Lollipop

Sounds like a huge week for you @BelAnna and like you are doing really well. Some of that sounds very challenging (the shoes makes me wince but I guess that's usual behaviour for most people). I hope you can manage the days out and have some fun ?

Thank you @Caramoole. It's hard work and lots still to do but little by little. I'll have a think and post something in this thread. What about you @BelAnna?

Hi Nikki, sorry you're struggling. I was just wondering if there was anything that was triggering the intrusive thoughts to be a bit more sticky as I'm guessing from your posts you struggle then it improves then you struggle and on it goes. I'm not sure if this is helpful but I know for me say most special occasions I am troubled by the thoughts. Perhaps recognising that will help you know it's OCD.

Ah fab well done! Sounds like you did really well and good news on being fully jabbed too. That made me smile about you saying it's fairly obvious about the OCD a five year old girl was talking about me the other day to her mum when she said "what on earth is she doing?!". Hope you can book one of the other appointments you need soon. Also am I right in thinking you have a cafe trip planned? Hope you are okay after the jab too

How did it go @BelAnna?

Bite the bullet was exactly what I was going to say when I came into reply! You can so this. You've done it before. The more you do these things the easier they will become. You will feel anxious but it will pass ?

Hi @Madchoc Are you seeing a therapist at the moment to discuss this with? I think I remember you saying you have seen a therapist previously, on the work you have done from that situation what would they say you need to do with this? Could you do any of those steps to challenge this worry? If you've done theory A / theory B how does that apply to this situation? If you've not ignore me! Can I ask why haven't you been out for 5 or 6 weeks? Do take care and look after yourself. p.s. I have had to try so hard not to offer reassurance in this post it must be so hard for our loved ones

Funny isn't it the things we take on board from my mum's. My mum taught me never to sit on a public toilet seat. I did yesterday twice.

Sounds great. Enjoy yourself and thanks for sharing such an encouraging post

This is such an encouragement Nikki. Thank you for sharing. Really good to hear things are improving ?

Get on with your day the best you can. If you have work try to focus - I know this isn't easy. If you're at home how about popping out somewhere with your daughter? The playground, cafe, library just a change of scene. The anxiety will drop away, it has before and it will again. Sorry you are having such a hard time.

Hope you have a good day and can focus on your work, so hard I know.

Hi Nikki sorry to hear you have been having such a bad time. What can you do today to keep yourself busy and occupied with life?

Setting a timer for chores, perhaps just five minutes to start working up to fifteen is supposed to be helpful. I've never tried it and struggle myself with similar. There's a David Veale book called something like managing your mood which has some helpful tips for daily living.

Wow go you! Glad you had a good time and managed to do the "normal" things. Keep going now step at a time ??

How did it go @BelAnna?

Hi sounds like you are making some big steps forward well done. Perhaps it would be helpful to look at it as a kind of hierarchy so for me I would find it easier to meet a friend at a cafe (outdoors) so would do that a few times (and change the venue) before (when allowed) having someone visit my house or visiting theirs and then perhaps work up from having a cup of tea to tea and cake to a full meal. (I am dreading having to visit family due to my contamination fears (non Covid) ?) Keep going with the shopping and try and get a bit more variety of stores in to build your confidence. Small steps slow and steady you will get there. ?

I've not. There is some advice on private therapy here https://www.ocduk.org/overcoming-ocd/accessing-ocd-treatment/accessing-ocd-treatment-privately/

Hope you have a great time. Be brave

Got up, made coffee, had a shower and got dressed, spent five minutes making a tasty breakfast and more coffee, watched cartoons with your daughter, go for a walk, get on with your day I think basically Nikki. And don't come onto the forum to go over it, it's keeping it in your mind. Now in the interests of transparency this is not what I would do but I think it's what would be a better response ?

This

This is good Nikki. I don't really have much to add but one thing that has helped me (might be an ACT principle?) is "lead with values" so how can you get on with your life and what's important right now? Unfortunately I think that might mean taking OCD and anxiety along for the ride. Keep going you're doing great ?

This is a really helpful summary thank you @BelAnna

If it makes you feel any better I accidentally touched a public loo seat last week ? This isn't meant for reassurance but twelve months ago this would have completely freaked me out. I washed and sanitised my hands (too much maybe?) But I was able to move on with my day. Yes I was reassuring myself for a few minutes so by no means OCD free but I could let it go which was amazing!

Worth a listen thanks for sharing ?