NickB

Hi there everyone Anyone into online gaming and want to play some games together, even stream live on Twitch? I am currently playing New World which I think you have to pay for. But also, there is Star Trek online, which is free to play. Any other suggestions?? Open to offers (so to speak !!) And Happy Christmas Nick

Thanks people, thank you for your advice. I have to say it is an NHS project and I have replied saying I am interested. However, I'm still not sure. I am to have a call later about it. Part of me thinks "go for it" and another part says "no way". I did have my OCD in a better place, and of course, this uncertainty has triggered it off. So you know what it's like. HOwever, I don't want my OCD to stop me from attempting new things. Some part of me thinks this could really help me manage it better. My meds haven't really helped. However it is experimental, it is in trial form, so completely unsure really. Hey ho, life goes on. Happy Christmas too - to those who celebrate it and happy festive time or have a great day to those who don't celebrate it. !! Got to keep smiling that's what I say - laughter is the best medicine Nick

HI all, Can i ask a question? (it;s a bit daft starting a question this way as I am going to ask it !). If you had the chance would you take part in a trial which involves trying Psilocybin? I am not sure what to do, as I have the opportunity with a global pharmacy organisation. My OCD has actually calmed down quite a lot, and then this offer came up and my OCD flared up, all because of the uncertainty, etc. So now I am in one of those conundrums which OCD seems to love when there is lots of uncertainty. Practically destroyed my sleeping last night. Just wondered what people may think, what to do? Hope people are OK out there too, and HAPPY CHRISTMAS, I am determined to focus on happiness this coming year N

HI OCD Veteran Thank you for this lovely post. This gives me so much optimism. I am recovering from OCD and I am glad to say in recovery. I took your advice and watched some of the Ali Greywood videos. They really are helpful. I am learning to do the right things too. Thank you Take care N

hahahahahaah

no problem there, let's try playing and we can chat too Ok, I'll set up another thread too, a bit more inclusive

I know what you mean about RDR2, i keep going back to it, mainly because it is such a big game. However, I am about to start playing Odyssey ! Love big role playing games with massive landscapes, I love the feeling of being in a completely new world

Don't feel intimidated, I'm no good at all, especially Fortnite, can hardly play it, but I am good at hiding !! What games you got - that would be a good place to start?

Thank you. I have found an app called Phizz actually, just recommended to me by a nurse. Thanks i'll check out Loona too ! thanks again Lynz

HI All, Can I ask a question about sleep. Unfortunately my quite serious insomnia has come back. Has anyone got any advice? I've spoken to my Doctor again who has given me a short supply of Zopiclone (obviously he doesn't want to give me too many due to their addictive qualities). I have asked to see a Psychiatrist as I mentioned Quitepine (??) as a supplement to my Citalopram (40mg). My Doctor wont prescribe the Q drug saying it is something a Psychiatrist should prescribe and it's quite a hard drug! Which scares me to be put on it in the first place. However, I am being referred to a Psychologist first, so no Psychiatrist. Therefore, I am left with sleep hygiene and Zopiclone for the short term. The sleep hygiene did work for a while, but for some reason I am going through a bad phase again. Any ideas? I've also got a few Melatonin around, but I find these aren't really doing much. In the meantime, I am cycling a lot and keeping busy - so I assume if I have a bad night, I may not have a bad night the next night, etc I'm trying meditation again too and Yoga on Monday evenings (although that is yet to start) Nick

HI Ashley I think that would be a good idea actually. Nick

Hello All, Anyone fancy something more positive and joining up for an online gaming session! No idea what - PUBG, etc whatever we have I guess !

YES !!

Thank you - I am doing just that. I am fortunate enough and lucky enough to have a job and work from home. So I can downtime, whenever I feel like it. I can also go out when necessary. So, today's plan is, do a work task, relax. do another work task, relax. Keep mind off my chest pain. Relax, etc. Then bed ! I should be able to sleep a reasonable time too. And I will also go cycling later - job done ! Tonight my partner is out, so it's Walking Dead tonight with some decent food and ONE pint of cider. Maybe some piano practice !! Go for it Determination987 - let's keep this going ! Nick

Yes it is. My anxiety awoke me at 5am. Did the breathing, didn't really help, but I think I managed an extra 30 mins of sleep. Horrible chest pains again. However I am going to get up and start the day. Bring it on. I deserve to live a good life

Wow. I wish I'd read this earlier. I had a terrible day and also the horrid anxious chest feeling. But I need to get on with the day too. Thank you

Wonderful to hear too. I have a question . How can ERP work if you have mental ruminations rather than doing an actual compulsion? It's all in the head and I certainly don't want to make them real outside my head.

How lovely to hear. I knew it could be treated effectively.

Hi all, Can I ask a question as tonight I've gone really depressed? I've been reading up on new treatments for OCD and they all seem a bit wild and out there. Plus the evidence doesnt seem to suggest they help out much anyway, e.g. transcranial, psychedelic, etc. Now I know CBT with ERP is the "gold standard" so I'm using that. However I just wanted to know that we can get better? It's just reading stuff on the net all seems so negative and depressing. I feel like us OCD people are just too complicated to treat. I'm sure that's not the case so I thought I'm going to ask and I will say it get reassurance and I want to be positive. So am I right we are NOT a lost cause and we can get well Xx Nickb

Hi Ashley, Ok thanks ! I know what you mean about trying to make an informed choice ! No idea. I may stay on Citalopram for another month at 40mg and see. Thanks again Nick

Hi Felix Many thanks for replying. Ok, I'm still not sure what to do. Ill have a think about it and see. It's weird it's not the OCD which is the problem but the anxiety - which just seems to come on at 5am in the morning. Very odd Take care Nick

Hi all, Can I ask a question about medication. I'm having a particularly bad time with anxiety. I am currently on Citalopram (40mg). Only been on this dos about a week but been on 20mg for about a month. I read on the NHS website that SNRIs rather than SSRIs help to treat anxiety as well. I'm thinking of coming off Citalopram and trying one of the SNRIs like Duloxetine or Venlafaxzine or whatever is it's called. Any advice, or best to stick to Citalopram 40mg and give it longer? Thanks all - hoping u have a good day on this sunny morning xx Nick

Hiya Caroline, Nice to talk to you. How's things? Getting there with the sleep. Still problematic but more manageable. Just had a session with a therapist too. Very emotional but got a lot off my plate - as they say Take care Nick

Fantastic. I'll carry on. Thank you Mini

Hi all, Can I just run a few strategies by you to see if I am doing this CBT right. My compulsions are mental, lots of mental checking, however I've decided when the thoughts appear, i immediately tell myself they are "just intrusive thoughts made by a sticky brain reacting to a misfiring chemical" I get a rush of anxiety, but I let it flow over me. I don't fight it, I just sit it out Then I tell myself to do something positive, e.g go shopping, get out, exercise, take the dog for a walk, (I would say see a friend but they all seem busy hey ho). I also get out down to Starbucks and take my laptop and continue to write my sci fi novel. I tell myself, OCD you are just a thought, meaningless thought, you do not symbolise me or who I am. I am not you. This is OCD. I also say " I am not losing any more of my life to you" and I get on with what I want to do. Sometimes it's hard, especially in the morning, but I seem to get through it and get on with my life. I believe I am building new brain connections which are pushing OCD away. Does this all seems positive and am I doing the right things? Just wanted a perspective from others Thanks N