Time it takes to deescalate?

[fromzerotopanic]

I've posted a few times but don't seem to get many responses so just eventually delete the question. Perhaps my OCD thoughts don't connect with anyone else (which is scary because I always do better if I know there are others out there like me!). Anyway, I'll try again with a new question. If you have a major 'flare', 'escalation', whatever you call it when you basically become so overtaken with anxiety over OCD thoughts that it shakes you to your core, how long does it take for your physical symptoms to eventually calm down? I had a major flare from a trigger and eventually have been able to come off the ledge somewhat, but I still feel that dread inside, like something is 'there'. I'd liken it to if you've had a stomach bug and the main event is over, but you still feel 'off' for a couple days. How long does it take to shake the physical symptoms to go away, and what can I do to help it along? Seems like it's a 'catch 22' type thing! If I can get my thoughts calmed down completely, the physical side would go away, but as long as there are lingering physical components, I feel something isn't right so I can't completely mentally let go! Thanks~

[Hidden]

It will come back again and again I'm so sorry to say, sometimes without it ever going back to normal until you face your ocd and stand up to it then it becomes little compared to the freedom you will experience. It's like bliss! But it usually never just goes away in my experience on its own. Of course stress can make it flare up worse but it always is lingering waiting to pounce. It sucks. ERP is the best thing you can do to get free of it....not that it will stay gone forever but you can live above it without the anxiety. That's priceless.

[fromzerotopanic in reply to Hidden]

I’m going through therapy and definitely notice After a major flare up from a trigger that I can’t seem to get “under control” very well, even if the physical symptoms have diminished some from the initial “attack”, I notice they come back a day or two before therapy. I guess it’s because I might have brought the physical symptoms down from 100% to maybe a manageable 30% a week after the event, but dreading therapy because I know I’m going to need to relive the thought/event that caused the massive flare up as I discuss with my therapist! Sometimes I can go long periods without flaring up. But sometimes, like this last one, it’s so bad the physical symptoms, uneasy anxious stomach, feeling of dread/doom, can seem to last for weeks!

[Hidden in reply to fromzerotopanic]

Well hopefully as you go through therapy it will be less time feeling that. I wish you all the best!

[Mcfly64]

Hello I’ve just seen your post today. I can relate very much to your experiences and have done many times on my ocd journey.ArabianFallon is right in what they say. We have to take each day at a time and just hang in there it will get better . I have just started Erp with my psychologist.

[Sun71]

I am going through the same thing right now,and I don’t think those feelings calm down completely until you get support from an ocd specialist,it will go away when you learn there isn’t a threat,I can tell you the problem I have is when I finally start to feel better something else pops in and here we go again.

[fromzerotopanic in reply to Sun71]

Exactly! I guess it's part of the whole anxiety thing...feels like our mind doesn't want us to be calm or happy, so as soon as it sees we are doing ok, it's Showtime! It's always hard to remember what we're supposed to do/not do when it strikes, especially when just really learning the techniques. Things tend to spiral out of control for awhile.

[Trishly1234]

For me it can take days and I’m physically exhausted x

[Trishly1234]

I found an article that helped me understand this - hyperstimulation on anxietycentre.com - sorry response is short but I’m actually in this ‘come down’ state now x

[fromzerotopanic in reply to Trishly1234]

Thank you, Ill check out the site you suggested!

[Phoenyx]

If I'm on meds, it takes me about three days to calm down after a flare-up. If I'm not on any meds, I literally don't calm down...at all. I've recommended in another chat a book that tremendously helped me throughout my OCD journey- it's called Overcoming unwanted intrusive thoughts. You might want to check it out. I even read it when I have a flare-up to calm myself down quicker.

[fromzerotopanic in reply to Phoenyx]

Thank you, Phoenyx, I will look into the book. It's such a tough struggle, but the help I'm getting on this site has been immeasurable in the short time I've been on it!