Hopeless situation

[OCD-Goose]

I have been dealing with very severe OCD for 8 years. I was diagnosed when I was 15, and my life has been completely hindered and stopped since then. I have already tried antidepressants and therapy, but nothing has worked. Right now, I can’t really stand it. My life feels unbearable, and I see nothing but years being wasted. It doesn’t seem to end anytime soon. Has anyone gone through the exact same thing, or is it something very complicated that only I am experiencing? I am very sure that my situation will not get better. It has been a very long time without any improvements, and the thought of wasting what is left of my life is unbearable for me. And neither me nor anyone I know will do anything just waiting for much worse issues doing nothing. My day is nothing but sleeping and even when I wake up I can't accept or change it. Life is moving on for everyone else but mine is doomed

[SweetCookie24]

Hi, OCD-Goose. I felt very much like you during the latter part of 2024. My OCD was getting worse every hour, every day and there seemed to be no hope in sight. Thankfully, I no longer feel this way.

Part of what helped me was getting out of the circumstances that were perpetuating my OCD behaviors (the job I was in). The second has been receiving treatment, including medication and meeting with an OCD-specialized therapist. It was very important to go to a therapist who knew how to treat OCD, as the regular talk therapy I initially took didn't know nor was really helping me with my OCD. The last thing that helped me realize I wasn't alone in my disease was going to support groups with OCA. They meet almost every day in the U.S. by phone and video call. Hearing others speak about their experience certainly helped pull me out of the delusion of isolation my OCD was causing (i.e. feeling alone in it).

My anxiety and OCD have gotten so much better over the past couple of months because of these things. They've been a growing light at the end of the dark tunnel I was in. My family and I have been so encouraged by the changes we've seen in me because of the help I've received. I certainly didn't think this was all possible three months ago, but I've thankfully come so far.

Please do not give up <3 You are so worthy of existence and there is more beyond the lies your depression and OCD are telling you.

I'm including a link to OCA meeting times if you are interested (they are anonymous).

obsessivecompulsiveanonymou...

[Coffeelove4444]

Keep pushing forward. Don’t put time limits on yourself. Try to do one thing each day. It is important to have a routine. OCD brain loves to be centre stage. Never give up 😀

[FirstResponder23]

hello,

I’m sorry to hear you are going through a rough time. I want you to know that I too have felt terrible and just like that before. There used to be so much doubt and not sure if things would ever get better. I had learned through therapy that that is another thing OCD likes to attack. And it usually does that for me when it gets louder again. Many people have to go through different medications at different dosages. And some people have to see a few different therapists before they find the right one.

I myself have had my medication changed (higher dosages) at least 2 times before I found a dose that was right for me. And through my years and moving out to college and back home and then to my current home I have seen a few different therapists due to my living area. All of them were great and it was years of learning pieces from each of them. I also continually check in with my current therapist even when OCD is quieter. This is helpful because it’s a “tune up” for maybe things I have forgotten to do or stay on top of which is ways to do when you’re feeling good.

I know how hard and defeating it can feel. I know how laying in bed is all that you want to do. I learned that when that happens, I have to dig deep and force myself to get out of bed and start my day regardless of how I’m feeling. It sounds impossible, but once you get one challenge done, it makes doing the next one better. And before you know it, things start becoming easier.

[Sallyskins]

I've felt really bad - so bad that I've barely been able to move from the sofa. Concentrating on anything was almost impossible - I found myself almost catatonic. I could barely eat, too.

But it can get better, and with a little help, it does. Antidepressants can work wonders, but they don't work well for all OCD patients, and it's possible that a different antidepressant or a higher dose could work for you.

Therapy - CBT - is hard work and can be painful, but it does help. A little pain, a lot of gain!

Perhaps start by making sure you get out of bed each day, get dressed, and try to get a little nourishment into you. I know it's hard to do when you don't feel up to it, but it can make you feel a little better.

Perhaps investigate a treatment that has had some promising results in clinical studies. It's called inositol, and though I haven't tried it myself, it appears to have good results with really bad OCD. It's a natural substance, safe to take, and is almost free from side effects.

It hasn't been licensed to treat OCD as yet, but it's available over the counter in some health food shops and drugstores. It does take some weeks to start working, and high doses are needed - about 18 grams a day.

There is plenty of stuff on the internet, including the IOCDF website, about it. If buying over the internet, make sure that it's from a reputable source.

I'm afraid there is no magic bullet for OCD, and all treatments require a little effort on your part, when you least feel like making the effort.

Inositol sounds promising, though, and once you feel able to do a bit more, you can start stretching yourself, and making an effort.

Many of us on this forum have felt as bad as you do now, but you can get over it. And start making plans for yourself - study at college or university, hobbies and interests, work. Don't demand too much of yourself but make the most of any progress you can manage!

[deValentin]

It looks like you lost hope in your potential OCD recovery. It’s normal to lose hope if you suffer emotionally and don’t see any improvements. I lost hope before. What did I do to regain hope? I took small steps towards a more satisfying life and learn to be more adaptable in spite of the difficulties.

One loses hope when one faces an unpleasant reality, even unbearable at times, and doesn’t see any way to change it. One then feels trapped. Action and patience help to free oneself from that trap because contributing to a more satisfying situation helps to tolerate a less than perfect life, and vice versa. Here are the small steps I took in order to feel better.

1. I decided what were the best actions to take in my life.

2. I hesitated for fear of making the wrong decision (typical of OCD).

3. I overcame my hesitations by telling myself that if I wanted to deliberate longer, I had to make it the subject of a decision.

4. I couldn’t make deliberating longer the subject of a decision because I knew I had enough reasons to act right now.

5. So, I went ahead with what I had decided to do, and, in the end, I was glad I did it.

This is how I felt more in control of my life, and regained some faith in the future. I hope this helps you soon get over the feeling of doom you’re experiencing now.