OCD stopping me

[Nyny94]

My OCD is suddenly stopping me from doing things I never even thought would be an issue before . I've recently organized with my Dr for professional psychiatric help , but lately my OCD/anxiety is out of control. Lately I can't even do something simple like get my eyebrows waxed because I'm worried I'll get some kind of disease or they aren't going to be clean enough, it's nothing to do with the places around me as I have no problem with other ethnicities I just get scared that the hygiene standards may not be good, or that I'll contract some kind of blood borne disease. Looking up internet horror stories doesn't help.

I can't seem to get a handle on my OCD and it's stopping me doing my normal things 😔

[Birdy77]

Hello Nyny94,

Sorry things feel a bit out of control for you at the moment.

It's really good to hear that you have arranged for some extra supoort through your mental-health team.

I am going to reply as if you are my friend, ringing me up to nut-out this thing.

I know this doesn't solve your bigger issues, but looking at the smaller issues:

How would you feel about waxing your own eyebrows? This way, you know everything is to your cleanliness standards. (I've been doing this for many, many years ... it saves so much money as well).

I know this doesn't solve OCD problems, and isnt a mental-health solution As Such. But in my mind, it is actually taking control of a controllable situation until you can receive some extra professional support from your psychiatrist etc for the broader issues of your heightened OCD/anxiety and others here will probably have more helpful ideas in regard to this.

🌻birdy

[Birdy77]

Hello again Nyny94,

After posting my reply to you, my own anxiety has flared!!

I want to assure you that, although i only gave you a practical eyebrow-grooming solution (🙄) i totally understand that it is a big overarching OCD/anxiety issue and i hope it didn't feel like i was minimising your anguish in any way.

I just wanted you to feel heard and welcome.

I am sure that you will be helped immensely from the therapy you have arranged, and there are ithers here on the forums who will hopefully share some strategies with you (which don't include horror internet stories).

In the meantime, i hope you feel welcome here and please know that you can talk about whatever ails you, we all understand how difficult it can be to get through so-called simple everyday tasks while dealing with these issues that make every single thing feel like a big chore.

Big welcome 😊

🌻birdy

[Nyny94]

I'm sorry your anxiety flared up , but you know your warmth and understanding really was lovely so thankyou from the bottom of my heart. I'm still anxious but after your comments I felt as though I was heard and valued. I'm not sure if I'm ready to get my brows done and may just pluck them at home , but your words a made a huge difference and thankyou so much. It all really helped I'm still sorting through my stuff but your comments really relived some of that feelings of hopelessness so I appreciate it greatly so thankyou

[Birdy77]

Dear Nyny94,

I am so relieved, thank you so much!

I truly understand how debilitating and limiting anxiety can be, it can make every little thing feel so difficult and sometimes impossible.

Do you have a time-frame for when you will be able to have support from a psych? I imagine that might feel like relief, to know that you will have that help, especially as you feel like it's out of control and limiting your activities so much.

I think you should treat yourself to one of those little waxing kits that are easy to use at home, take some of the pressure off yourself, and help you to feel good too.

I hope you can find some pockets of calm in your day today!😊

🌻birdy