OCD & Anxiety

[TrueBlue23]

Hi All,I've begun to realise that the feelings of anxiety that OCD can cause , although strong and overwhelming, will always subside at some point and that that Intensity of emotion is only temporary. You just need to ride the storm and it will calm down eventually.

I remember reading a quote in a self help book once about the mind being like a reflection in a lake. If the lake is choppy and there are ripples then you don't get a clear reflection. Once the lake becomes still though then the reflection is clear.

Similarly if your mind is full of thoughts and anxiety then you are not getting a clear picture and rational viewpoint of your current situation. Best to let the mind calm down and then you will see a clearer picture and feel more at ease with yourself.

I experienced this today at work and felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety over a silly thought that I'd had, and was worried it wouldn't go away and would stop me from getting on with my day. Initially the fear and anxiety overwhelmed me for a short while but I soon realised it was just the feeling of anxiety that was the issue and not the actual thought, and realising this soon helped me calm down.

It's not a nice experience and it does make you feel like you're going mad at times, but that's just the strength of the anxiety and once you realise it's just a feeling that's causing the distress and not the actual thought then you're on the way to a calmer mind.

[deValentin]

You're absolutely right. It's not the actual thought that's disturbing. It's the effect it has on us, and the effect thoughts have on us depends partly on our present state of mind.

For instance, whether we just won the lottery, are told our love is reciprocal, practiced meditation for few hours, or had a few drinks, the same thoughts won't have the same effect on us.

[Lauragbr]

oh absolutely! I can totally relate. I have also noticed in periods of anxiety I “ look” for something wrong and then create it!!

[TrueBlue23 in reply to Lauragbr]

I agree with this. When I'm in an anxious state I'm almost looking out for a trigger and pre-empting it.

[Lauragbr in reply to TrueBlue23]

And I found this makes things worse!!

[deValentin in reply to Lauragbr]

You're right. The anxiety stimulates the imagination, and vice versa. It's why they call it the OCD loop!

[EchoesEchoing]

Great insight and so true. Feelings are not necessarily accurate indicators of reality (especially in those with anxiety disorders), and they always change over time - that's the nature of any bodily response.