Worried Over Nothing

[Nyny94]

I have OCD and Generalised Anxiety Disorder and up until now it has been going super well with no flare-ups, however, I bought some bond period undies and accidentally instead of putting them into a cold wash like normal hit the cycle button. Now the undies say cold wash and I have my OCD urges to follow instructions and now because I didn't wash them in cold and the normal cycle us like 40 degrees I am freaking out. I binned my clothes and I am terrified something bad is going to happen, I've booked a DRs appointment as recently my stress has been causing my anxiety and OCD to become a bit less manageable. Does anyone have advice? How do you handle something this simple that should be no big deal? I am terrified I have done something wrong and now my clothes cant be worn or that the washing machine can't be used or that the undies are somehow tainted. I know this sounds silly but I think my OCD and GAD are maybe being triggered by other stresses.

[Nyny94]

I also went as far as to reach out to Bonds customer care and it didn't help alleviate anything they just gave me a whole need to return to the store and they will be able to resolve your query. I know it's silly but my mind won't let it go.

[JED1980]

Hey

I know what you are feeling. I have something like OCD re doors being locked and closed.

If i take photis of them, i can reassure myself that all is ok.

I guess (and i know its hard) you could start by telling yourself no washing machine ever became tainted from doing its job of washing clothes. I find self talk can be helpful in these situations..

I know this probably won't help.. but i washed my kids in the normal cycle and she is totally ok. I think they say that because the undies may shrink.. again, self talk may help.

Have you seen a psych or counsellor around these issues? If so, have they given you any strategies to use when the GAD and OCD start rearing their heads? 

I know its hard, but we are always here to listen and help where we can. I can totally understand how you are feeling. 

[Nyny94]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me, I have been seeing a psychologist for a few years now and they have given me some strategies, usually, they involve self-talk and also waiting out the OCD to settle as it's cyclic. To be honest, having people just understand helps heaps because at least I know while my thoughts aren't rational other people do experience this too and I am not alone in it, feels a lot better and helps till I can talk to my Dr and Psychologist. I'm due to meet with my Psych in a week so I will again bring this up and see if there are any other toolbox strategies I can use in the meantime 🙂

[bit-lost]

I unfortunately have not suffered OCD or GAD, not to large extents anyway, but as someone impartial I am hoping that I can help. Nothing is going to happen given how you washed your clothes (you probably rationally know this but I am here to reinforce it). You are fine and everything will be fine. Trust me. What is probably more helpful in terms of what I can offer, is what I learned in therapy. I learned to challenge my thoughts. Find a thought you are having (e.g. your clothes can't be worn anymore) and find facts to support that and to challenge that. And analyse everything you write down... are they actually facts? Or are they just how you are feeling in this moment? For instance, if the clothes are undamaged, still fit and can be worn for their purpose, this would go against the thought that your clothes cannot be worn and need to be binned. What solid, objective evidence do you have for the opposing argument? This type of cognitive behavioural therapy has helped me so much, as I had some ridiculous thoughts back when my anxiety was very bad and writing out the facts really helped me. Making a doctors appointment is a really good first step. Ever since I sought treatment, things have been getting better. I wish you all the best and hope you find the treatment suitable for you sooner rather than later. I also hope this helps a bit. From someone that has ruined clothes completely by putting them on the wrong wash cycle, I can assure you that things will be fine and nothing bad will happen. Even if you damaged some clothes (which I don't think you did). 

[bit-lost]

I have just realised that GAD stands for Generalised Anxiety Disorder so I retract what I previously said. I have suffered it badly. OCD not so much. Treatment has been a god send and I find that the anxiety is pretty much entirely under control now. Happy to chat, as I know what those times are like when anxiety hits. 

[JED1980]

You are doing all the right things and believe me.. i get it.

I will share my story 🙂 

My partner has two inside cats. They cannot and do not go outside.

So when we moved int ogether he was constantly saying to me about the doors. I developed an irrational fear about the doors and cats getting out.

To deal (and i know its not real healthy) i take photos, so i know they are closed, and i've not left them open.

Ive tried self talk, and it does work.

Always here if you need a chat

Jx

[Petal22]

Hi Nyny94,

Im sorry you are dealing with OCD I understand first hand how debilitating this condition can be.

I also suffered with this condition but after alot of perseverance and practice I’ve mastered the condition.

Are you aware of what your OCD cycle is ?

When you have your first initial intrusive thought this is where you need to “ choose “ how you will react to this thought?

When we have the first intrusive thought this is where we tend to spiral if we don’t disengage from the OCD cycle when it first begins.

We can interrupt the cycle by using mindfulness at certain stages of the cycle.

1. You put the cycle on cold

instead of reacting in a negative way you could just say oh well I know they are washed and that’s the main thing.

2. When your OCD urges come through.

Just observe them don’t get caught up in them …… re direct your attention onto something else in the present moment.

When the urges repeat just keep re directing your attention.

You are terrified you have done something wrong……. ( this is analysing) and part of the OCD cycle.

Disengage put your attention on something else in the present moment……. 

When you get to know all of the stages of your cycle you can disengage from it at certain stages.

You really can beat OCD…. Don’t loose hope 

[Petal22]

Hi JED1980,

Im sorry you are also dealing with this.

I understand you take the photo for reassurance.

Reassurance and reassurance seeking is  also part of the OCD cycle… it’s a compulsion 

We break out of the cycle by stopping the things we do to keep us in it.

Yes it’s hard at first but if you can just refrain from doing this compulsion it’s a win for you.

Yes you will feel anxious by not doing this at first but you just need to try to sit with the anxiety until it passes and yes it will pass.

Instead of putting your attention on what’s happening inside your mind put your attention on your breath follow it allow it to anchor you…. When your mind wanders again bring your attention back to your breath.. it takes practice 

I understand self talk doesn’t work for you, in my experience I felt this way too initially but after practice I realised that I wasn’t my thoughts I was the observer of them, when we say positive self talk to ourselves our minds will respond back or keep trying to repeat the OCD cycle but your mind is just that part of the human body it’s job is to think.

But you the one who is doing the self talk that’s you…..

Meditation was a great tool to use to learn this concept. It takes time 

[Nyny94]

thankyou for taking the time to respond to me, I appreciate the invitation to chat as well. I am hoping that my Dr's appointment and psych appointment help me get to a manageable level. However, I think writing it out is a good idea and it may help to maybe also use writing to keep track of my thoughts and feelings.