Recovery Is One Very Essential Journey To Fulfilment

[taurean]

I am coming up to two years now since I last had significant OCD trouble, and it is so good to write this as I genuinely thought I might never do so. 

My audiologist told me on Thursday that she takes her clients on a journey to better hearing. Modern digital hearing aids need to be tuned over a few sessions until the digital channels within the aid are delivering the right bespoke hearing to the wearer. 

In CBT we are on a journey towards retuning our minds to give us the best mental experience. 

If we don't learn what we need to about how the disorder works in our case and challenge what it says (the cognitive side), well then the rest of therapy isn't going to work. 

We must work through the journey, prepare to believe, go with probability, and stop avoiding things and carrying out other compulsions. 

Because the rarified air at the end of the journey tastes sweet, it really and truly does. 

But to taste it, we must stick to the route planner and believe what others tell us. 

[leif]

1 hour ago, taurean said:

I am coming up to two years now since I last had significant OCD trouble

That's wonderful and very encouraging taurean.

 

1 hour ago, taurean said:

We must work through the journey, prepare to believe, go with probability, and stop avoiding things and carrying out other compulsions. 

I should write that on my wall as a daily reminder!

[taurean]

2 hours ago, leif said:

That's wonderful and very encouraging taurean.

 

I should write that on my wall as a daily reminder!

You should. It is fundamental to what we all need to be doing. 

[jenkijunki]

Congratulations!  

[taurean]

It's important to keep working the CBT therapy, keeping exposures topped up and not being tempted into compulsions. 

Once or twice recently the idea has popped into my head about avoiding an issue. What did I do? I just eased it mentally away, and didn't listen, didn't avoid. 

I consider myself in remission, am only too aware of the way the disorder can suck people back in. 

I don't worry, don't let things stress me - I just address them rationally and pursue what seem the best options. Currently I am laid up with a viral infection, so based at home and taking medication, with my lovely wife caring for me. But I expect all will sort itself out - I find adopting a laissez-faire attitude really helps. 

I use relaxation methods, get plenty of exercise and socialise. I keep my focus in the present through the use of mindfulness techniques. 

And I help others here, plus there is a local family I am helping too. OCD abounds sadly, with approximately one in a hundred people who are sufferers. By broadcasting the fact that I am a sufferer, and try to help others, people come to me if they think they may have OCD issues - which is so much better than the usual "suffer in silence". 

 

[malina]

Thanks for this post Roy, your story always brings me hope on my own journey. I’ve started learning that, as we recover, there are ups and downs. The downs seem awful because you were getting better and suddenly feel bad again. However, they are kind of necessary because as you get through a bad patch, you become even stronger and happier.