Ocd/intrusive thoughts

[Ilovedogs1]

Hi,
Just a little rant really. I've had OCD for many years, seen various health care professionals had meds etc.
I've been doing really well but the last week or so my intrusive thoughts and doubt have really ramped up. Just feeling a bit disappointed/ frustrated really that this stuff pops up in episodes again and again.

It’s exhausting isn’t it. I find exercise is only the thing that really makes a difference

@CreteBound thanks for replying.
Yeah I find exercise helpful to. How long have you suffered with OCD?

Hello OP
i am currently reading a book which was recommended to me by someone on here and am finding it really helpful so far: “Break Free from OCD”
I can also confirm Caramilk Giant Buttons are also excellent.

forgot to add pic

@mechanicalpencil thanks for your reply. I've got that book and yes I did find it helpful.
I've been through these episodes many times before but every time they happen I feel a sort of panic. I know what I'm supposed to do with regard to not engaging with the thoughts etc but it's just so hard. I'm managing on a whole to not engage although have had a couple of slips but it's like my brain is just machine gun firing one thought/scenario after another, it really is exhausting. X

@Ilovedogs1
I get it OP. It is exhausting. I find the episodes are worse at certain times of the month. Recently they have been bad and so I started reading the book. One of the things that’s really helping at the moment is this quote from the book : “even ‘normal’ people have intrusive thoughts”.

Wishing you strength. You are not alone!

@Ilovedogs1 since I was a child. Different themes throughout my life

I get intrusive thoughts (no OCD diagnosis but suspected) I basically just rot with my brain telling me stupid stuff, but have recently started going to the gym, and it does help.

Have you tried exposure therapy? It was genuinely life changing for me. I still get intrusive thoughts, but there's very little of the "if I don't do x, y will happen"

If it flairs up I just do what I learnt in exposure therapy again and it gets easier every time. The intrusive thoughts are bloody hard work though aren't they? It's so frustrating to take a step backwards too. Are you sleeping OK?

@NotQuiteUsual thanks for replying.
Yes I have done ERP and yes it absolutely helps. Tbf I think I'm managing this little bout quite well. In the past I've had episodes where I've literally stopped functioning because I've been so stuck in my head thinking, replaying, checking etc. And then the more you do that the more real it seems and the more anxious you feel.
With this bout I'm still getting on with things I've planned and work etc but my bloody brain won't stop throwing 'what if's' at me.
My intrusive thoughts are usually about 'what if' I've done something wrong/bad and can't remember, even though you know really these things haven't happened.
That's the hard bit to explain to people isn't it, how deep down you know these things aren't really a problem but the fear/doubt/anxiety sort of overrides it.
Euuuhh. Just got to try to ride through the rest of the day with my intrusive thoughts tagging along. 😣

@NotQuiteUsual yes I'm sleeping OK. Could sleep more tbh it's that exhausting.
@CreteBound yes me to since childhood. X

Intrusive thoughts still ongoing. I'm going on holiday in a couple of weeks so not sure if that's contributing to stress levels. Don't know about anyone else but even nice things such as holidays/Christmas seems to set my OCD off.
I'm sort of thinking I don't want this little episode to ruin my holiday but I guess that's giving it to much attention and putting undue pressure on myself.

I've been through similar and really struggled. Have you ever tried any medications or would consider? I was starting to get intrusive thoughts every hour of the day and they were quite debilitating and medication has really helped me loads.

@ploshbug yes I am on medication, have been for a number of years.
Does anyone else experience this. At the moment I'll get an intrusive thought or doubt which obviously creates anxiety then after a period of time I feel like this sense of clarity wash over me and I'll think/feel better but then the OCD is kind of like 'but are you sure?'

Does that make sense to anyone?

Can I ask what meds you’re on? Also suffering with intrusive thoughts and health anxiety and sertraline has helped loads but hasn’t eliminated the thoughts.

not a specific ocd book but I found Claire Weekes book really helpful in regards to accepting that this is how you feel for now but that it will pass. Definitely helps me to get through the bad days.

I get what you mean - I think I struggle with the same, lots of back and forth in my mind and it gets exhausting. Have you tried speaking to your GP about dosage? I was still getting mild back and forth thoughts and got my dosage increased slightly. This really changed my life. It hasn't completely removed every thought, but I do try and go out for a walk, go to the gym, or just occupy my mind in general. I'm not too sure what your thoughts are, but they're quite the same for me, so whenever the thought comes I can immediately recognise it as an intrusive thought and move it aside mentally? Mental discipline was something I lacked so really did some research into that and tried to incorporate it in my life. It's not an easy journey so hoping you find a way that works for you soon!

I could have written this. It's a rare beautiful day here and I've crawled back into bed because the thoughts are making my heart race and feel nauseous. Set off today by a tiny flickering in my eye which I've had before and was nothing (urggg health aniexty!) I've set an alarm and by that point I'm forcing myself to get up and get outside to try and walk it off. Have a lovely event planned for this evening and feel like my blooming brain sometimes deliberately sabotages me! Feel your pain with the holiday thing too! X

Would you consider therapy? Ive suffered a lot with intrusive thoughts in the past, along with OCD and anxiety. For me, it was as a result of a traumatic childhood so when i went to therapy and dealt with my issues the improvement was significant. Im still in therapy and have to meditate and exercise in order to keep myself happy but i cant stress enough how life changing therapy was for me in addressing those issues. Best of luck, i know how difficult living with these things can be but you absolutely can get better x

@Strawberryfield85 I'm on Fluoxetine 60mg and quetiapine 25mg. I've read Claire Weekes books and I'm trying to accept that I'm wired differently and these episodes are part of the way I am.
My husband said the other day that people expect to be happy all the time but that's unrealistic and unnatural because we're human . Probably right but the excessive anxiety and intrusive thoughts are hard going.
@Unsettledtoday how are you feeling today?

Bit pissed off with myself today. Allowed myself to spend to much time in my head. 😩