gingerbreadgirl

I like your humour Garfield and it's the kind of dig I make at myself, only in my case it's am i the worst human ever to live and other light questions for a Thursday morning You've got to laugh or you'd cry haha

Have you ever played in a band @Nolightleft? I used to play drums in a band wayyy back in the day. I always thought the guitar seemed way too hard for me! I don't know how people can play without looking and while bouncing around stage haha

What kind of music did you used to play?

This is ruminating How are things going otherwise? Am I remembering rightly that you play the guitar?

You've said similar for every other theme you've had xx

But you have ALWAYS believed this when in the middle of the obsession - as do we all. You can't in any way trust what you believe right now.

You can do this nll. It's the absolute hardest thing in the world but it's the only way out of this nightmare - as you know. We're all behind you and cheering you on xx

Yes to all of these when in an OCD episode. It's awful. But every time you try to figure it out you're condemning yourself to more of this xx

Can you see this is a blatant reassurance grab xx

Yes I agree, the very existence of the thread is a way to carry out compulsions. "Confessing" to us and then getting reassurance from the fact that we don't respond by saying "omg this isn't OCD what a monster". I know this because I've done very very similar many times. We are absolute masters of seeking out reassurance

Sorry I think I misread your post - you were asking about how to manage side effects not what they are. D'oh sorry! I take mine in the morning but tbh I've never been sure if this is the right thing to do. When starting it or upping the dose I sometimes take a sleep aid (such as OTT nytol). I also took an indigestion remedy to help with stomach upset etc. I think also just general self care is super important. Being kind to yourself and reminding yourself the side effects are temporary. The usual stuff like eating well, hydration, rest, getting outside and so on. Try if you can to not book in any big or stressful commitments during the first few weeks

How are you doing @Nolightleft?

Everyone is very different when it comes to meds so everyone's experience is only one experience. Some people have dreadful side effects and no benefit. Others have no side effects and lots of benefits. Most people are in the middle I imagine. For me personally, fluoxetine has been exceptionally positive, a life saver in fact. I have been on it for quite a while now. There were side effects in the beginning and to a small degree even now - trouble with staying asleep, some weight gain (although this also ageing/enjoying life a bit too much ), also trouble with focusing and drive. This last one is the biggest issue. However the benefits (for me) have FAR outweighed the side effects, and I've noticed the benefits most on a slightly higher dose (40mg). I have had long periods both on and off the drug and I can confidently say OCD is 100 times better when I'm on fluoxetine. There is of course the question of whether this is placebo, and it might be I don't know. Honestly I don't care that much. I know I have been very lucky in this regard and I am just one case. But thought I would say as sometimes it's good to hear a positive story I think.

Nobody thinks this, at all, we all just want the best for you x

Nll!! - all of this all of it is a giant compulsion. Leave this alone

Every post is a compulsion - go and do something else - stop trying to figure this out xx

You can turn this around. Just stop trying to find answers. Right now just decide that you're not going to try and answer this and you're just going to get on with your day. Whatever you would've done last week, do that

Nll it's so so hard to watch you go down this path again Every single time you write these types of posts you extend the time you will feel awful You'll never reach answers. Please please please stop looking. It's so hard to watch x

I'm really sorry about your mum nll, sending hugs xx Going to bed sounds a good idea. Things often seem better in the morning I find

I feel like this will come across as really annoying and I can only apologise but... I know there'll be people reading this who want to give reassurance and comfort (totally understandably). And I get it I really do and sometimes I think reassurance can help with some people (plus it's not for me to say either way - I still struggle so I'm not exactly an expert!). But...nll goes way back with this and any hits of reassurance can drag him so fast into that pit of despair which you can see from past posts going back years. I really really don't want this to happen to you this time NLL. I rarely comment on the main forum these days but I try to when I see your name pop up because you seem such a nice guy and it's hard to watch you fall so hard each time. And also I relate a LOT. Please anyone reading this don't offer any reassurance as harsh/like the reassurance police that sounds - I'm really not meaning to come across like that I just know how nll's mind works cos mine has been the same many times

Go and do something right now that's distracting. My therapist said when the urge to ruminate was so powerful - go outside. Name what you can see, hear, smell, taste. Then go back and do it again. Look for new things you didn't spot the first time. Leave this alone and pull yourself kicking and screaming into a totally different activity You can do this nll I totally believe in you - you've worked so hard. Don't let OCD wreck your life again

Yes, this. Keep this in mind every time your tempted to engage with this thought in any way and leave it be. You can do this nll. Right now is where you can nip it in the bud

Nope nope nope stop it now, shut it down and don't give it any attention ever again. You know this is the only way out of this. Do not lose another six months, year, to this illness. Stop it now. Don't come back with "oh but........" No no no. Leave it alone. Get on with your life. End of. No buts.

Great to hear!

Hi @Hurting just read this thread and wanted to say I'm so sorry things are so hard. There's not a lot of advice I can add to what's been said here but just want to say you're not alone. Things won't always feel this bad. I'm glad you're in touch with the crisis team x