Getting better, but not myself

[Lauragbr]

Hi all,

I’ve been dealing with this latest relapse a few months and I can feel I’m getting better. Yet I just don’t feel like myself a lot of the time. Can anyone relate? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[LiveOutLove_22]

Hey I feel the same. I’ve been in ERP therapy for about 4 or 5 months now. And I love my therapist. I feel I’m making great strides and progress and so does my therapist and my family and friends. But even though I’m getting better I still I think it’s because OCD has taken a hold of my identity for so long that’s it’s hard to find out who I am without it. It’s almost like I’m starting my whole life over again relearning everything again. It’s stressful and chaotic especially when you have friends and family members that are moving on with their lives and you’re still trying to figure out yours. Anyways I relate a lot to what your saying.

[Lauragbr in reply to LiveOutLove_22]

Thanks for your reply. May I ask if this is your first experience with OCD? I’ve had it off and on since age 15 , I’m 69 now but didn’t get the proper help till I was in my 50’s. I’ve had many years since then that have been great. But this is the second relapse I have had since 2006.

[LiveOutLove_22 in reply to Lauragbr]

I probably had OCD all my life. I’ve always struggled with anxiety even since I was little kid. I got diagnosed officially with OCD in 2016 or so. But at the beginning of this year I finally sought out help. I have contamination OCD so and I know people that have personally done ERP therapy and it’s worked from them. I refused to take medicine and I was seeing a therapist off on but they weren’t specialized OCD now I have a therapist that specializes in ERP and I love her. Since hitting a low point in December. I am since on medicine and I’m actually taking it which a huge accomplishment and I’m in the right therapy for it. So progress is being made but I have long way to go but it’s nice to know I’ m not alone in all this thanks to this community.

[Lauragbr in reply to LiveOutLove_22]

Thanks for sharing your story. I’m on meds and I also have a great OCD therapist. Psychotherapy does not help OCD.

[LiveOutLove_22]

Well thank you for sharing yours. I’m glad you are on meds and have a great OCD therapist that makes a huge difference. And I agree with that. I wish you the best on your journey.

[Lauragbr in reply to LiveOutLove_22]

The same to you!

[Hidden]

I definitely understand and it can take to get back to what we can our baseline. Please be kind and gentle to you. I love using self compassion. Kristen Neff book is excellent and she has a great website. I myself have had I ocd spiral recently and am slowly getting back....so important to be kind and gentle to you

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[Lauragbr in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I totally agree! Good luck to you!