@@justmadeit2 Yeah it was not a good time for sure, OCD can really rob us of so much happiness & joy. It’s so sad because we miss out on so much when OCD is in control but we can definitely take the reins back! 😊💪 Xx
Im struggling again. I confided in a friend some personal stuff now I’m obsessing about telling her because really there was no reason to. Probably I was looking for reassurance which is a type of ocd in itself. Even hours later or days later I can ruminate and agonise on things. My long running insomnia is down to anxiety and an agitated mind
@@justmadeit2 Hey sorry to hear this, yeah that does sound like classic OCD reassurance seeking. The best thing you can do is let those thoughts be there with complete relaxed awareness that they are there but when you feel yourself getting pulled in to them be like ‘Ok OCD you nearly got me but not today!’ as passive as possible whatever is natural for you. Honestly it will feel so repetitive at first but the more you do it you’ll notice those intrusive thoughts & rumination getting less. Just remember as least involvement as possible so no analysing, problem solving or trying to work anything out. We’re not trying to get rid of anything, it’s hard at first but it most definitely works! I hope this helps to calm your mind & give you some better sleep! 😴🤞 Xx
@@stuckinthemudofficial I just feel very very depressed and it’s scary. I had been doing a bit better and eating ok, now I’m off my food again and sleep is poor
@@justmadeit2 I do understand having gone through a depressive episode recently myself & the lack of sleep/ food is only going to compound everything. Just know better days are coming, I know it can be hard to see when you’re in the thick of it but you will get back there. Celebrate those small wins whether that be not engaging in a compulsion like rumination, managing to eat a meal or getting out socially. 😊 Xx
Hi kirsty. I'm really struggling at the moment with my OCD. It came back literally from nowhere in April, after 10 years of being very in the background. It is also an OCD 'theme' that i havent had for over 15 years, which i thought I'd dealt with. It's really distressing me, i actually had a nervous breakdown in April/may over the thoughts, i was completely non-functioning. I am more than likely in peri-menopause, so wondering if the fluctuating hormones caused the return of this. I am on Venlafaxine (which worked for me years ago, but doesnt seem to be working as well this time) and Doctor has put me on Hrt, which i started last week. Really hoping it makes a difference as i cant live my life like this. I try and do all the erp and tools of not engaging with my thoughts, or seeking reassurance, but its so hard sometimes. Any advice? Thanks xxx
@@helenmorris8089 Hey sorry to hear you’ve been going through a tough time with this. 😞You sound very similar to me in that you’re very likely in peri menopause & after researching those fluctuating hormones can bring on OCD & anxiety. This is where I have also found myself in the last 3 years, it really took me by surprise as I’d been so well for a good while. I’ve also heard you’re more likely to suffer a relapse if you’ve experienced mental health disorders in your past during this time. Medication has definitely helped me to get back to a functioning state during these last few years & my OCD overall is stable. I also found my old medication stopped working as well for me probably down to our changing bodies so was put on Venlafaxine. Then we reintroduced a smaller dose of the old one Clomipramine which is considered the ‘gold standard’ in OCD medication, although most GP’s don’t generally prescribe it due to the fact it’s not widely used. I found this amazing for my OCD & it made the intrusive thoughts much easier to let go, however it’s an older drug so had some side effects that not everyone may tolerate like dry mouth, trembling hands which both subsided over time. I would say during this challenging time I’ve learnt a great deal about myself & my OCD. I’ve realised to come to a level of acceptance about all the intrusive thoughts I get now, this of course doesn’t mean I want them or have to like them but once we acknowledge they are there with kindness to ourselves we understand they are nothing more than a passing event in the mind. We then realise it’s just OCD trying to get its grips into us again but it doesn’t have to, I know this can be easier said than done at times especially during this transitional time in a women’s life. This is why self compassion goes a long way towards healing, I have found that out myself because none of this stuff is easy to deal with but we’re doing our very best. I sincerely hope you’re feeling a bit better & just know we’ve got this especially on those difficult days. You’re doing amazing, all the best Kirsty. 😊❤️🫶 Xx
@stuckinthemudofficial thank you for replying. It's such a tough time. I am trying so hard to accept the thoughts for what they are, just thoughts, but they distress me so much and the anxiety is so bad, heart palpitations etc. I then think, it's not going away with everything I try, is it really ocd or just who I am?! Did you ever question if it was really ocd? I'm so glad you're doing better now. X
@@helenmorris8089 Yes I understand how hard it is & it takes some time to build up a level of tolerance to those intrusive thoughts & uncomfortable feelings/sensations within the body. The biggest lie OCD will try to convince you of is if this is all you & not OCD but I can tell you for sure this is all OCD. I always experienced this myself, we certainly wouldn’t be anxious if we enjoyed all of the intrusive thoughts. Take it in small steps & celebrate the wins when you manage to leave a thought alone or refrain from carrying out a ritual whether that be physical or mental rumination. Most importantly be kind & gentle with yourself, you will get there. Much love Kirsty! 😊🫶 Xx
Is it normal for intrusive thoughts to become a loop? My intrusive thoughts involve "accidentally" making impossible promises to God (such as promising to never read, write, etc.) and my mind keeps looping it, I catch myself audibly saying "STOP IT STOP shutupshutup" under my breath very often or shaking my head violently as if to disagree with these thoughts. Is this common? How on Earth did it get this bad? I had OCD for a while but the thoughts never started "looping" until about August 10!
@@norikokomikado Hi thanks for watching yes certainly you can get in to intrusive thought loops, I’ve been there myself many times. The more we involve ourselves with them the stronger they get as it reinforces the obsession because we’re on high alert trying to neutralise them with compulsions whether they are mental or physical ones. The best thing we can do is let the thoughts be there, so what does that mean? It means as least involvement as possible so instead of audibly or internally telling them to stop be passive & say ok I know you’re OCD trying to get me hooked in but not today! They will keep popping up but it’s about keeping that relaxed awareness of their presence without actively getting involved, it doesn’t mean we agree with the thoughts or like them but by doing this they will gradually reduce in volume & frequency. I sincerely hope this helps you, wishing you all the very best! 😊❤️ Xx
@@stuckinthemudofficial No sane person promises to never read or write, so this thought loop has REALLY sucked out all my energy. This really isn't how I imagined 2024 would look like, but by God's grace I found a job so hopefully I can afford medication soon. What medication do you recommend for decreasing these horrid thought-loops? (The worst thing about the loops is that I don't want to dwell on them or engage with them -even at work or when I'm job hunting, it just loops loops loops until I feel physical ache in my forehead and chest. Ugh. Next time someone says OCD is just a quirk about cleanliness, I might throw a nasty fit.)
@@norikokomikado The content of the thought doesn’t really matter with OCD, it will often take hold over things you value the most so this may be a scrupulosity/religious for yourself possibly? Or it can be over completely random things but sometimes with myself there may have been subtle involvement with my thoughts that kept the cycle going so it’s just about trying to be aware if you’re doing that. So we’re not pushing them away, even if we recognise a physical reaction to the thoughts not responding to it. Most importantly be kind to yourself, it can be quite hard at first all of this but does get easier with practice. The medication I was put on was Clomipramine an old drug but a very effective one for OCD, anxiety & intrusive thoughts. It made doing the work so much easier & that included letting the thoughts be there. I hope you get all the help & support you need! Much love Kirsty. 😊❤️🫶 Xx
@@stuckinthemudofficial I do have Scrupulousity, yes. I don't want to make promises to God, so my intrusive thoughts involve vowing away essential rights such as reading, writing, even using the toilet or eating normal food. It's very very emotionally taxing and I end up with chest pain and migraines at the end of the day. Sometimes I worry it's a punishment, but then I read of all these Christians so much more devout than myself who have the same issue, so now I think it's primarily a brain problem. The fact that children can have OCD as a result of strep throat confirms this theory.
@@stuckinthemudofficial Do you reckon something like Prozac would work? I'm absurdly poor so I have to pick a medicine that's more common or affordable.
You have been through hell Kirsty, ocd can be a nightmare. Our minds turn against us and torment us with thoughts
@@justmadeit2 Yeah it was not a good time for sure, OCD can really rob us of so much happiness & joy. It’s so sad because we miss out on so much when OCD is in control but we can definitely take the reins back! 😊💪 Xx
you are a powerful woman ❤
@@okays297 That’s so kind, thank you for watching! 😊❤️🫶 Xx
Im struggling again. I confided in a friend some personal stuff now I’m obsessing about telling her because really there was no reason to. Probably I was looking for reassurance which is a type of ocd in itself. Even hours later or days later I can ruminate and agonise on things. My long running insomnia is down to anxiety and an agitated mind
@@justmadeit2 Hey sorry to hear this, yeah that does sound like classic OCD reassurance seeking. The best thing you can do is let those thoughts be there with complete relaxed awareness that they are there but when you feel yourself getting pulled in to them be like ‘Ok OCD you nearly got me but not today!’ as passive as possible whatever is natural for you. Honestly it will feel so repetitive at first but the more you do it you’ll notice those intrusive thoughts & rumination getting less. Just remember as least involvement as possible so no analysing, problem solving or trying to work anything out. We’re not trying to get rid of anything, it’s hard at first but it most definitely works! I hope this helps to calm your mind & give you some better sleep! 😴🤞 Xx
@@stuckinthemudofficial I just feel very very depressed and it’s scary. I had been doing a bit better and eating ok, now I’m off my food again and sleep is poor
@@justmadeit2 I do understand having gone through a depressive episode recently myself & the lack of sleep/ food is only going to compound everything. Just know better days are coming, I know it can be hard to see when you’re in the thick of it but you will get back there. Celebrate those small wins whether that be not engaging in a compulsion like rumination, managing to eat a meal or getting out socially. 😊 Xx
Hi kirsty. I'm really struggling at the moment with my OCD. It came back literally from nowhere in April, after 10 years of being very in the background. It is also an OCD 'theme' that i havent had for over 15 years, which i thought I'd dealt with. It's really distressing me, i actually had a nervous breakdown in April/may over the thoughts, i was completely non-functioning. I am more than likely in peri-menopause, so wondering if the fluctuating hormones caused the return of this. I am on Venlafaxine (which worked for me years ago, but doesnt seem to be working as well this time) and Doctor has put me on Hrt, which i started last week. Really hoping it makes a difference as i cant live my life like this. I try and do all the erp and tools of not engaging with my thoughts, or seeking reassurance, but its so hard sometimes. Any advice? Thanks xxx
@@helenmorris8089 Hey sorry to hear you’ve been going through a tough time with this. 😞You sound very similar to me in that you’re very likely in peri menopause & after researching those fluctuating hormones can bring on OCD & anxiety. This is where I have also found myself in the last 3 years, it really took me by surprise as I’d been so well for a good while. I’ve also heard you’re more likely to suffer a relapse if you’ve experienced mental health disorders in your past during this time. Medication has definitely helped me to get back to a functioning state during these last few years & my OCD overall is stable. I also found my old medication stopped working as well for me probably down to our changing bodies so was put on Venlafaxine. Then we reintroduced a smaller dose of the old one Clomipramine which is considered the ‘gold standard’ in OCD medication, although most GP’s don’t generally prescribe it due to the fact it’s not widely used. I found this amazing for my OCD & it made the intrusive thoughts much easier to let go, however it’s an older drug so had some side effects that not everyone may tolerate like dry mouth, trembling hands which both subsided over time. I would say during this challenging time I’ve learnt a great deal about myself & my OCD. I’ve realised to come to a level of acceptance about all the intrusive thoughts I get now, this of course doesn’t mean I want them or have to like them but once we acknowledge they are there with kindness to ourselves we understand they are nothing more than a passing event in the mind. We then realise it’s just OCD trying to get its grips into us again but it doesn’t have to, I know this can be easier said than done at times especially during this transitional time in a women’s life. This is why self compassion goes a long way towards healing, I have found that out myself because none of this stuff is easy to deal with but we’re doing our very best. I sincerely hope you’re feeling a bit better & just know we’ve got this especially on those difficult days. You’re doing amazing, all the best Kirsty. 😊❤️🫶 Xx
@stuckinthemudofficial thank you for replying. It's such a tough time. I am trying so hard to accept the thoughts for what they are, just thoughts, but they distress me so much and the anxiety is so bad, heart palpitations etc. I then think, it's not going away with everything I try, is it really ocd or just who I am?! Did you ever question if it was really ocd?
I'm so glad you're doing better now. X
@@helenmorris8089 Yes I understand how hard it is & it takes some time to build up a level of tolerance to those intrusive thoughts & uncomfortable feelings/sensations within the body. The biggest lie OCD will try to convince you of is if this is all you & not OCD but I can tell you for sure this is all OCD. I always experienced this myself, we certainly wouldn’t be anxious if we enjoyed all of the intrusive thoughts. Take it in small steps & celebrate the wins when you manage to leave a thought alone or refrain from carrying out a ritual whether that be physical or mental rumination. Most importantly be kind & gentle with yourself, you will get there. Much love Kirsty! 😊🫶 Xx
Is it normal for intrusive thoughts to become a loop? My intrusive thoughts involve "accidentally" making impossible promises to God (such as promising to never read, write, etc.) and my mind keeps looping it, I catch myself audibly saying "STOP IT STOP shutupshutup" under my breath very often or shaking my head violently as if to disagree with these thoughts. Is this common? How on Earth did it get this bad? I had OCD for a while but the thoughts never started "looping" until about August 10!
@@norikokomikado Hi thanks for watching yes certainly you can get in to intrusive thought loops, I’ve been there myself many times. The more we involve ourselves with them the stronger they get as it reinforces the obsession because we’re on high alert trying to neutralise them with compulsions whether they are mental or physical ones. The best thing we can do is let the thoughts be there, so what does that mean? It means as least involvement as possible so instead of audibly or internally telling them to stop be passive & say ok I know you’re OCD trying to get me hooked in but not today! They will keep popping up but it’s about keeping that relaxed awareness of their presence without actively getting involved, it doesn’t mean we agree with the thoughts or like them but by doing this they will gradually reduce in volume & frequency. I sincerely hope this helps you, wishing you all the very best! 😊❤️ Xx
@@stuckinthemudofficial No sane person promises to never read or write, so this thought loop has REALLY sucked out all my energy. This really isn't how I imagined 2024 would look like, but by God's grace I found a job so hopefully I can afford medication soon. What medication do you recommend for decreasing these horrid thought-loops? (The worst thing about the loops is that I don't want to dwell on them or engage with them -even at work or when I'm job hunting, it just loops loops loops until I feel physical ache in my forehead and chest. Ugh. Next time someone says OCD is just a quirk about cleanliness, I might throw a nasty fit.)
@@norikokomikado The content of the thought doesn’t really matter with OCD, it will often take hold over things you value the most so this may be a scrupulosity/religious for yourself possibly? Or it can be over completely random things but sometimes with myself there may have been subtle involvement with my thoughts that kept the cycle going so it’s just about trying to be aware if you’re doing that. So we’re not pushing them away, even if we recognise a physical reaction to the thoughts not responding to it. Most importantly be kind to yourself, it can be quite hard at first all of this but does get easier with practice. The medication I was put on was Clomipramine an old drug but a very effective one for OCD, anxiety & intrusive thoughts. It made doing the work so much easier & that included letting the thoughts be there. I hope you get all the help & support you need! Much love Kirsty. 😊❤️🫶 Xx
@@stuckinthemudofficial I do have Scrupulousity, yes. I don't want to make promises to God, so my intrusive thoughts involve vowing away essential rights such as reading, writing, even using the toilet or eating normal food. It's very very emotionally taxing and I end up with chest pain and migraines at the end of the day. Sometimes I worry it's a punishment, but then I read of all these Christians so much more devout than myself who have the same issue, so now I think it's primarily a brain problem. The fact that children can have OCD as a result of strep throat confirms this theory.
@@stuckinthemudofficial Do you reckon something like Prozac would work? I'm absurdly poor so I have to pick a medicine that's more common or affordable.