Hedgehog

Hey @Chris1987, I tried Sertraline and also found it very helpful. I don't know the answer to your question (it was a few years ago and I don't really remember whether I experienced this or not), but remember to treat these new thoughts the same way you would treat other OCD thoughts. @snowbear recently explained to me how to handle OCD thoughts. Here's a link to her post: I also have a friend who uses a method from Nathan Peterson (a Youtuber therapist) called "maybe, maybe not". Whatever is going round their head they say that in response. They don't think about what "maybe" or "maybe not" would actually mean - they just give this flippant response to cut off the thought cycle. I hope this helps and that someone else knows the answer to your main question.

Thank you @snowbear, it's really helpful to know that's the recommended tactic. Really appreciate the lengthy message explaining that. @Slime Mold Hello, your icon has the little hand symbol on it that indicates you're new here - welcome I more often have OCD that results in physical compulsions (like checking things or cleaning things) so I know that with ERP I have to avoid doing those things, but I wasn't sure how to handle this one as there wasn't a physical compulsion.

Sorry... I thought I had sent my final reply above when I thanked you both and now I realize I'm not sure how to proceed. How can I use ERP (or another method?) to stop going round in circles, @snowbear?

I'd be interested in joining a meet up too, if there are any.

Hi @snowbear and @deValentin I just wanted to thank you both sincerely for your replies. I was scared of what the responses would be but your messages were both very helpful and kind. Thanks to you, I'm fairly confident now that there is an OCD element to this - and I think knowing that is the first step. Fingers crossed I'll be able to combat it. Best of luck to you both.

Hi everyone, I just found this post as I was searching for previous posts on Nathan Peterson as my friend has had success with his videos. Particularly his "maybe, maybe not" approach has been useful to them. The idea is that an OCD thought pops into their head, and they say "maybe, maybe not". They don't have to really believe that it doesn't matter, as the phrase implies, but just get used to that being the response. And you don't actually think about what the maybe means, or what the maybe not means, you just say it as a flippant response. Another thing is, if they start to get a new rumination, they say "wow I would love that to become a new OCD thing for me. wouldn't that be fantastic, I would just love to add that to my list." I'm not sure if that's another Nathan Peterson thing or not. I was going to start trying it myself. If anyone has thoughts on these particular approaches I'd be interested to hear. It's the only thing that has really helped my friend so far. Thank you!

Hi everyone, I've had OCD since I was about 13, and usually I can recognise it pretty easily, but this time I am not sure. Several years ago, I did something that I regret deeply. It was not criminal, but immoral. From an outsider's perspective, that thing is in the past, but recently I keep thinking about it - mostly about guilt, about whether keeping it a secret is the right thing to do, about whether I will go to hell. From the outside, everything is good now and that thing is in the past. If I address it, everything will be bad, so I don't want to do that, but maybe I have to confess this guilt to ever get over it. How do I know if it's OCD? Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.

Hello, I have had OCD for 15ish years, mostly checking and contamination OCD. i am now also wondering if I might have relationship OCD (ROCD I think it’s called??) but I don’t know much about it. i had a huge amount of anxiety around my relationship a few years ago. I was very unhappy in the relationship but too anxious to leave. I was too scared of making the wrong decision. Things are much better but I’m still not 100% sure it’s what I want long term. Started to panic about it a couple of times today. Can anyone tell me about ROCD to see if I might have that or if these are feelings I should be listening to? I really appreciate any responses. Thank you all very much!

@L.M. thanks for joining in on the thread I think it's so nice that you've included those last two bullet points that are all about being kind to the people you care about.

Yeah that’s tough. So, in a sense is it helping with the OCD, or making it worse at other times too? i read that some people find the pill makes anxiety and other mental health problems better whereas others find it makes them worse ? SO complicated isn’t it. i hope you’re feeling much better soon but perhaps talk to your doctor if possible? I assume they knew you suffered from anxiety and ocd when they prescribed it? I read that if depression is an issue you should discuss with doc before going on the pill. Wishing you a good night’s sleep

Hi Summer, I'm really sorry to hear it's having this impact on you Personally I've never had this kind of side effect, but some of my friends didn't stay on it because it impacted their emotions. I just did a quick Google and it looks like it can take 2-3 months for your mood to stabilize after starting the pill.

Hello, I'm sorry I'm not familiar with your story so not sure how to help but I just wanted to wish you well and hope you get a good night's sleep. I hope you manage to dismiss your thoughts, as they're just thoughts, and get on with enjoying your new job - congratulations on that, by the way! Remember you know you have OCD, and make the most of any ERP knowledge you have. Good luck, you can do this!

Hi Phil, I am so sorry to hear about your partner, and the difficult times you've had recently. When I self-referred to IAPT there was a long waiting list, and while I waited they gave me a buddy similar to what you are talking about. She called me every so often for a quick chat. It's the only time I've really talked to someone like that, on the phone, about our similar experiences that are so unusual. Maybe you'd enjoy volunteering for this kind of role with IAPT? ?

Hello, I thought it might be nice and motivational to share our goals for when we get better. For me at least, I mostly just focus on getting over the specific focus of my OCD at the time. But there are actually loads of things that might be better once I get things under control. Some are more OCD-related than others. For example: I will be comfortable in my house no matter what I touch My hands won't hurt I can spend more time doing things I enjoy and less time on rituals That means I could start reading again, and drawing I used to love reading, but anxiety and thoughts made it hard, but that used to be my favorite thing and I could get it back If I start reading more I could learn more I might take up new studies I am already doing better in my career as I don't have to re-read things repeatedly anymore I would be more confident in my decisions and therefore more assertive and therefore get what I want more I could do more house projects Me and my husband might argue less I might feel ready to have a baby I'm already doing great in my career, and working on ERP for my home. I can see things starting to come together and I hope this might help others see the same for themselves. ?

I have tried this too! My therapist suggested it. The reason I like it is that, as a person with OCD, I do tend to doubt. But the one thing in the world that I know for sure... is that I have OCD. So there's always a whole lot of evidence for the right theory !!!

Hello, I haven't had this one, but I believe it is common among people with OCD. I've had other problems with intimacy in the past though so no need to be embarrassed. Mine were mostly fears around getting pregnant. I'm no expert but I believe the worst thing to do is to avoid the intimacy, as avoidance can make OCD worse - if you avoid for too long you might be more fearful of it next time and make the OCD worse. I think most likely the goal would be to use ERP - so continue intimacy and dismiss the thoughts. They don't matter. Remember, your thoughts are not actually you. it doesn't matter what thoughts pop through because they're just OCD - they're not a reflection on you. Good luck ?

Hi @lily17 I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this Do you have any idea why you now want the things to be tidy or clean - what is the fear / driving force behind this OCD? That being said, there is no need to know a reason - I believe the advised solution would be ERP anyway - to resist the compulsion to tidy and clean. Remember that before, you were happy without everything being perfect - and that there is no problem with the mess really, the problem is OCD. Do you have any support in place- medication, therapy? Thanks for teaching me a new word I just looked up ego-dystonic, very interesting. Best of luck, you can do this. ?

Hi @Hd120820, I had some side effects from Sertraline originally (i don't remember anxiety-based ones though, mostly sickness etc) but since it has been working it has been a fantastic change for me. Totally worth the initial side effects from my point of view. And it makes ERP possible by taking the edge off. I hope you find them helpful.

I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this @Ray. I'm not familiar with the system in Wales - over here in England I self-referred to IAPT, I've no idea if that would be the same. I also got Sertraline just at a routine appointment with my GP, and he's the one that told me about IAPT. I don't know if you already tried these things, and I'm sorry I don't have more info to help you. Just wanted to add to the chain to try and provide some support, I really hope the days are getting better.

Ah@Saffron37when I first read this post I thought "that is so kind" and now I recognize your name from posting a few times so that was nice to put these thoughts together (I still have 2 books ready to read but thank you again.)

Hi @Syed Yasir Shah I'm sorry to hear your profession is so difficult with your OCD Are you getting any OCD treatment? Best wishes!

Hi @Summer9173 I'm so sorry you're having such difficulty getting the help you need. I got the prescription for my Sertraline just from my GP - is that an option for you to get the medication quicker? He just took me at my word that I had OCD, super easy and it has really helped me. He also suggested I self-refer to iapt. I do of course think it would be best to see your CMHT team as well though, this suggestion is just in case it means you get the medication with less palaver. Well done on staying strong and continuing to persevere with your recovery. You're never alone in this. It might feel like it sometimes, but reading the forum helps us realize there are lots of people like us who have managed to overcome our OCD, and we can do it too ? Stay strong, you're seeking help, you're going to have a wonderful bright future. ?

Hi @Handy yes, I believe OCD is considered different here in the UK too. Hi @CaramooleAfter speaking with my mum, we are not sure if this is OCD or just more standard worries. I now have a dilemma: 1. If I tell her about my OCD and talk to her about OCD it could help her nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand, as she may be at a stage where it's easier to treat with ERP. BUT 2. If I tell her, I alternatively might give her the incorrect idea that she has OCD and make it worse, by increasing her anxiety. So I'm not sure what to do for the best. My mum doesn't want me to put the idea of OCD in her head as she thinks it is more likely to be worries brought on because my sis says she doesn't have anything real to worry about at the min, and because things are going well she's just watchful that something might come and ruin it. It sound like at the moment she has been able to find ways to keep things at a certain level.

Hi @Gemma@OCDUK, I wondered if you might know more as @Robin43 said he saw this on the OCD-UK site

@BelAnna thank you so much for replying. If I mention OCD to her though do you think there’s a chance she might look into it and it might become that even if it isn’t currently?