Anxiety/OCD fears are taking over me - OCD Support

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Anxiety/OCD fears are taking over me

Marc0133 profile image
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I don't know what to do anymore. Ever since the beginning of April, where some personal issues happened, anxiety and supposed OCD has hit me like a freight train. I say OCD because I'm constantly doing mental rituals, repeating words and phrases that ease my anxiety in my head and avoiding doing anything I feel that may make my fears come true. I have autism so maybe that explains it as well. Its gotten to the point where I'm afraid to talk about these things to my therapist because, again, I'm afraid my fears will actually happen. It never use to be this bad. Now there's something I want to do related to my hobbies but I can't because it has something that will trigger my anxiety. Any advice? Thanks

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Sallyskins profile image
Sallyskins

It's typical of OCD to interrupt your enjoyment of your hobbies. Personal issues and crises can often trigger OCD to step up its intensity. I can't remember if you're on medication, but if you're not, consider it. Or consider taking inositol, which another person on this forum posted about a while back. It's available at health food stores, no prescription needed, and is safe. Side effects are apparently few. Studies have borne out its effective in OCD.

Try to cut down the mental rituals bit by bit. They can be irksome, and a chore, so anything that whittles them away is helpful.

It's difficult to keep busy when you're full of anxiety, but do what you can. Just doing a few household chores, if you can manage them, can make you feel a bit better.

It does get easier, the more you can do. I remember being so bad I could hardly move from the sofa. Get out of the house if you can. Gradually it should recede into the background and you should be able to do what you enjoy again.

Marc0133 profile image
Marc0133 in reply to Sallyskins

Thanks.

It is hard though. Its funny because, before COVID, I was able to manage my life and rituals just fine. I am on sertraline 50mg. I'm starting to get a bit stressed with it. And as I said, I'm now afraid to say these fears out loud because I'm afraid they may come true or something. But thanks for your reply.

Sallyskins profile image
Sallyskins in reply to Marc0133

The 50 mg of sertraline is actually a very low dose. Cases of OCD often require a hefty dose, like 200 mg, which is normally the maximum. I'm actually on 300 mg. So it might be worth asking your doctor about an increase of dose.

It's often difficult to voice what OCD is telling you, in case it becomes real. It's as though saying it makes it feel concrete. So I know where you're coming from here. But it really doesn't make it real.

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