How do you cope with OCD/anxiety during this pandemic?

[vvxlwx]

I have gotten severe OCD and I feel anxious almost everyday during this pandemic. I feel like I am going insane. I’ve tried to stop myself from washing my hand that much and tried to stop those intrusive thoughts but they just won’t go away

[Elephanta20]

Sorry you're feeling like that. I 'm going through the same too. It is terible

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate]

Hey there,

I'm so sorry you're struggling. This pandemic has been hard for so many of us. I can definitely relate as a lot of my obsessions center around contamination.

What has helped me the most has been group therapy. It has kept me from feeling completely isolated in my darkest moments and my group holds me accountable in my recovery. I consider it the extra push I needed to truly get on the path to feeling better after the pandemic hit.

Are you currently in therapy?

[ocdbegone89]

I can relate. My OCD also flared up big time over the course of the pandemic. What I find strange is that on some days I obsess about COVID more than others, but this does not really correlate with a diferrence in how often I wash my hands. I still wash them excessively, but I managed to reduce the frequency enough for them to heal somewhat.

What helped me was decide on a certain way and length of time to wash them, when not in the moment, when my mind was more clear, and then, when the moment of washing my hands comes around, I push through the anxiety of it being not enough and trust my judgement from before. I still do it excessively, but it is nowhere near where it was before. It used to be about 200 times a day, now I got it down to 20 or so. It is hard to see a way out when you are in the thick of it, but there really is one.

My suggestion is try looking up a strategy or method that you think works for you, based on what is recommended and try to incrementally get close to carrying it out when you wash your hands. It will feel like you are putting your self in a huge amount of danger at first, but it will get better, the more you trust your judgement and subsequently realise that you did the right thing. You got this!