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SB21

OCD-UK Member
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About SB21

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  1. ERP is hard unfortunately, the exhaustion and stress you go through to put things right is awful. I sympathise totally with where you are atm. Keep positive as the more you practise the more accepting you become - I know it doesn't feel like that atm. Also be kind to yourself - an important lesson my therapist taught me when I was in your position. Take one day at a time. Have time for yourself where ERP is not the focus of every event and don't feel guilty for not getting everything sorted straight away. I only started making progress once I stopped recording my ERP activities as they became less of a focus in my life (Hope this makes sense). Remember why you are doing all this work. The rewards truly are worth the hard work. Stay positive you can do this x
  2. Great attitude to have, well done. Stay strong and be proud of your achievements x
  3. I find distractions work best if you're with someone. Do you have a supportive friend/family member who could help? A coffee and a chat works wonders or doing a project together that stretches your brain a little. Recognising ways to support our close ones with their issues helps us to rationalise our own situations. If your anxiety is really troublesome atm maybe a chat with your doctor or therapist would be beneficial. The doc can subscribe meds, if they haven't already, to help calm your anxiety while tackling your ERP. Hope this helps.
  4. Hi Skullpops This is just another form of an intrusive thought. You end up spending your life searching for the answers to prove/disprove the diagnosis, even when you know deep down that OCD is at the centre of it all. The problem is the more you search for the answers the stronger you make the doubt! There is always that glimmer of evidence that will contradict what all the professionals are saying. Even though I had talked for years with my friends about my OCD, the minute it was confirmed doubt created chaos. I spent months reading through the night and getting second opinion after second opinion to the point I made myself very ill. No one can convince/reassure you but you. In the end I had to gain prospective on my whole life in general, try to sit with the thought and not encourage in (e.g. not researching or asking others or doubting/believing) I had to become 'me' again not the person with all the issues. I worked hard on compulsions using my ERP and began to get stronger. I still have days of doubt over it but now I'm stronger and more rational they are easier to deal with. It's hard work and a long road. Only you can put the effort in to control the thought until you have the strength to rationalise it. Don't expect things to change overnight and work hard at not seeking reassurance, it will get easier. Hard I know but essential to win the battle. Good luck, stay strong and you will succeed x
  5. My first therapist said: You've managed a successful career and a masters degree, why would you need help with this? Although things got better the comment caused huge doubt/rumination and I almost didn't go back the following week.
  6. A positive visit to work today :yes: . Anxiety high but with the help of my rep and boss a phased return has been arranged :clap:. Feel like things are starting to move forward, hopefully to a more positive outlook. :thumbup:

    1. Show previous comments  5 more
    2. BelAnna

      BelAnna

      That's amazing SB21, hope you're coping ok. 

    3. SB21

      SB21

      Thanks everyone, final doctors appointment yesterday. Finally after 15 weeks I'm allowed back to work. Looking forward to Monday. Thank you for all your support and kind words. They have been so valuable during the low points and have kept me focussed allowing me to keep fighting. You are all amazing people and I wish you all well in your own journeys. 

    4. lostinme

      lostinme

      That's great ? S, really pleased for you. 

      So happy every thing as turned out well for you. Keep strong and keep fighting. Well done :cheer:

      lost:)

  7. :clap: celebrations! After 3wks on increased meds and 5 days no sleep. Finally get 8hrs! Feel so awake this morning :biggrin:

     

    1. Show previous comments  2 more
    2. Gemma7

      Gemma7

      Yeah that's great news, must be a relief :)

    3. SB21

      SB21

      Thanks everyone, it's really good to be able to do things again. Hopefully this is the start of getting back to work.

    4. Storm

      Storm

      Yay for the 8 hrs sleep! Patience and perseverance. 

      Storm xp

  8. Hi Rucker I'm sorry to hear you're finding things difficult atm. I would advise you share how you are feeling with your GP and ask for a referral for counselling etc. This will hopefully help support your recovery and give you some reassurance/diagnosis. As for SSRIs I can only give you my opinion based on my journey so far. I think I am one of the lucky ones. I was prescribed a SSRI approx 10wks ago now and the first one I've tried seems to be working. It did take 5wks for even the slightest change to occur and I did have to have my meds increased to support progress. The side effects were awful at times and I can understand why people give up, bit the result is a calmer me, my thoughts are a lot slower and I find I can now concentrate on things better as my brain isn't as busy. I didn't have depression but my mood has been enhanced giving me the strength and motivation to continue my ERP with amazing results. I would say the meds dont cure the issues but they work as stabilisers and mood enhancers to help you get through the day and think positively about things. They haven't removed my intrusive thoughts or stopped my compulsions but atm they help me cope. It's still early days and I may need another increase but I've certainly seen huge benefits. However please remember not everyone is this lucky. I was reluctant to take meds in the beginning and unfortunately it got to the point that I ran out of options, bit I wish I'd trusted my GP earlier as I'd be further down my path to recovery. Only you can make the decision about what's right for you. Good luck with your recovery, hope this has helped.
  9. This is perfectly natural, small steps are easier to maintain than huge jumps. The trick is to accept the thoughts as OCD, remember all the exciting experience you have had and then fight for more! Stay determined and focussed, you've already done the hard work - don't give in, you can do this.
  10. Have you tried meditation before bed it helps to relax and prepare you for sleep. Also peaceful music and a chapter of a book together, help me to block out the thoughts enough that when I finish the chapter I go to sleep much more easily. Last resort get up for 20mins and do something to distract the thoughts then try again. Hope it helps. Stay positive and don't get frustrated with it as that's when things escalate.
  11. That's excellent news, well done. You have made huge progress over the last few months. It's great you have a new motivation for life and your family, they will be crucial in your recovery. SSRIs are amazing things if/when they begin to work adding that little confidence to out lives but don't let it take the achievement away from you. You have done this and should celebrate it loudly for all to hear! Well done a huge achievement, stay strong, good luck with the rest of your journey to recovery x
  12. It's easily done. CBT makes you think more closely. I spent hours trying to rationalise thoughts and compulsions. Sometimes you just have to accept they'll make sense eventually or it turns into endless rumination.
  13. Hi HDC Don't get too bogged down with the ones you can't explain. Your therapist will hopefully help you to understand this over the coming weeks. Often once you stop the compulsion linked to it, everything starts to make sense. Its a hard and difficult road to recovery at times but stick with it. Your hard work will eventually pay off. Good luck, hope you find your answers x
  14. Not a great start to your day Chelsie, well done for not rechecking. Try to focus on the positives from the last few days, it will help keep you focused. I hope you can identify that you're making great progress, not always easy to see for ourselves. Stay positive x
  15. Hi Highlight I find that the higher up my hierarchy the compulsion is that I am trying to stop the worse the anxiety. Is there any way you can break it down further? E.g. I reduced hand washing by one each week rather than stopping straight away as it made me very ill. I also used timings to simplify other compulsions e.g. only doing for a set time or waiting a set time. I also had compulsions I could do when in company but not when alone to begin with etc. Although it takes longer to reach your targets it does make the anxiety a little more bearable. I can't advise on your meds other than to say they work differently for different people, if you feel they are not working for you I would suggest seeing your GP. Maybe they can be increased or an alternative tried. Hope this helps. Good luck with your recovery.
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