ivybasil

When was the last time you spoke to your doctor?

Good to hear from you, NLL. Hope today is a better day.

Might be worth sending an email to the OCD UK team - they could help you get the right support! It's so frustrating sometimes trying to get the right help! You're doing the right thing though.

@Nolightleft - hope you're alright! Hang in there!

I'm so sorry this is happening, and know that we're all here for you. OCD is incredibly cruel and often difficult situations like this feel like they make it more prominent rather than less! Is there someone who can support you today?

This is entirely a personal choice but with the support of your doctor, it might be worth a try! I get stuck thinking that I can get by without meds probably, then I get an adjustment and it reminds me how much better I can feel WITH the medication! I often worry about not getting better too - the thought that "it'll always feel like this" when I'm at my worst...! It's difficult! You're not alone!

For sure - this is something that I find difficult too! Can you plan plenty of fun things to do while she's away?

I'm sorry you're going through this! You're not alone and I hope you find this forum helpful. Do you have a doctor or therapist at the moment?

Hi Mini, sorry you're struggling at the moment! Do you have a GP or therapist helping you at the moment? I have a similar experience - like there's always OCD background noise. Paul's suggestion is good - was going to say the same! There's a good exercise in Jon Hershfields "Mindfulness for OCD" book where you go for a walk and allow yourself to ruminate for ten minutes while you do. Let the thoughts go where they want. Then after ten minutes, put on a podcast or some upbeat music and focus hard on every word while you walk. Practice bringing your attention back to other things besides OCD.

The thought being constantly in your head is likely rumination - excessive thinking about something! It's rough, and mental compulsions can often be challenging for us to tackle! I'm in the same frustrating boat! GAD and OCD are often co-morbid though and a good therapist will be able to help you work through it!

Then lets take a moment to celebrate the achievement! You went to work, fed 600 people, all while facing OCD! You've made positive steps by getting support from your manager - they sound like they're willing to work with you in getting treatment. You're doing incredibly well, even if you don't feel it right now. Going to work and carrying on being busy is likely the best thing you can do right now - keep at it!

For me, sometimes it's a conscious effort. I can be thinking the thoughts or ruminating and part of the challenge is to refocus on what I'm doing. "Now I'm going to get a glass of water. I am opening the cupboard" - like, narrate what you're doing and be deliberately present

But you can

So happy to hear you had such a good time! Well done - a fantastic achievement!

I have OCD and am a theologian. I recently picked up a book that offered a really balanced perspective on prayer. It's called "Prayers for OCD: Understanding and healing" by Fay Sampson. I picked it up because some of the proceeds go to OCD UK The prayers are about finding the strength to challenge the compulsions and to trust a doctor with the things you want to confess to a deity. I like the idea of faith and medical care going together like that. I agree though - repeated prayers run the risk of becoming compulsive!