Help with OCD

[Rupes79]

Hi Everyone

I’ve been working with a psychologist to overcome an OCD issue and it’s been pretty heavy work.

Recently we’ve got to a point where I’ve been able to break the cycle and to a large extent stop the behaviour but oddly I’ve never felt worse. My anxiety is heightened and at time my mood is very low to the point I feel like crying.

She has my writing a daily journal about how I feel but the last couple of days I’ve felt so bad I haven’t even been able to write about. It’s too depressing to express.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? If so, what advice can you offer?

[Summer Rose]

Hi Rupes79

My daughter has OCD and I’ve supported her for over a decade. I want you to know that what you’re experiencing is very familiar to me. It’s okay and expected.

From my experience, OCD is a bully who doesn’t like to lose. Challenging OCD and breaking a ritual takes enormous courage. And when you’re breaking a habit it is common that a person’s distress will increase because what you’re doing is really hard and often very scary.

My daughter always feels this. I give her lots of support and distractions really help, which could be why your psych suggested a hobby. My daughter has taken up running to get through these periods—and it works for her. At this point in the battle, it’s just about getting through anyway you can.

And then as time passes, it gets easier. She will find that she has established a new limit on OCD, which is an amazing achievement, and feel good again.

Sadly, OCD really doesn’t like to lose. This is unfortunately a chronic illness with no cure. So, in time, my daughter finds that OCD will try to pop back up. OCD will heartlessly demand a new ritual. It is an endless and exhausting cycle.

Sometimes my daughter will let OCD have a win because she is too tired to fight. And that’s okay too, you have to be in a good place to engage. This is why sleep, diet, exercise and limits on alcohol are so important if you are living with OCD.

The good news is that with every win, you will learn something about your condition and yourself and this helps for future management. You will gain confidence. You will gain strength. You will progress.

It can get easier.

It’s a shame that medication hasn’t been helpful to you, as it can often take “the edge off” and help to set you up for greater success as you work through your therapy. I understand the challenges you face and empathise.

There is new research (Australian studies) available that establishes a link between gut health and OCD treatment, which suggests probiotics are useful. My daughter is trialling this now and finding benefits. (I am not a doctor and don’t know if this is some kind of placebo effect or genuine but I know my girl says it helps her.)

If this interests you, I would discuss it with your GP and your pharmacist. My pharmacist didn’t immediately know what I was talking about when I approached him, but he did some research and directed me to the right probiotic identified in the studies.

You hang in there. It can get better.

Kind thoughts to you

[Petal22]

Hi Rupes79,

I understand when I stopped doing my compulsions ( that kept me in my cycle) I would feel incredibly anxious in the moment but I would just sit with it and then put my attention on something in the present moment anything that would stop me from going back to this compulsion….. some of my compulsions were mental like seeking re assurance.

If I had a down day I’d remind myself that OCD works on a sliding scale so the good days will eventually out weigh the bad days… it takes a lot of perseverance and practice……. Once I had my skills down to an art they would come a lot quicker to me and I could disengage from the OCD cycle a lot easier……… ( this would keep me in the present moment) and not stuck in my head so I would get less down about my thoughts because I could stay in the here and now and not question or analyse my thoughts…. When I did question and analyse my thoughts id get down because I would think “ why am I having these horrible thoughts “ … I’d personalise them to myself.

I no longer do this…. I still have intrusive thoughts I have learned that this is normal every one does……. But I no longer chase the thought and get caught up in my cycle……. People who don’t have OCD just have the thoughts and then just move on they forget about them……

I feel the more you work on not getting caught up in the OCD cycle the better you will feel.

I enjoy walking so I try to do this daily while walking I try to be mindful, I enjoy going out for coffee with friends so I try to do this and while I’m with my friends I really pay attention to what they are saying.. it keeps my attention in the present moment…… it takes practice

I agree with Summer Rose it’s a shame you haven’t found a medication that suits you yet…. An antidepressant really helps one that’s suited to anxiety because it can take the edge off like Summer Rose has said and you can get a grip on the OCD and skills so what you are doing in therapy has a greater benefit…. I understand that some have side effects with myself it took about 6 weeks to work properly I did have side effects but now those side effects have disappeared.

Is a different medication something you would consider?

Keep persevering and practicing your skills …..you will get there it just takes time to master it…….Just keep going with it ……. You will learn to master your OCD.

Im here to chat to you… ask my anything 😊

[Petal22]

Hi Summer Rose,

I just wanted to say hi to you and I think you are such an amazing supportive mum to your daughter…

I understand it’s sometimes hard for someone s family to truly understand what a OCD suffer goes through but I can see that you really understand and I think that’s so beautiful that you have this knowledge and can help support others with OCD.

Im glad to hear your daughter is doing well, OCD is such a cruel disorder…….

Your daughter must have true courage 😊❤️

[Summer Rose]

Hi Petal22

Thank you for taking the time to write me such a kind message.

My daughter is the bravest person I know and I am so very proud of her. She fell ill at age 13, learning too soon that life isn’t fair.

As I have supported her over the years, I have dealt with emergency responders, mental health nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists and paediatricians. I have been there through an in-patient hospital admission and travelled with her to one of the world’s best OCD clinics for treatment. I have learned so much.

It has been a roller coaster ride of remarkable highs and lows, which often left me raw and exhausted. But it has also been an honour and a privilege to be part of her healing. And a blessing to now have an unbreakable bond with her.

You have done an amazing job on your journey. And your selfless sharing of insight from someone with the condition and unconditional support for others really matters.

The same goes for everyone here. Every win against OCD is a triumph. Every rest period well deserved. Each moment of relief a treasure. Each comprise to enable you to live with OCD understandable.

To everyone at different stages of their journey, you have my compassion, acceptance and understanding.

Kind thoughts to you

[Petal22]

Thank you Summer Rose for your kind words to me.

I believe I went through OCD so I could come through the other side to help others who are going through the condition. ( When I was in the grips of the condition I had a kind friend who told me “ it won’t be for nothing “ and my friend was so right I now see it as a blessing. OCD was one of the hardest things I have ever been through but I don’t regret having it because without it I wouldn’t have grown into the person I am today..

I can understand that it would have been so hard for your daughter to fall ill at 13… so young to deal with something that is so strong… she really is very brave… a warrior..

Your daughter was also very blessed to have a mum like yourself who stuck by her with unconditional love ❤️ You too are very brave and resilient.

I think that you are both amazing for coming through OCD the way you have together .

Its beautiful that you both have an unbreakable bond together and that your daughter has found healing…. ❤️🙏