Hi, Im new here.

[MovingForward1]

Here is my story:

Been dealing with OCD for about 2 years now. It's been one hell of a roller-coaster to say the least. One day I went from living a “normal life” to then being stuck in my head, trying to solve all kinds of problems.

- I was ruminating about being a racist, pedophile, killer, cat hater, incest, bug killer (you name it).

- I was ruminating on playing football the "right" way, thinking the right way, solving problems the right way.

I wanted so badly that my thoughts and feelings would go away, but they didnt no matter what I did. Every time I got comfort from finding an answer to one of my problems, a new problem would pop up straight after.

I was stuck in this loop for over a year until I figured out (with help from my parents) that I should get some professional help. Enough was enough I couldn't live like this any longer, I wasn't living life any longer, I was living in my head.

So after 3 months of waiting I finally got some help. In Norway we are lucky that there is a dedicated team specialized in treating OCD. It's called the Bergen 4-Day treatment. They introduced me into exposure work.

Exposure work(ERP):

So rather than trying to solve all the million problems I had, I learned to confront my fears rather than trying to remove them with a comforting “bulletproof” solution.

F.example:

Started watching horror movies

writing scripts about my biggest fear becoming true.

go on dates, hang out with friends, play football.

Situation now:

I have made a lot of progress after getting help from professionals. I am a much more present person than before and the future is looking bright!

Everything isn't perfect though; from time to time relapses happen and I start ruminating again. Instead of seeing a relapse as a downfall, I like to see it as an opportunity to learn.

I hope in this community we can help each other out and overcome our fears