Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Ocd

Asuncion86
Asuncion86

My ocd is acting up pretty bad. I'm focusing on my breathing and how I'm not breathing deep enough. Yesterday I went indoor cycling but I kept thinking about how I need to have proper breathing technique while riding. The thoughts made it difficult to ride and so I didn't finish my workout. I have ocd about exercises at the gym and think that they must be done with the right technique. The obsession gets in the way of me exercising. My counselor is going to look for a researcher in ocd and anxiety, a specialist, for me to see. I think I need it because these thoughts are controlling me. In the midst of it I still have to work and deal with the stress that that brings. I'm just venting. I know everyone is struggling. God give me the strength to get through this day.

arfie
arfie
Personally, I've had far greater success with channeling my OCD than I have in fighting it. Breathing exercises were my therapy breakthrough on that evolution. Experimenting with questions such as, "Am I breathing deep enough?" and tweaking the rhythms of my breathing to match my various activities gave/gives my OCD ticks plenty to focus on. These days I believe the obsession enhances far more than it takes away. Awareness of every breath feels like a good thing. Every breath counts.

But that is me and every case is unique.

Continued support while you find the balance which works for you, Asuncion.
ldavis08
ldavis08
Take it one day at a time. Please try not to focus so hard on the issue. Although, I know its hard, the thoughts make it hard to channel your way out. Its a battle, but try to focus on something else. Eventually, your concentration will break and you will have a sense of calmness and normalcy. Trust me, this cycle will pass, you must find what works for you. Before you know it, things will be back to normal. You are not alone!
Asuncion86
Asuncion86
Thanks.
mtd
mtd
As Arfie said, fighting the OCD only reinforces it. Accepting and surrendering to it is the way to go. I know it doesn’t sound logical, but it works that way.
rmb
rmb
I mentioned in another one of your posts a meditation technique called “Body Scan Meditation.” In my case practicing this helped me manage my hyper focus and hyper vigilance when it came to my breathing. I had a heart and lungs injury that ultimately prompted me to over think my breathing during my recovery, to the point of obsession. May or may not help you but thought I’d mention it.

I agree on surrendering. It’s like releasing air from a balloon. The pressure dissipates.
Asuncion86
Asuncion86
I’ll try the body scan meditation again.
rmb
rmb
It’s not an instant fix. Meditation is something you keep practicing.
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