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]

Thank you for sharing your story, I appreciate the suggestion of self-talk and will try that as well, although with OCD it's probably a good idea to then externalise it so that I don't keep ruminating on the thought. But all these suggestions are helping so thanks.

[Nyny94]

Thank you I found this all very helpful, I wasn't entirely aware of the cycle so your words helped me to remember and look it up again so I really was appreciating having the OCD information. And thankyou I am hopeful I will beat it as well, so much appreciated.

[Nyny94]

I thank you for both comments I have looked into the self talk it may not completely help the OCD but it could be a starting point to look into more tools to perhaps adjust. I have also looked at ways to address this with my psychologist and I could look at meditation as well, I think I will look at different ways to help, maybe re-approach that I haven't tried or could re-try in the future.

[Petal22]

That’s ok 😊

Just another tip……. Rumination on a thought is also part of the OCD cycle, when you become aware that you are doing this disengage and practice mindfulness.

Yes meditation is one of the things that got me over the line….. you need to find one that teaches you to “ watch “ ( observe your thoughts………

I understand you’re seeing a phycologist which is great……. Is your phycologist familiar with what the OCD cycle and the process of OCD ?

I did my therapy at a clinic that specialised in OCD this therapy changed my life because it gave me all the tools I needed to master my OCD.

As a suggestion maybe you could see if you have a clinic that specialises in OCD in your area.

Please keep looking and learning new tools because once you have all the tools you need and the correct help from someone who specialises in OCD you can crack the code and master your condition and then you will fly.

[Nyny94]

sorry for the late reply but I will try and see if I can find a specialist, your insights and advice are very valuable and I thankyou for taking the time to reply to me. I think I will need to probably swap to someone who specialises in OCD shortly, as your very right finding the right tools will be immense help.

[Petal22]

That’s ok Nyny94 happy to help you.

Yes I believe the therapy that I did was a huge advantage for me because the clinic that specialised in the condition knew exactly what this condition is.

They where able to help the people suffering it, by providing the tools we needed so we could help ourselves to break free of OCD.

My therapy was an intervention into the OCD….. 

Good luck and keep persevering you will find the correct treatment for you.