OCD attack lasted 3 weeks now afraid of the anxiety and thought

[beth196]

I'm going to my first OCD support group tonight. Now I'm afraid of the anxiety returning, so I let it just come if it wants. This disorder is so crazy. I took clonazepam for 3 weeks and now weaned my self off. I"m down to .25mg and don't even feel it. I take lexapro 20mg and I don't want to increase my dose so I watched alot of CBT videos. I have mostly pure O. But I can ruminate and raise my anxiety level. This was an attack of OCD. But the anxiety level this caused me was ridiculous. I'm much better but afraid of the anxiety returning and controlling me again. How do people deal with this? I'll still workout, see friends, go to stores even if my anxiety is raised. So sick of this disorder. Happy but exhausted.

Thanks

[greenpigeon]

Hi

I have contamination ocd and I’ve been actively making an effort to get better recently.

I’ve been on my medication for a few months and I’m not too sure if it’s helping or not.

Like you, I’m at the point where I’m pushing through and continuing with my life the best I can, but the anxiety is still unbearable. I think the only answer is to push through. I also think it really helps to have a weekly check in with a professional. Not necessarily for treatment, but just as an outlet. Do you talk to the people around you about your anxieties?

Hope you’re well :))

[beth196 in reply to greenpigeon]

I have a wonderful husband and I'm going to ask for a cbt therapist for pureO OCD. I've been on Prozac for years and lexapro for at least 12 years. This time it overwhelmed me. Thanks for replying and please stay in touch. Wishing you well.

[Rougefleur]

Hi Beth 196! I suppose that all of us who experience OCD and panic attacks do get really sick of going through the fear and anxiety that it causes. I applaud you for "pushing through", which is what I find is most effective when those unreasonable fears return and threaten to overtake me. I have been suffering from this condition since childhood, and learning to cope with it and live a fairly normal life has truly been the challenge of my lifetime. Although we are not ever "cured" of it, we can learn techniques to help us to push back and not let it overtake our lives and our passions. I have found, for myself, the most effective way to deal with it is by having meds prescibed to reduce the level of anxiety I suffer from daily, (I have been on Lexapro for years) and talking with a CBT counselor on a weekly basis. I now have these sessions by phone, as I am still recovering from triggers that set off my Contagion OCD during the height of Covid. But I am so much better due to the help and support I have received. I admire you for reaching out to an OCD support group, but there are other options as well if that scenario raises your anxiety level too much. The most important thing is to be able to talk freely about what this condition feels like and how it affects what you need in your life to be happy. Lastly, I now handle talking about my OCD by being direct with people about having the condition. I consider it like any other disorder that people cannot help having, but have to work hard to overcome. And I am often amazed at the number of folks who respond with "I have it too." So exercising, seeing friends, going about our daily routines is all a part of that recovery. It takes strength, resilience and a whole lotta faith to achieve a good quality of life with OCD, but it is possible. Wishing you well on your journey.