Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
I did it!
I was exposed to one of my triggers (not really intentionally...intentional exposure is the next step!) and my anxiety spiked. BUT I resisted the urge to do my compulsion (which is reassurance seeking and checking- the internet/researching OCD/etc.)! I even picked up my laptop a few times wanting to research online, but I didn't.
AND my anxiety calmed down, just like the research says it will :) It's not completely gone, but it went from like a 75 to about a 30 on a scale of 1-100!
YAY!
I was exposed to one of my triggers (not really intentionally...intentional exposure is the next step!) and my anxiety spiked. BUT I resisted the urge to do my compulsion (which is reassurance seeking and checking- the internet/researching OCD/etc.)! I even picked up my laptop a few times wanting to research online, but I didn't.
AND my anxiety calmed down, just like the research says it will :) It's not completely gone, but it went from like a 75 to about a 30 on a scale of 1-100!
YAY!
So whenever I feel anxiety and then start obsessing (and then in turn causing my anxiety to spike even more because I start freaking out about my obsession) I can know that my obsession is not real....it gives me a new perspective to know that my anxiety is just anxiety and my obsession is just an obsession, nothing more. It doesn't mean anything except I have an over-active flight-or-flight response and an imbalance of chemicals in my brain :)