Mini

Hi @MattMorgan I have completed the online survey. Are you doing any more in depth research as part of your work? Eg interviews etc Also, when do you hope to publish your findings? Thank you

I wasn’t particularly scared of my therapist, though scared of what they thought about my thoughts. It depends whether it’s a usual ocd/anxiety worry or you just don’t get on. If you don’t get on then maybe you should try and get someone else.

Thanks all, sorry I haven’t replied earlier but I’ve had a particularly tough week and even forgot that I had posted. Thanks all for the advice, you are all very kind. This may sound strange but I feel like my personality has totally changed and that I was always positive but terrified of everything but now I’m so negative and feel evil about everything. I’m so worried that it’s more than depression but that may be more ocd ruminating.

I’m struggling with depression. Having had ocd for many years. Do I have therapy for depression in the first instance?

This is great, thanks Handy. A whole day is going to be difficult but I do get very small glimmers that I can build on.

Thank you @Garfield that’s very kind. Hope you’re doing okay.

My usual worry about unwanted thoughts and my head feeling weird is getting me down. I have very much unwanted thoughts about harm , my memory is really bad. My head often feels strange. I’m so worried that I have schizophrenia. i was working with a private ocd therapist for a while but had to stop as it was very expensive. I’m trying to remember and use the ERP from then. It’s difficult when it makes you feel so down. I just want one day where I feel normal.

Good advice, thanks @Garfield

I have had something similar. I started taking hrt and felt really angry. A horrible unwanted thought flashed the my mind. I have wasted so much time debating whether it’s still OCD or if I’ve developed something like schizophrenia. The thoughts now sometimes repeat, all completely unwanted. It almost feels like a combination of OCD and post traumatic stress for me. I wish I could go back and not latch onto that thought. Please try and let it go , we are all human and can have unwanted emotions and thoughts, either OCD or otherwise. It really doesn’t matter. What matters is our reaction and whether we let it take over our lives. I know it’s not easy - I’m still struggling with this myself. Sending strength.

Good advice- thank you

Thanks @Christina. Yes I’m trying hrt again from a menopause clinic. But I’m really sensitive to medication and struggling a lot. How are you?

Very true @Ashley. Glad it’s all sorted.

Struggling with head pressure, brain fog and tinnitus. It’s a common menopause symptom but why do I always think my brain is damaged and I’m going mad. My mind is always racing and I feel like I can’t control my thoughts which doesn’t help. i also have repeat anger thoughts which are very much unwanted from when I burnt out and my mind reacted to lots of stress. I’ve worked with an ocd therapist on this and am now working with a vagus nerve therapist. Can anyone relate?

This is great, thank you so much for organising!

You don’t need to declare it especially as it is not diagnosed. I think your ocd is effecting your thinking on this a bit.

I’ve experienced the same, I think sometimes therapists believe they have done a good job and don’t want to think they haven’t made much difference. A bit like an ego thing or perhaps I’m being too critical?

Hi Yasmin, hopefully the acupuncture is helping you. I’m tempted to try it myself. Let me know how you get on this week. Definitely one day at a time!

Hi, thanks for the suggestion. Yes I’m in my 50s and I had my tested a few weeks ago. I’ve got perfect hearing except at very high pitches. They recommended online cbt for tinnitus which I’m trying. Also possible hearing aids but the tinnitus therapist said that my hearing is so good it wouldn’t work. If I’m honest I know it’s caused by stress and my ocd.

I’m not managing very well at all at the moment. I’m trying to do some relaxing breathing and yoga everyday but my mind and horrible thoughts quickly undo any relaxation that I’ve done. I feel like I’m in constant flight or fight mode. My head also feels weird a lot of the time. How are you doing?

Filled in the survey- the research looks really interesting and addresses something (anger) that has often worried me as it’s not really highlighted as being linked with ocd.

Hi, I have tinnitus which normally sounds like a high pitched fizzy or white noise sound. For a long time I didn’t even realise that was what it was and worried that the sound was things changing in my brain. My primary fear is that I am going crazy and the fizzing has fed into that. I also worry a lot that I’m hearing things, especially at night. Put together with my old harm ocd the combination has been difficult. Stress also makes tinnitus worse, I know it’s a big component for me. Try to do some relaxation if you can.

I used to look after patient data and had similar dilemmas, believe me, you don’t need to check. Good luck in your new job.

I bought a second hand flow headset but unfortunately I haven’t had any improvement whilst using it. There is a flow facebook group that is helpful. It does seem to be helpful for depression. However, quite a few say it makes anxiety worse. Keep going and see how you feel l good luck!

I often have to go back over conversations and rehearse conversations I’m going to have. It is exhausting.i git very anxious during pregnancy. Memory also naturally decreases a little during pregnancy and when you have your baby due to everything else going on. Try to distract yourself with getting on with your day. You know deep down that past conversations aren’t important.

You don’t need to challenge every thought. Maybe try just letting them be there and get on with other things. I know it’s not easy and much easier said than done. I’m struggling too. Really hope things feel a bit better soon.