ocd

[mumofwantwomany]

I'm so sorry for posting again, I posted in mental health but it's quite quiet over there and I know there's more traffic here and I just need to get this off my chest :(

(I copied and pasted from my other post)
I'm not depressed atm (well, I have chronic depression but I'm not in a low period rn) but my ocd has never been worse. At least I think it's ocd but I've never been diagnosed with it, but what else can it be? My mind is buzzing with intrusive thoughts constantly and it just won't stop and I have to do everything in twos. Two showers in a row, two walks to the shop in a row, I'm so tired and I just want to hit and hit my head off the wall until it all goes away. I've had these thoughts ever since I was about 9 years old and they've never gone away and I hate it so much :((

visit gp asap.

try to ignore the intrusive thoughts, they are not real and think they are not yours.

What help have you had so far?

Thank you :) I just don't know how to explain. I can't explain it

i think you are stressed with something.

Table I'm on meds for anxiety/depression

dont need to explain, you know they are stupid thoughts, so ignore.

That's true bluebell. They're just like 'don't do this or xyz will happen' or 'do xyz so this won't happen'. But it's such stupid stuff. I had to walk in and out my house five times earlier until it felt right, and then there's the twos thing

dont give in to those thoughts, they never end. just ignore them like a car passing by. try not to act on them. if you dont do them nothing bad will happen.

www.ocduk.org is an excellent source of information and support for OCD sufferers. CBT can be a very effective treatment for OCD, definitely worth seeking further treatment for it. It doesn't have to be like this.

Rationally I know that but when I don't do the compulsions (idk if that's what you'd call them) it physically distresses me. I'm not sure if this makes sense but it's like the world is off kilter if I don't do xyz a certain number of times. Everything feels wrong and I want to hit my head or headbutt the wall to stop it.

I have diagnosed ocd op.
I know it’s so so hard but the best thing to do is not react to these thoughts. The more you do the stronger the need to do it next time becomes.

some ads are better for ocd, ask gp.

Thanks Table, I'll take a look at that :)

Green how do you cope with it? It's so tiring. It's not even just so much that I think something will happen if I don't do/if I do something now, it's that everything feels physically wrong if I don't. I'm explaining this badly I'm sorry :/

I feel physically sick because of it now

Sorry I’ve only just seen your reply.
I get you. It affects everyone in different ways. But it’s not a rational thing.
I know the things I have to do, my worries etc are irrational but to me in the midst of an ‘attack’ it’s very real and my anxiety is high and the pull to make it feel ok is all I can focus on.
Have a read up on exposure response prevention ( ERP) therapy. It’s taught me how to manage ocd, although I know I will always have it.