BelAnna

Thank you so much Roy! that was really helpful, I need to remember to practise mindful breathing xx

Hope you are feeling a bit better now x

How are you now BelAnna?

So happy for you, BelAnna. Wonderful news. Rest well tonight. Xxx

Great news BelAnna !

Thanks guys xxx

hope everything has gone well BelAnna  

Thank you Gingerbreadgirl! had such a horrible fortnight of fear but had an ultrasound which showed benign inflammation and thickening- I am so relieved!

Thank you Lost  I really hope so! 

I'm so pleased for you BelAnna that you've got your appointment soon. I really hope everything turns out ok. Xxx

Thank you Emsie! xxx

Thank you Daja, Taurean and Gingerbreadgirl. I'm not coping at all tonight- I am so incredibly scared- about the referral and about something else. xxx

What good does worrying do? Does it help you cope, does it help you feel better? 

No, it makes things worse - it's closely connected to the compulsion of ruminating. 

I have learned not to worry using that serenity prayer. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference".

Relax, watch TV, walk a dog or whatever you like - chill, calm down. 

If that other thing can be changed, change it. If not, accept it and move on. 

Roy 

Thank you so much Roy, you have been such a help so many times! 

Also thanks for caring when I know I post a bit too often. 

I will completely take on board your advice. 

The other concern is that my poor little two year old dog has been a bit wobbly on her feet and has swollen sides around her ribs. That combined with worries about my own chest are just making me feel absolutely terrified but I'm trying to focus on watching Friends and doing some online window-shopping (there needs to be a new name for browsing internet shops without buying!!). 

Isabella

I just installed it - looks a good app. I have been using the app “puzzle cards” which is really good if you like word games.

Thanks Daja, I'll have a look!

Is there any music you can listen to or something on tele you fancy? Hope you feel better soon.

sorry to hear that BelAnna I hope it's just a temporary blip and you will get back to feeling better soon x

well done you for making progress.  It is horrid how sometimes you can deal with one thing, and then another pops up, like whack-a-mole.  be kind to yourself x

It is definitely like whack-a-mole! thank you. Hope you're ok! x

It’s never to late to turn a bad day into a good day, so go for it  celebrate ? and enjoy ? x

Happy Birthday! 

Thanks guys! xxx

Hi Belanna,

I have replied, I do sympathise as I have had similar myself. I hope for a positive outcome for you all.

Thanks.

Avo

Aw thanks so much Lost, Daja, Emsie and Gingerbreadgirl and thanks for the hugs! xxx

I hope you're feeling a bit better today, hugs from me too 

Sorry to hear your feeling so down at the moment. Hope your feeling a bit better ? it can feel lonely with OCD but try and remember that bad phases can and do pass. 

Wonderful news

That’s great news BelAnna 

Thank you Daja, Taurean and Lost!

Glad you enjoyed yourself even if it didn’t last as long as you wish.

Wow how wonderful BelAnna. Really glad you have had a good time

Thanks Daja and Taurean! I was so anxious beforehand and for the first couple of days but had a lovely time and got to see my baby nephew, which was lovely!

Good luck BelAnna. I have my jab either tomorrow if they can fit it in with a blood test or the next day, Wednesday.

Hope it goes ok Daja! My brother had a flu-like reaction for a day afterwards with a fever so I'm hoping not to get that but I think it's worth having if it prevents 3 weeks of flu virus!

Oh ok! x

Thanks guys, think I'm ok actually! sorry to hear you're ill Taurean- get well soon! Hope the jab goes ok Daja! Thanks Lost.

My OCD is worse than my cold symptoms!

I am much better today thanks BelAnna. Shame the strain of flu was different to the one they chose (last January)  to mass produce vaccine for the innoculation programme.

Oh that's good to hear! Flu is hideous and just cripples you doesn't it? I've only actually had real flu once and couldn't move!

My brother got the jab yesterday and has got a flu-like reaction with temp etc. today (I think I remember you had that too?) so I've got that to look forward to! I think there was particularly contagious (if not necessarily particularly awful) strain of flu in Australia's Winter this year so I think the vaccine contains that strain and one or two others but it's such a shame it doesn't cover all the main strains!

Get well soon  

Hi Belanna

So sorry you're not feeling great at the moment, its hard to see the wood for the trees sometimes.  Try to focus on something you enjoy, to help distract your brain and help change your mood. Time spent with loved ones and friends can often help too.  Stay strong and keep fighting, we're here to support you if needed x

When it all seems too much, just stepping aside and taking a detached view helps - just be a witness, see what is going on without connecting with it. 

It's called "being the witness not the judge"  and it's a powerful tool in the CBT armoury. 

Then allow yourself to take time out and do something you really want to, even if only for a short while. 

This shows us that whatever the pressures, we can still find a little "me" time. 

Then make it a beneficial habit of finding "me" time more often. 

Thanks so much Gemma, Daja, SB21 and Taurean! I don't have much of a support network aside from my family who  are all too stressed out to really help- it feels like my life is going down the drain and I don't really know what to do about it! x

Stress is a big factor in making our OCD worse. See if you can look at each of those things stressing you, break them down and find a workable strategy. I find looking at all and noting down possible solutions, however unlikely, helps - sometimes the right solution then jumps out and I can implement it. 

If you need help on any, consult with trusted family or friends - maybe post a topic in the member's area, central perk - and hopefully someone will have some knowledge or experience that may be helpful. 

Your right BelAnna, stress and personal issues do tend to have a negative impact on our OCD.

Roy as given you some good advice  by breaking them down and seeing them as separate issues rather than as a whole, they become easier to cope with. 

Thinking of you and hope things settle down for you soon x

Thanks so much SB21, Taurean and Lostinme! x

Taurean, the problem-solving sounds like a great idea!

Hopefully you're feeling better soon xx

Thanks Daja, SB21 and Storm, it's started healing properly now! 

That's great news xx

That's great news BelAnna, well done for facing your fear

So pleased for you that you managed to get it sorted and hopefully you will be feeling much better soon  x

Excellent, well done. Hope you start to see improvements soon. Take care x

Glad you've had your wounds looked at. Hope you have a speedy recovery xx