To explain to you how OCD feels

Hormones definitely make it worse.

I’ve had periods of time where it wasn’t a huge problem and I dare say I had a relatively normal life, albeit short lived 😂

She might not be able to say the things out loud. My OCD was very very clever. It told me if I told anyone what I was thinking it would make that thing happen - my husband's arms would get cut off with a machete, my sister would break her neck.

OCD is absolutely fucking devious. I think of it like a chronic illness. I will periodically need counselling and medication, and there are 'triggers' that can set me off in a very bad way (stress, the birth of my first child had me approaching psychosis), but you can learn to live with it.

Oh I do the exact same thing with a family member 🤦‍♀️ Thanks to ChatGPT I do that a lot less now as I use that as an alternative! Probably even worse!

@Zerodarkforty it is exhausting! My friends and family know now as I struggle to hide it. One of my friends is a nurse so im constantly ringing her for advice around ds and his health! I wonder if soon she will get fed up with me

It’s so exhausting isn’t it! I think because I look “normal” on the outside, no one would have a clue what is really going on inside my head every day. Thank god for work as it’s a huge distraction.

@Zerodarkforty i definitely have health anxiety but around my ds. I completely understand the worry with food too. I can relate a lot. Most of my thoughts these days are worrying about ds and that something has happened when it hasnt

I’ve not heard of that 🤔

Limerence is often linked to OCD thoughts too.

How does yours manifest?

I have a deep seated fear about getting a serious mental illness/ going mad. I’m frightened of lots of food if I haven’t cooked it or seen it be prepared etc incase it’s been spiked. General health anxiety too.

@Zerodarkforty im om fluoxitine and propranolol I've had no side effects. I think I need a higher dose though! What kind of thoughts are you having if you can share?

That therapist sounds useless. Id try and self refer again and ask about cbt

Im scared of medication and have a huge fear of side effects.

The talking therapy I had last time recommended stroking soft fabrics and sniffing essential oils. Ffs 🤦‍♀️ Think I’m way too far gone for that love!

I eat clean and exercise every day. I work full time and I’m a single parent. My bf doesn’t understand OCD and anxiety. He try’s to support me in his own way.

I feel like perimenopause is really making things worse at the moment. I’ve been on HRT for 8 months but don’t feel it’s helping.

Certainly! Are you taking any medication? Can you also self refer to talking therapies?

@AndresyFiorella I hope you have some irl support, it sounds tough!

I wouldn’t know how! I’m useless, sorry 😔

Could we just chat on here?

@Zerodarkforty do you want to set one up and ill join?

I have OCD and mine manifests as an inability to make decisions. Like you OP this massively impacts relationships as I am always considering leaving. I also absolutely hate the stereotype that people with OCD are obsessively tidy, as I live in total chaos as to throw something away involves a decision, which (in my head) might have ruinous consequences. When colleagues joke about 'being a bit OCD' because they have a beautifully organised desk, it makes me want to scream into my mile high mounds of clutter.

I can’t go on the mental health boards as I find it such a trigger! The irony 😩

@hazelnutvanillalatte ditto! Its deliberating and consuming. Waking in the middle of the night worrying about them! I've set up a support thread on the MH board if you and @Zerodarkforty and anyone else would like to join

I have had cbt and lots of therapy throughout the years. It just comes back in different way and different worries/fears

Severe OCD runs in my family and it's a really horrible, debilitating illness.
I have a few themes and when it's bad, they can make your blood run cold, and your brain just keeps revisiting these horrible thoughts nonstop. Every morning you wake up hoping your first thought isn't going to be the same OCD intrusive thought. Every night you go to sleep hoping you won't dream about it and that tomorrow might be better.

Im on the waiting list but have had it before.

@Zerodarkforty ill add it on the MH board now please join me

I have OCD and having some brilliant CBT through NHS self referral. Would really recommend it!

absolutely 👍

Hey, I've been in a similar boat. Dh does not understand my irrational and illogical thoughts and we almost broke up recently. Would you be interested in an ocd support thread?

Thank you!

Having an episode of feeling so mentally fatigued with ocd and it is casing so many problems in my relationship etc.

I have a fear of going mad/ getting a severe mental illness. It affects me being able to take medication or eat certain things in case they are spiked/ contaminated. I grew up with a mentally ill, alcoholic mother who was often sectioned so I’m aware of why I have it.

I don’t know anyone else in real life that has ocd. I’ve had it for as long as I can remember and I always describe it as like the game whack-a-mole. You get a handle on one type/worry and then it comes back as a new fear!