Ocd is kicking me hard

[Strongest123]

Hello everyone on here. I’ve been freakin struggling lately. I’ve had OCD, since childhood and lately those negative intrusive thoughts are getting the best of me. I had a death in my family. My brother passed away in January and I’m trying to stay as strong as I can. But the OCD, that led to my severe depression has definitely been really elevated lately. I’m on meds, and I do see a psychotherapist but sometimes I think I need more help or maybe new therapists. SAMSON

[LISAFOUR]

I apologise I started a long long letter aka book .. to send you ,...but lost it sumhow ! So let me just tell you vitamin b12 ...there's a over counter supplement brand name Natrol and stress and anxiety mood &stress day &/night ...but just the daytime works for my son who is third year from day he was diagnosed with o.c.d. that with a great e.r.p..therapist.. which only two in the two states round us in neb and iowa . Both were good ,one very very good. Justin weeks at unmc in omaha and Chris wicks also in omaha ,ne. Those two are so far only relief my sons has gotten. Which he maintains his life as attending college now and rides his dirtbikes at tracks. Goes in public, and socializing. Again with few friends from high school . Jasen couldn't do none of these things before taking the supplement and erp ..!!!!! Remember,. You MUST TAKE VITAMIN B12 OR THE ANIEXTY SUPPLEMENT FOR 3-4 WEEKS WITH SCHEULDED TWICE A WEEK ERP SESSIONS AT 1 HOUR SESSIONS . WE SEEN CHANGES. AND JASEN STARTED TI GAIN AND TAKE DOWN THE INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS. HE STILL HAS A FEW THINGS THAT BOTHER HIM BUT NOTHING LIKE IT WAS A YEAR AGO I WAS EXAUSTED OF ALL DR PLACES AND PRICES AND ANY CURES. ..THAT THERE BEING ONLY RELIEF AND NO CURES BUT LIFE CAN GET SO MUCH BETTER AND IT WILL ... U CAN TRY DR JABOUR IN CALINFORNIA AND ROGERS HOSPITAL IN WISCONSIN AND T.M.S...IF ID HAVE ENUF MONEY I HAD THAT DONE . BUT OUTPOCKET COSTS$ 15.000. WHICH IS CHUMP CHANGE. BUT LIKE MILLION FOR A SINGLE MOM ON CASHIERS WAGES

[Strongest123 in reply to LISAFOUR]

Thank you so much for your support. I surely appreciate it.

[cooperhawk]

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling and sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. I don't know about medications, I've heard that they sometimes need adjustment, but it may worth exploring a new therapist if you feel that your current one isn't working out. I feel the same way actually and am currently looking for a new counselor. I could be wrong, but I think sometimes a new outside perspective can help. I hope that you are able to find moments of relief from the OCD. Sorry again about your brother. Praying for you!

[Strongest123 in reply to cooperhawk]

Thank you so much. I’m seriously considering a few of my options

[RHCPfan]

Hi Strongest - I can’t imagine what you’re going through and I think anyone, OCD or not, would struggle. There is another option you might consider which is an inpatient program or a partial inpatient program for OCD. The McLean Institute has two such centers, one in Houston and one in Boston. I spent 6 weeks at the Houston one when I was at the end of my rope in a deep depression and it was helpful. They are costly but you can hire a company to try to get your insurance to pay for it. They may also be able to work with you on the finances.

[Strongest123 in reply to RHCPfan]

Thank you for your response. Did they do ERP?

[RHCPfan]

Yes. A lot. A typical day is like this:

8:45 AM - check in and goals group

9:00 AM - Group Therapy/Lecture on some aspect of OCD/depression/anxiety

10:00-12 - ERP block, about half of these are 1:1 with a therapist and half are self-directed

12-1 Lunch

1 - Group Therapy/Lecture on some aspect of OCD/depression/anxiety

2 - 1:1 meeting w a therapist 2x/wk where you set your behavior plan, which includes how you are doing ERP, 1:1 family therapy meeting during which your loved ones zoom in once a week, 1:1 psychiatry appt once a week

3-4:30 - ERP block again

4:30 - Goals group and checkout

I just did the day program, but if you are residential, they have dinner every evening, I think Thursdays they have takeout, and they have outings on the weekend. Usually during ERP block there were w few times a week where we’d do a group exposure by going to some public place.

When I initially went I was so scared it would be like One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, but most people with OCD, like yourself, are pretty normal, smart, and very kind. The friends I made have been invaluable.

I really endorse the experience for all OCD sufferers. There’s a lot of concomitant depression and anxiety too, so they can help with that as well.

[CaptainCrunch in reply to RHCPfan]

I may need to ask more about what the goal setting aspect looked like?

[RHCPfan in reply to CaptainCrunch]

You set and revisit most goals with your therapist when you meet with them every few days, but if something’s not working and you need to reset sooner than your scheduled meeting you can. You also set goals for every ERP block, but these are often just putting into motion the behavior plan you set with your therapist.

[CaptainCrunch in reply to RHCPfan]

In this last bout of depression. I set goals I believed I could achieve. I.e. get dressed, brush teeth, go for short walk.

Over time the list and the achievements has grown. Is this the type of goals you set with your therapist?

Unfortunately I can’t think or don’t want to think far past today, such as long term goals. I used to have tons of them but this depression makes cooking lunch for my kids such a heavy chore.

[RHCPfan in reply to CaptainCrunch]

Yeah, I totally understand. It’s mostly daily or weekly goals.

[RHCPfan in reply to RHCPfan]

Like… there are different types of goals. Goals group can be anything. For some people it was like, “go for a walk today” or “get out of bed before 10”, just something achievable. For some people further along it would be to do something really triggering and not engage in compulsions. Each ERP block, you set a plan for your exposure, then they encourage total response prevention. So, for someone with contamination fears, maybe they touch a public surface and only wash their hands once, then you work with counselors to try to move on with your day, even if it’s just to distract yourself with a game.

[CaptainCrunch in reply to RHCPfan]

That is a relief! I am typically hard on myself so “goals” means learn C Sharp or run a marathon, ugh.

[RHCPfan in reply to CaptainCrunch]

Honestly, in addition to gaining insight, I think just being in a setting with other adults is really helpful. Isolation, which is only natural when people are depressed or suffering, tends to exacerbate cognitive distortions and makes things worse.

[CaptainCrunch in reply to RHCPfan]

Yes! The challenges is finding the right people

[CaptainCrunch]

My heart breaks to hear about your loss. On top of that dealing with Mental illness, depression and OCD is the worst. Feel free to DM me anytime all I can do my best to empathize, listen and support… And encourage you that you are not alone in this season.

[Strongest123 in reply to CaptainCrunch]

Thank you so much I surely do appreciate the help