Any fellow OCD sufferers here?

[NotReyt]

Not sure what the point of this thread is, just some solidarity and support for anyone suffering I suppose.

I've had OCD my whole life, it varies in intensity. Some months are completely manageable, others are absolutely debilitating and it can control every thought I have and every thing I do.

I've had therapy in the past, I've been on a few different medications - currently in a rut as my OCD is telling me I absolutely can't take any medication because obviously the 'unknown bad thing' will happen (I'm going to force myself through the panic anyway this weekend, I have a prescription waiting).

How do you cope with it? How does your OCD manifest itself? Does anything trigger it for you, or does it seem to hit randomly? Just anything people might want to share, really! It's not something I generally go into detail about with DH or anyone as 1. I don't want to worry/burden them and 2. They just wouldn't understand, nor would I ever expect them to.

I’ve had it since I was about 12. It manifests when I’m scared or anxious so when I was a teenager it would be worse around exams.
I tap things until I feel the ‘bad thing/thought’ is gone. It’s hard to describe as it’s not a set thing like counting or cleaning. As an adult it’s very manageable and barely noticeable unless I’m tired.

Hey op. Ive suffered from at least the age of 6 which are my earliest memories of having compulsions. I'm 35 now and still have some of them! I'm currently under going cbt and fluoxitine but I'm not managing to manage it too well recently. Mines worst with stress.

I was diagnosed at 20 but I think I've had it all my life. Severe intrusive thoughts regarding contamination/disease which restricts me touching things other people have touched, excessive handwashing, as well as rumination and mental compulsions.
I'm also autistic, have had many courses of CBT which never help as I can't do the things they suggest.
I find it ebbs and flows depending on what's going on in my life at the time.
Currently having a recurrence which has been going on for about 3 months so far.

Just popping on the thread to say that CBT is not recommended for neurodivergent women, DBT (dialectical behavioural therapy) tends to be used instead. This might be worth looking into as a treatment option for OCD.

Thankyou, I've never heard of it but will look into it

Ah I didn't get any email notifications for some reason,

@CountdownCat Mine presents itself the same way, lots of rumination, worrying about contamination/illness/allergies (I have no allergies!), many compulsions and little rituals. It's exhausting. My current flare up has been ongoing for around 3 months too and I'm just shattered with it.

@Helplessandheartbroke Mine's definitely worse with stress too, but it's a bit of a perpetual cycle - if I become stressed, I get the flare up, but then I remain stressed because of the OCD... such a pain. I've also been prescribed fluoxetine, I was originally prescribed 20mg which was changed to 40mg (before I'd even taken it) as the GP realised 40mg was usually the most effective dosage for OCD. What dose were you given and have you noticed any difference at all?

I'm here! And totally relate, your not alone 💚

Hey op I've been put on 60mg plus propranolol it's helped but not fully

Thank you! It can feel so lonely, especially during a flare up. I seem to completely forget how to function like a normal person (which I am a few months of the year!).

Currently trying to pull myself out of a flare by ignoring all compulsions, which I know will benefit me in a few weeks when it dies down as nothing helps quite like exposure therapy does. But it's the actually going through it/ignoring compulsions/distracting myself through the rumination til I reach the 'safe zone' is so bloody stressful.