I’m having an OCD relapse and would like some support :(

[whatsnewpussycat34]

Urrrgh I’m in the tick of an OCD flair about a minor health problem. I won’t go in to the actual concern but it’s non life threatening, just a bit gross, but heres where I’ve fallen in to a spiral.

I had an appointment with a specialist in the field of medicine I have a concern with, she’s told me she’s positive it’s not what I thought it was and the relief I felt was amazing……For about 4 hours.

Now my OCD has latched on to the doubt that she didn’t look properly, or she has made a mistake or she was confident by visual exam but because she didn’t run any tests then she’s clearly missed an opportunity to confirm 100%.

ive stopped compulsively checking my body but im
now compulsively replaying the appointment with the doctor looking for evidence that she has missed the proper diagnosis.

this isn’t my first rodeo, but it’s been a while since I had a flare up and it really set me back 😭

My DS has OCD, which is heavily skewed to medical issues, so I’m aware of how it is. He tends to turn to me firstly and if I’m not available, his dad. We tend to be able to talk him down by listening, doing some research and talking him through it. Do you have anyone like that?

@KojaksLollipop I do, but he’s sick of hearing about it, which I understand because I’m bloody sick of thinking about it! The poor guy needs a break.

do you have something else you can fill your mind with for a few hours? Eg a film or a chat with a friend about other stuff?

Have u had treatment for your OCD ?
if so, did u have a toolbox of skills that help get u out of/ keep out of the OCD spirals ??

if not -

SPOT : the OCD thoughts
Label : they are OCD thoughts
ACT : opposite to what the thoughts want u to do - check / seek reassurance etc …
Use breathing / grounding to reduce threat response
movement / activity
know : it will pass xx

I find ChatGPT really helpful when I’m having a full on OCD meltdown

@coloursquare it’s been out and about this afternoon which has helped but now I’m back home, I’m in my head again.

@BeaPerry those are really helpful, thank you

@coloursquare I’m trying not to appease the reassurance compulsion so I definitely need to stay away from ChatGPT at the moment x

Are you on meds? I find them the most helpful thing for my OCD.

I’m on 20mg of fluoxetine and have been for about 15 years

OCD often requires higher doses of SSRI’s for optimal benefit -
may be worth getting a meds review

V glad you recognise the dangers of ChatGPT for exacerbating this kind of thing.

Agree a doctors' appointment to discuss whether meds need review and possibly to look at whether therapy would be useful to manage the current flare up? I hear very good things about ERP if you have not done that before.

I didn’t find SSRIs helpful for OCD. Maybe get your meds looked at?
Although tbh, I was so desperate to “turn my brain down” so to speak that I have accepted the side effects of sedating ADs.
My ocd symptoms are less, but my concentration is also worse and I have very little motivation or energy. Instead of being less anxious, I’m just more apathetic. When I start to worry or obsess, the thoughts feel sort of slippery like I can’t get a proper grip on them. But all of my thoughts feel like this, good as well as bad.
I did ERP. It did help but I find I have to be otherwise well, like at the top of my game, to be able to use the strategies I learned. When I’m stressed or depressed etc, it’s of very little use to me, it just goes out the window.
Sorry, this isn’t helping. What an utter bastard of an illness it is.

An utter bastard is so spot on