Emsie

Vanilla

Soap

No I didn’t do any work on relapse prevention, but I only said that in my original post so that I didn’t get the response......’go back to your notes from therapy on relapse prevention.’ You don’t have to return to therapy to do CBT, that’s why I was asking here for advice on what my next steps were to prevent a relapse. So Handy, thank you for your advice, but I wanted help from the knowledgeable community here, which in my opinion are far more equipped to help me anyway. Also, in the UK, the NHS aren’t going to fund therapy for ‘I’m doing well, what can I do next?’ So it’s not simple. I don’t think your advice was wrong at all, it’s what I was looking for. Plus, you’re far more knowledgable and equipped to help me. So no apologies needed on my account. Thank you PB for all of your help.

Spot on Dave, you are clearly a very intelligent guy, make a slow and steady plan of your hierarchy of exposures, write it down and don't do too much at once. One obsession at a time. Success will breed success, your successes will fuel you to continue onwards. X

Hey Dave, sending you a virtual hug too and I read every word and I hear you. Awesome advice and support and kindness from PB. X

PolarBear, GBG, Avo, thank you so much, this is all brilliant! I really appreciate all of your advice and support. Interestingly, the day after I posted, and the next day, I had loads of intrusive thoughts from various themes, but I did well not to engage, with only slight hiccups that I nipped in the bud. Going to enjoy what I have right now. Thank you, all and I hope you're all ok. X

Hi everyone, I haven't posted for a while, I'm in a much better place and OCD is very much on the back seat. I kinda feel in remission as its not really about right now. This is partly due to CBT that's currently cracked some of my themes and they've 'gone', partly due to recognising intrusive thoughts (for themes that I feel weren't successfully tackled) when they appear and not responding and urges are consequently weak, but also partly due to the nature of my OCD as it waxes and wanes. I had a major relapse in 2017 that lasted nearly 3 years and it's finally fizzled out in recent weeks/months. I am not recovered, and it's that third reason of why my OCD appears to be in remission that I am seeking advice over....my OCD is waning. The fact that it's waning has tipped me in to remission, which is wonderful, but I do not take that for granted and I know that it could wax again and at any time. So what can I do now to prevent another replase? I didn't do any work during my CBT on relapse prevention, in fact when my CBT finished (over a year ago now), I wasn't in the greatest of places. Any thoughts would be gratefully received, but there's no urgency in me needing advice either. One thing I would like to say is the lovely people on this forum have been one of the major factors in getting me to where I am now, helping me to do the CBT and understanding the disorder and I can't thank you all enough. Too many to mention, but you know who you are and I have so much respect and love for you all. Thank you. For those of you that are struggling, it's hideous, I know, but it can get better. X

Wow! That's the best Christmas present you could have given yourself! Inspirational. ?

Hey OD, you are super memorable! Loved your wit and your way with words! You really helped me when I first joined the forums a couple of years ago. It's lovely to have you back and so good to hear that you're doing well and making lots of progress. X

Hi Pepper, first of all I'm so very sorry about your dad. I completely agree with PolarBear's advice. Compulsions can be very subtle and they may well be occurring without you realising. For example, when you have these intrusive thoughts, such as you don't love your boyfriend do you try and neutralise it in your mind with something like 'but I love him'. Are you self reassuring? Ruminating about things is a big and common compulsion. Do you seek reassurance from others? Any googling going on at all to reassure yourself? Just things to help you think about what your compulsions may be. Be kind to yourself. X

Amazing! A huge well done Ashley! Be very proud. ?????? x

Hi Lost, no need to be sorry, you only update what you want to and you’ve so many things happening. I’m so pleased for you that the biopsy results came back clear, that’s brilliant news. I’m sorry that they still want to operate though, have they explained why? Don’t feel you have to answer that, only if you want to as it’s your business. I’m sorry too they weren’t very understanding of your OCD second time round. I always find/decide anyway that I need to remind medical professionals of my anxiety/OCD as they have so many patients it’s very reasonable that they might forget. Next time you may want to remind them and tell them how you’re feeling. Just a thought and of course you may have already done that. X

Hope you're doing ok, Lost. You are doing so incredibly well. I hope it's going well looking for more permanent housing. Did you get your biopsy results yet? I hope all is well of course. X

Sorry for not replying sooner, BelAnna. I hope you're feeling better about all of this and you're not felling so stuck in the worry. X

Really hope that too. X

I’ve just watched it all and had no problem with the first part and then I feel her talk took a disturbing turn. What a ridiculous and damaging message to give! It’s maybe how she feels, but I am shocked that she would send this message out and in such an enthusiastic way. Completely agree with you Paradoxer, and love your eloquence.

Hi BelAnna, I completely agree with Malina. Well done for not googling and continue with that as it will do no good. Take care of your mental health as well as your mum. I hope all goes well with her appointment. X

Hi Lost, You are doing so well. I hope your therapy session went well today. X

I caught up with Corrie this evening, cried buckets! As for the CPD reference, I didn’t make a connection to OCD. In fact it just reminded me of teaching (Continual Professional Development). It think it was just a joke and maybe also a joke about the use of acronyms?? Of course I can see now where you’re coming from with the word compulsive.

Good point

Perfect Ashley! ???

P.s. still pondering the ‘often’ in red. X

Hi Ashley, Thanks so much for this. I agree with Gemma above, I think a generic statement that covers all would be better within the tick box section. One reason is a sufferer can then quickly tick a box and it doesn’t become a problem for them on how they should put their fears/theme in to words. Plus, it gives them privacy if they do not want to say. I do feel there needs to be a simple generic statement as OCD has so many manifestations. With the new health one (it’s great that it’s been added) and a generic statement that covers everything else I think it’s great and they don’t need rewording. Completely agree with the above. You could maybe just call them fears? Thanks for all your hard work, Ashley and Gemma. X

I hope you get used to the new glasses soon, if you do have any concerns do go back to the optician to discuss. I'm glad you've been resting as you've had such a busy and full on time with all of your amazing achievements. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with feelings of depression, your plan for tomorrow is spot on to combat that, good for you. I hope you have a good day tomorrow. Be lovely to see your mum too. Remember how amazing you're doing and we are all behind you. X