Symps07

Just trying not to engage with the thoughts and focus on something else. Exercise helps me with my overall wellbeing.

Unfortunately, this is what I am going through at the moment also. I would strongly recommend you arranging to see a CBT therapist and working on this with them. You said you weren't sure how helpful it was last time, so it'd be worth looking for one who specialises in OCD, so you can get the correct help. In the meantime, try not to engage with the thoughts and be kind to yourself.

I purchased The Lord of the Rings from a charity shop last year for £1.50! I started reading it this year after putting it off due to the size of the story but I am really enjoying it and finding it surprisingly easy to read

Yes it makes sense. Put out one fire and another will start elsewhere. You need to let it burn itself out and not fuel anymore fires. I know it's easier said than done. I've been in and out of cycles for years now. But the times I've felt better in myself are the times I've not engaged with the thoughts. Resisted ruminating, checking and rode the anxiety. I hope one day, I'll do it for good!

Yes you did. But this seems like an obsession and to check would be a compulsion. What if you checked and the answer was a plausible one? How long before you doubted or questioned this answer? Or had questions about it? Unfortunately, that's how OCD works. Short term relief but long term struggle. I'm trying to sit with my obsessions at the moment and it is hard but I know it to engage with them, the whole nightmare will just re-start again.

Good morning Rake Cleaver, Tbh, the real issue here would be all the rituals and compulsions you are doing. There's always a risk of pregnancy, even in safe sex but no matter how much you understand things, OCD will always have you questioning 'what if' etc... What I would suggest is trying to un-engage with the thoughts, and let them niggle at you but resist the urge to engage with them. It'll be tough to begin with but you should eventually see them trouble you less. Symps

I understand. I have OCD that intrudes on my relationship with my wife and I always worry about upsetting her. Fortunately, she understands a bit about OCD and seems to take it in her stride but it helps me to get it off my chest and she doesn't reassure me. It's brought us closer tbh. Perhaps if you discuss it with your partner, tell him it's OCD and don't want reassurance just his support. It may at least give you someone to turn to in your home life?

Typing it on his phone would be a compulsion, so no. You can discuss it with your partner if they understand OCD but ideally, it's best to try and un-engage with the thoughts and move on.

I know. I find that I have been ruminating for hours before I catch myself

I wouldn't look for an explanation, it'll drive you mad. Unfortunately, you need to leave it and ride out the anxiety.

Hi Cam, You won't be able to get your head around this until you stop engaging with the thoughts as it's only adding fuel to the fire. Relationships have to be based on trust, so you will need to take a leap of faith. It'll be tough, but you need to un-engage with the thoughts. Symps

Hi Gordon, Seeking reassurance is a compulsion as is ruminating. Symps

Tbh, I have not seen anyone on here with the exact same issues I have but if I put it I black and white, there's a trigger, an obsession and compulsions. So I need to take a leap of faith as to what it is.

Same. This is what I keep doing and repeating the cycle

Happy Birthday OCD UK forum! Thank you Ashley and everyone else who made this possible and helps out

No, I won't say so I may experience. I just feel that I am more able to respond to them in a assertive way, rather than be overwhelmed by them.

I take Sertroline 10mg and find it gives me a 'concrete base' for my mind I.e. I feel my brain is stronger at dealing with my OCD and I don't fall to pieces if I spike. I personally don't notice any side affects. Perhaps that is due to the low dose? But if you are worried about taking medication, it would be worth discussing this with your GP and requesting a low dose to begin with (you may find, like me, that's enough). I did used to take Citalopram, but I did think that made my head spin a little but again, I'm happy now on Sertroline. So it may also be a case of getting the right medication for you.

Glad you're feeling better and I hope you're assessment went well.

Morning Maggers, How are you feeling this morning? Symps

Merry Christmas to everyone on this forum, volunteer, member and guest a like. I hope 2024 is kinda to you and thankyou to Ashley and all at OCD UK for your hand work, time and dedication

When I was originally diagnosed, I was given Citalopram but it made me feel nauseous. This time I requested something else as I told them it made me nauseous so they gave me Sertraline 20mg and Propranolol (for the aniexty) and I don't get nauseous and I find it keeps my head more stable.

Hi Beeko, Is the worry surrounding the dark brightness or the thought of causing a nuisance should you make the changes? (I am wondering which matter the obsession is about?) If it's the brightness, then why not continue as you had previously planned? As you must have believed this to be correct originally. Symps

Hi Mulligan, I get the loneliness side of things. So often I feel responsible for so much going on in my head and it removes me from daily life somewhat to the point I don't feel part of events. But I also feel a lot of people do, whether they have OCD or not. Everyone's dealing with something in their life and it's good to remember that you haven't been singled out for punishment. It's good that you have identified what you wish to do to get better, if I had to add one to your list it would be, try not to be so hard on yourself and remember you are fighting a battle the best you can I'm not sure what your partner knows about OCD but could you discuss it with them and make it clear that you are not wanting reassurance? Or maybe just explain to them how it makes you feel and that sometimes you just need them to be there for you? Symps

Perhaps not but I can see it's the evaluation of having had these thoughts that you are stuck on. I get it. With me it's not the fact I had sexual thoughts, it's that I questioned what they meant and how they reflected on me and who I was (and also, that I can't always control them or let them go). It sucks that your mental health team isn't much use. I've been trying to get a hold of my GP all week for a referral to be tested for adult ADHD, but can't get through due to so many calls and when I do, all appointments have gone Can you self reffer to see a counsellor?

I used to find someone attractive and then fantasize about sexual activity with them. But now I try not to fantasize. It's almost as though the fantasizing aspect was a testing compulsion or that I 'had' to engage with the initial sexual thought as otherwise I'd loose that experience/feeling. Perhaps that's part of addiction, I'm unsure. But accepting that I can find someone attractive and leave it there, is helping me overcome it.