Thank you so much for sharing this post. I'm definitely going to send it to my friend. It's like you're describing exactly what they're going through. My friend's been dealing with OCD since we were kids, and it's been tough to watch. They do the same thing with checking things and washing hands. It's heartbreaking to see how much it affects their life. They're always late, and I can see how stressed out they get when we're in public. Sometimes I don't know what to say or how to help. It's frustrating because I want to fix it for them, but I know I can't. I feel helpless a lot of the time. It's good to know there are other people out there going through the same thing. Makes me feel less alone in trying to support my friend. I hope you find some relief soon. This OCD stuff is no joke. It's exhausting just watching it, so I can't imagine living with it. Hang in there, okay? You're not alone
@fearlesswill hi will, thank you for your heartfelt message. i completely understand what your friend is going through because i've struggled with ocd myself and still do at times. having the support of friends like you made a huge difference in my journey. it's incredible how much just knowing someone cares and understands can help. don't underestimate the power of your support, even if it feels like you can't do much. it means the world to your friend, i'm sure of it. hang in there, both of you, and thank you again for being such a supportive friend.
@fearlesswill it's wonderful that you're so eager to help your friend, will. one of the most important things you can do is to be there for them without judgment. people with ocd often feel isolated and misunderstood, so knowing they have someone who listens and cares can be incredibly comforting. it’s important to acknowledge their struggles without minimizing them or making them feel ashamed. sometimes it’s helpful to gently encourage them to seek professional help, if they aren’t already. therapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt) and exposure and response prevention (erp), can be very effective. maybe you could offer to help them find a therapist or even accompany them to appointments if they’re comfortable with that. it's also important to educate yourself about ocd so you can better understand what they’re going through. knowledge is power, and it can make a huge difference in how you offer support
@fearlesswill my friends did a lot for me, even if they didn’t realize it at the time. the most impactful thing they did was simply being there, offering a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on. they never made me feel like a burden, and that’s something i’ll always be grateful for. when i was having a particularly hard day, one friend would check in on me, just to let me know they were there if i needed to talk. sometimes, they’d distract me with a fun activity or a movie night, which helped me get out of my head for a little while. they also respected my space when i needed it, understanding that some days were just harder than others. if your friend is open to it, maybe you could establish a signal or code word they can use to let you know when they’re feeling overwhelmed. that way, they can reach out without having to explain everything in detail, which can be exhausting
@wendy love 🫶 Thank you so much for your kind words. It really means a lot to hear from someone who has been through this themselves. I've been trying to find ways to be more supportive to my friend, but sometimes I feel like I'm lost. I don't want to say or do anything that might accidentally make things worse. I really care about them, and I can see how much they're struggling. It's heartbreaking to see them caught in these rituals, knowing they don't want to be doing them. Sometimes I feel like I'm just an observer in their life, watching them go through the motions. I wish I could just snap my fingers and make all their worries disappear. Do you have any advice on how I can be more helpful or supportive? I just want to be there for them and help them through this, but I often feel so lost on what to do
@wendy love 🫶 Thank yo for these insights. I think you're right about encouraging them to seek professional help. They have mentioned feeling overwhelmed by the idea of therapy before, so I've tried to be supportive without pushing them too hard. The idea of going with them to an appointment is something I hadn't thought of, but it could help ease their anxiety. I'll bring it up with them and see how they feel about it. I've read a bit about OCD, but I think I need to do more research to truly understand the condition. Sometimes it feels like the rituals are just the tip of the iceberg, and there’s so much more going on beneath the surface. I just want to make sure I'm not adding to their stress. How did your friends support you when you were going through similar struggles?
Remember, your worth isn't tied to these rituals. You are so much more than your OCD. You're a person with dreams, with love to give, with a unique perspective on the world. Your OCD doesn't define you - it's just a part of your story, not the whole book. I know it feels impossible right now, but please don't give up hope. Every day you wake up and face these challenges is a victory. Every time you recognize that these thoughts aren't logical, you're making progress. You're stronger than you actually think you are!!
hey there, i totally get what you're going through. it's like being trapped in your own mind, right? 😔 i remember when my ocd was at its worst, i couldn't even leave my room without going through this whole elaborate routine. it was exhausting. but listen, there's hope. what really helped me was learning about exposure and response prevention (ERP). it's tough, not gonna lie, but it's like training your brain to resist those compulsions. start small - maybe try delaying your rituals by just a minute. then two minutes. then five. it's scary at first, but it gets easier. oh, and mindfulness meditation? game changer for me. it helped me observe my thoughts without getting caught up in them. remember, ocd lies to you. it makes you think something bad will happen if you don't do the rituals, but that's not true. you're stronger than your ocd, even if it doesn't feel like it right now
Oh, my dear friend. It's as if you're carrying the world on your shoulders, isn't it? But please, remember this - you are not alone in this battle. Your pain, your fears, your struggles - they're all valid. It's okay to feel overwhelmed. It's okay to be scared. It's okay to not be okay. I want you to close your eyes for a moment and take a deep breath. Feel the air filling your lungs. Now, as you exhale, imagine releasing a tiny bit of that burden you're carrying. You're doing the best you can with the tools you have right now, and that's something to be proud of.
Understanding the mechanics of OCD can demystify it. Read reputable sources on the neurobiology of OCD. When an obsessive thought arises, practice questioning its validity. Is there actual evidence supporting this fear? Incrementally face your fears without performing the compulsion. Start with less anxiety-provoking situations and gradually work your way up. Hope this helps! Good luck! ❤️
@Sierra That’s spot on, understanding the mechanics of how our brains work can give us a bit of power over it. When you think about the door or washing your hands, maybe you could try a different approach. Instead of focusing on the ritual itself, consider the outcome you're worried about and challenge it with logic. For instance, ask yourself what actual evidence you have that something bad will happen if you don't perform the ritual. It might not be easy, but questioning those thoughts could be a start
You have to learn to observe your thoughts without judgmen. This can create a buffer between the thought and the compulsive action. Regular exercise, sleep, and a balanced diet can significantly impact your mental state. Confide in trusted friends or family. Their understanding can be invaluable. While you mentioned not wanting to discuss therapy, consulting with an OCD specialist can provide tailored strategies. Pls seek professional help, you deserve it!
Hi there! I can't imagine how tough this must be for you. But can I ask, what do you do to relax or unwind, if anything? Sometimes, finding a new focus can help shift your mind away from the rituals. Maybe there's a hobby or interest that can capture your attention and provide some relief. Are there any activities that make you feel calm or at ease? Engaging in something creative or physically active could provide a different kind of ritual, one that brings you joy instead of stress. It might take time, but discovering something that makes you feel good could be a valuable distraction.
i know it might not feel like it, but admitting that something's not right is a huge step. 💪 have you ever just screamed into a pillow or thrown paint at a canvas? letting out all those pent-up emotions in a loud or messy way can be so freeing. it might not solve the problem, but it can give you a moment of release. you deserve to vent without judgment, whether it's through art, music, or just yelling into the void. don't be too hard on yourself, okay?
It's really tough what you're going through, but one thing you might try is a bit of self-experimentation. For instance, you could set a timer to delay the ritual by a minute each day and see how that makes you feel. It might sound strange, but sometimes just altering the routine slightly can have an impact on how you perceive it. What do you think about that as an idea? Over time, you might find that your reliance on these rituals decreases. It could be worth trying to observe any changes in your feelings when you adjust the timing. Just remember to be gentle with yourself through this process.
hello there, friend! 🌱 while i can't say i've walked in your shoes, i've found that gardening has been my sanctuary during tough times. there's something incredibly grounding (pun intended!) about getting your hands in the soil. maybe you could start small with a little indoor plant? caring for something living can be so therapeutic. plus, it gives you a positive ritual to focus on instead of the ones that are troubling you. watching a seed sprout and grow can be a beautiful metaphor for your own journey of healing. if you're worried about germs, you could start with a terrarium - they're like little self-contained ecosystems! or how about some air plants? they don't even need soil! gardening has taught me so much about patience and nurturing. plants don't grow overnight, and healing doesn't happen instantly either. but with consistent care and attention, beautiful things can bloom
Hi,
You should go for therapy as cognitive behavioural therapy will help you in learning coping mechanisms and ways to deal with the anxiety.
You can also try these strategies at home:
But majorly only therapy can help you in the longer run.