Does OCD make you restless?

[Zen108]

When my OCD is flaring, I find it difficult to sit and rest. Does anyone else feel this way? How do you cope?

[SCC1]

I think one's mind can be so wrapped up in thoughts that it's natural for your body to react. It may even happen without you realizing it. When I have my "episodes" and "come out" of them, I notice that my body had been restless. I don't know what to do to stop it, but just letting you know it is probably a common reaction to the stress of the thoughts.

[deValentin]

During an OCD spike, I indeed feel restless because I won't rest until I figure out the problem that's making my mind uncomfortable.

How do I cope with it? I tell my conscience or whatever part of my brain that's sending me discomfort signals to be at rest, I'll deal with the problem in my own time. The idea is not to let my torments prevent me from doing what I really want to do during the course of the day.

Consider, for instance, the case of a security guard whose responsibility is to make rounds in a factory nighttime every hour. When time comes to make his next round, he's playing a video game and keeps on playing instead of doing his round, telling himself, ‘I’ll do my duty when I finish my game’. Who is under the most pressure to complete the game as quickly as possible, the person who feels a little bit guilty playing video games instead of doing rounds, or the one who doesn’t feel guilty at all?

Likewise, if ruminations or compulsions prevent me from assuming normal responsibilities and I don’t perceive, in the moment, any other way to return to a more reasonable life, it looks like my conscience drives me to persist in my ruminations or compulsions to bring them to the quickest successful conclusion possible.

[Mom2DnJ]

Morning yoga/meditation, GABA, L-Theanine and Magnesium daily, daily physical activity like jogging/walking and Melatonin at night. Training the brain really helps.

[Joseph46]

This happens to me all the time - now it’s almost just how I regularly feel. When the rumination’s start or the intrusive thoughts I just acknowledge them for what they are (thoughts) and try to move on with my day without trying to stop them. Basically just let them be and visit them like passing clouds in the sky. Deep breathing helps as well but it is a daily battle sometimes.

I hate these flare ups. I’ve been in an OCD “flare up” for about a year now and it is exhausting some days.

Lastly a good sleep routine makes a huge difference.

[Spud-u-Like1982]

I definitely get that too with the OCD, but then I also have ADHD, albeit without most of the hyperactivity element.I usually find it eventually passes, but if there's a way to make it pass sooner, I'd definitely be interested in hearing it.