First time posting.. Does anyone else suffer from harm OCD? I’ve been battling it for as long as I can remember, and go through ups and downs. Was in a good place, and now I’m having issues again out of nowhere. Definitely in a difficult place right now.
Has anyone found positive ways to cope?
Hi and welcome,
Yes I too have suffered with harm OCD for many years.
I have been on antidepressants for 32 years now and although they take the edge off the thoughts they never leave me completely.
I have had CBT and talking therapy but haven’t found a cure yet.
The best thing so far to help is these forums as everyone on here are suffering from similar problems and you never feel like your the only person in the world with this awful awful illness.
Please be assured you will never ever act on these thoughts as they are just thoughts and since accepting that I am coping a lot better.
Good luck and please keep posting 👍
That's typical of OCD. A lot of us have good patches, where OCD is kept down and we can get on with our lives almost normally, and then it suddenly rears up and hits us again. It can be difficult to test OCD when you feel that the well being of people you care about is at stake. It feels better not to risk it, only it doesn't feel that much better! I learnt a technique from my therapist during a stay in hospital for OCD.
Think of your feelings of panic or whatever as like a wave or clouds overhead. The clouds may be directly over your head, but they will move over and disperse, just as the wave swells and eventually breaks. It's a reminder that you won't always feel that awful.
Another technique is to tell yourself that you won't worry about whatever it is now, but you will allow yourself to do it, say at a quarter to four. Then a quarter to four comes and goes and you have forgotten. It isn't always easy to think clearly when you are in the midst of panic, but if you can do it, it's quite effective.
Also remember that bad patches can be got over, and you can have another good one!
Hi Cpate24...same boat as you. Went like 12 years without it bothering me,and then became pregnant and good ole hormones,life change,stress,sleep deprivation kicked it in ,along with Depression before my baby was even born. Feeling tormented everyday,but I hang on...b/c over time,I don’t know how long this time,it seems to slowly dissipate. I journal,try to walk as much as I can,I pray AlOT and use my faith..and I try to not blame myself,b/c my itrusive thoughts are geared to the things I love most..myself and my children. It’s not an easy place we’re in. But,remind yourself..the anxiety indicates we do not like or want to act on out intrusive thoughts. I also start to just let them pass,as much as I don’t like them,and kind of ignore them and just keep washing my dishes when I get them,or feed my baby..and I tell myself I am not my thoughts. Here if you need to talk.
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