Hello everyone!: Hello, I joined this... - My OCD Community

My OCD Community

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Hello everyone!

Riki_ profile image
26 Replies

Hello, I joined this community today to learn tips or tools to avoid this condition I'm recently struggling with. What are way into dealing with compulsive or intrusive thoughts?

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Riki_ profile image
Riki_
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26 Replies
LuvSun profile image
LuvSun

Welcome Rafael! You have come to a great place with the forum. You will get lots of help and suggestions. I recommend you search through the forum on past posts regarding your particular worries. Are you getting any professional therapy? There is also a wealth of info online and through books on OCD.

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply toLuvSun

I'm glad to hear, what are good picks I could book from now on? I'm not too great in finding material related to it, I've been watching some videos from Doc Snipes but no clue where should I look next besides this forum. I'm not getting any therapy currently, I plan on getting psychotherapy evaluation in January and tell them about this condition.

LuvSun profile image
LuvSun in reply toRiki_

One of my favorite books is “Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder”by Jonathan Grayson. There are many others- just google OCD books.

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply toLuvSun

Very good read, thank you

TomFed profile image
TomFed

Books:

"Rewire Your OCD brain" by Catherine Pittman and William Youngs.

"Brain Lock" by Jeffrey Schwartz. Dr.Schwartz is the pioneer of OCD treatment, here you can read more about the 4-step technique he developed together with his patients

hope4ocd.com/foursteps.php

discovermagazine.com/mind/r...

I also listen to a few OCD and anxiety themed podcasts. You can subscribe to them on Apple podcasts or other pod apps like Podbean:

"The OCD Stories"

"OCD Straight Talk"

If you feel it is quite likely you have OCD, I'd suggest you to look for the ERP therapist in your area or online through apps like NOCD. ERP is the golden standard for OCD psychotherapy treatment. It's not a one-in-all answer, but most OCD folks who learn to apply ERP tools in their daily lives find it tremendously helpful.

Hope this helps!

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply toTomFed

Thank you, unfortunately I can't afford to buy pod apps to listen to or buy enough to get through therapy on my own. I'll try to read those pages later today

TomFed profile image
TomFed in reply toRiki_

Fortunately, my mentioned podcasts and podcast apps are for free.

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply toTomFed

Noted, I'll give them a listen for a while

Natureloverpeace profile image
Natureloverpeace

One of the most recommended books by OCD experts is Freedom from OCD by Jonathan Grayson, Ph.D. iocdf.org is a great resource.

Mcfly64 profile image
Mcfly64

Hi Rafael. A book called Brainlock by Jeffrey M Schwarz could be helpful as well.

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply toMcfly64

Great, I'll make sure this is read too

FirstResponder23 profile image
FirstResponder23

Hello,

The biggest advice I can offer is to never ditch one strategy. Sometimes a strategy will work and sometimes it doesn’t. OCD is constantly changing in order to try and get our attention. The biggest thing that has helped is labeling the ocd as something external. Picturing it like a physical blob. And then from there having a conversation with it. Telling it that I hear all the things it’s trying to tell me and worry about. I then boss it back and tell it I do not have time to listen to its complaints and that I am moving on with my day.

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply toFirstResponder23

Glad to hear, my strategy I've been seeing is to stopping the "automation" of everything I do has been making me feel way less stressed out. It's a little bit of the opposite for me, the ocd adult brain is the one that's hovering and talking over that emotional mess.

FirstResponder23 profile image
FirstResponder23 in reply toRiki_

That’s good you found something that helps. And yes, I know the emotional part very well. My ocd loves to attach itself to the emotions and get me riled up. But I have learned (and still working on) taking the emotion out and leaning into uncertainty rather then sitting in the fear and other emotions that come along.

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply toFirstResponder23

Anything helps, this is great for helping me to stop thinking that I need to be "ready" in order to be expressing those emotions.

tenplay1 profile image
tenplay1 in reply toRiki_

Regarding emotions - I find that when faced with an unexpected situation that I don't like, I have trouble controlling my emotions without someone noticing. The OCD feeds on this and I must quickly come back in the moment in order to hide my emotions.

tenplay1 profile image
tenplay1 in reply toFirstResponder23

I like this idea of thinking. I picture OCD as a demon. It's a brat and always wants to have control.

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply totenplay1

I get the feeling, mine is an angry adult trying to people please and getting rid of things that make me happy for someone else

tenplay1 profile image
tenplay1 in reply toRiki_

Yes, it likes to take what we like the most.

Sallyskins profile image
Sallyskins

So far no one has come up with a cure for OCD but it can be managed, and you can live an (almost) normal life.

Keep busy without overdoing things, as OCD loves idleness.

Try to push yourself to go against the OCD - but go at your own pace. To stretch yourself just a little is helpful. Then stretch yourself a little more the next day. Gradually doing this helps you to reclaim your life.

If OCD has you in its grip, remember that the anxiety will swell and increase and then subside. Don't keep hold of the OCD thought - don't go over it in your head, or try to rationalize it. Don't push it away, either - the more you do, the more it bounces back. Acknowledge it, then ignore it - it's as though it gets fed up with your not paying it enough attention, and then it goes away of its own accord.

For the intrusive thoughts, try Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts by Sally M Winston and Martin N Self - it can be bought off the internet.

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply toSallyskins

I try to stay in the present by not dwelling and enabling that ocd urge, but when I try to be busy, I end up rattling myself over staying calm. Urge surfing sounds similar to what you say, mind you when the anxiety peaks I step back for 5 mins then go back to what I was doing.

I've been recommended a few books but I don't think I can spend any allowance right now.

Sallyskins profile image
Sallyskins in reply toRiki_

I note that you're in Puerto Rico. It may be possible to get cheap second hand books from abebooks.com - but postage might be quite expensive from the USA.

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply toSallyskins

Honestly, in the future I might be able to, but right now I'm not a good place to spend money on myself, I'll note this down though

Natureloverpeace profile image
Natureloverpeace in reply toRiki_

If buying books isn’t an option right now due to cost, Jonathan Grayson, one of the most respected OCD experts, has some free, short videos on YouTube. Also, ocdchallenge.com is a free online program created by an OCD specialist.

Riki_ profile image
Riki_ in reply toNatureloverpeace

Ah, I'll keep those in mind as well

PaperTigers profile image
PaperTigers

I recommend Mark Dejesus on YouTube. He approaches things from a Christian perspective but has very good information. I wish you the best.

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