High school was an absolute nightmare for me too. Honestly, because I didn't have a name for what was happening, I felt so much shame that I couldn't even tell anyone. I genuinely thought there was something fundamentally broken inside my head... The OCD was the biggest hurdle—I just couldn't focus on studying or anything else. And my parents? They didn't get it at all. Instead of helping, they actually made things worse by pressuring me about it, which just created this endless, exhausting loop. From what I can tell, it’s mostly driven by stress, and when you're that young, you don't exactly have the coping mechanisms to handle life's heavy hitters, right? Then the "grown-ups" try to convince you that you're fine, which just makes the spiral even deeper... ugh, sorry, I'm rambling and getting all worked up now...🤣 At least your parents are actually stepping up and trying to support you. When I finally found the courage to come clean after what felt like a century, they just accused me of being a drama queen looking for attention. It was a massive letdown, honestly.🙂🙂I'm on Zoloft too. My doctor has started tapering me down recently, and I'm low-key terrified of how that transition is going to go. We'll see how it plays out... To be honest, I don't know where I'd be without the Zoloft. Looking back, I feel so stupid for being so against medication initially; I really wish I had started sooner. But hey, it is what it is... Hang in there. Sending love👍
Hannah Bishop said:Hey ladies! I’ve got an urgent question here. So, basically, my period started last week, right around January 15th, and lasted until the 21st. The thing is, I was supposed to start back up on my Diane pills on the 17th—which would have been the eighth day of my break—but I totally missed it. Fast forward to today, I go to the bathroom and realize I’m bleeding again on my daily pad. It’s only been a week since the last one ended, and now it's back. I actually went in for an ultrasound on the 23rd and everything looked perfectly fine, so I’m genuinely stumped. Why on earth am I bleeding again just seven days after finishing?
That’s completely normal since you didn't get back on your pills on schedule. Don't sweat it, you're fine...👍
Sophia Young3 said:Has anyone here dealt with suddenly quitting birth control? I’m asking because I stopped taking my pills after the fourth one, and it triggered a period right away. Then, about two weeks later, I started dealing with this brown discharge and my nipples were so sore I thought my period was coming back, but it never did. The discharge eventually cleared up and the soreness went away, but now I’m just sitting here wondering what's going on since my actual period isn't due until next week.
Look, if you’re going to start something, you might as well see it through to the end. You shouldn't have even taken that first sip if you weren't prepared to finish the whole damn drink. Look, what you had was just a fluke because you completely threw your body out of whack. Honestly, if I were you, I wouldn't expect to see anything regular again for at least another month—though, who knows, I don't know what your cycle is actually like. Look, just speaking from my own experience here—and I’m fully aware I might be dead wrong on this one—but that's just how it played out for me.
David Nelson74 said:I wouldn't risk it if I were you. Honestly, where did you read that? It’s probably safer to just skip the alcohol while you're on Zoloft.🙂
I don't drink, period. I mean, I've had a drink maybe once in my entire life... but thanks for looking out for me, haha. My doctor told me the same thing, but it doesn't really matter since I don't touch the stuff anyway. I can find plenty of ways to have a good time without needing a cocktail. 👍
[QUOTE=Ethan Howard12;18584809]Look, I’ll say it to everyone here just like I told my partner: OCD is tucked away inside pretty much all of us; the only real difference is how we deal with it. He was diagnosed about four years ago, and he’s been on his meds consistently ever since. What really gets to me is this whole idea of taking medication every single day—he seems perfectly fine with it as long as it keeps him level. Honestly, I haven't even noticed any typical OCD symptoms from him (we started dating after he was already on his regimen), and he isn't even remotely "unstable" compared to my exes 🤣—in fact, he’s the best one yet.😍 The only thing is, I have to answer the same questions about a hundred times sometimes, and he admits he gets hit with bouts of anxiety now and then (but hey, who doesn't?). So yeah, that's my life. Just living with it and living with him...[/QUOTE ]
I actually deal with OCD myself, but nobody has ever clocked it because I am a damn good actor (seriously, I could go Hollywood, haha). But deep down? It was brutal. I was suffering so much. I wasn't being my true self; I was just constantly performing, pretending everything was fine when absolutely nothing felt okay. I've been on antidepressants for years now, and as far as I know, you don't get addicted to them—at least, that's what my doctor told me. Maybe it varies from pill to pill, but I take Zoloft, and I can even have a drink every once in a while without issues. Cheers.
After that latest report came out, I decided to head back in for another session, and honestly, this time was actually an improvement. He finally used "sir" or "ma'am" instead of being overly casual, and he actually seemed to focus on me for once, rather than his phone ringing incessantly every five minutes. I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised; I tend to harbor this unrealistic expectation of finding the perfect psychiatrist—some sort of flawless blend of profound wisdom, genuine warmth, deep empathy, and clinical brilliance. For now, though, I’m sticking with him. The sheer exhaustion of hunting for someone new is becoming quite taxing, both in terms of my schedule and my bank account, since you essentially have to start from square one with every new provider. Who knows? Maybe he’ll eventually prove to be exactly what I need. I would love it if you could ask your doctor who they might recommend, or perhaps get their professional take on my current guy, Zdenko Katavić. Just keep it brief when you ask Gab, though; there's no sense in wasting anyone's precious time.
Much appreciated, and all the best!😉 😍🥳
Hey... no worries at all. I'm really glad things went smoother for you this time around. I've got an appointment on February 6th, so I'll shoot you a DM after that and let you know how it goes... catch ya later.👍
Here is my brief report following my first visit to the psychiatrist this past Monday. I have to admit, he didn't exactly meet my expectations, and the more I dwell on certain "moments" from our encounter, the more irritated I find myself becoming. The first thing that rubbed me the wrong way was that he immediately began addressing me with "you" in such an informal manner without even asking permission, which I found rather unprofessional. My irritation regarding this hit me with a bit of a delay—which is quite typical of me, as I rarely know how to stand up for myself in the moment and instead tend to stew on things later—but that’s beside the point. Then, his cell phone started ringing, followed by the landline and the intercom, at which point he actually stood up to go answer them. It also grated on me that he spent twenty minutes lecturing me on what OCD is and how the whole mechanism works, as if I were completely ignorant of the subject. I tried to indirectly signal that he could wrap up the lecture by saying, "I know, I've read quite a bit about this," but his response was simply, "Oh, you've read about it, but..." Naturally, he wrote my prescriptions immediately. All in all, he left me with the impression of being a very cold individual. Given that I received a recommendation calling him an "outstanding expert," and since I've only seen him once, I suppose I'll give him one more shot. That said, I would love it if someone could recommend a decent psychiatrist in Los Angeles if they happen to know of one. Otherwise, this current one is Zdenko Katavić.
Anyway, let me know what you think!! Ciao!
Hey... I'm seeing mine in a week, so I'll ask him if he knows anyone in Los Angeles and let you know... As for your experience, I can't speak for mine. My doctor has never been like that with me; sure, we have some talks where I end up a bit disappointed, but overall he's fine... plus, he's super respectful and uses formal language with me, haha.🤷🤣
Morgan Miller4 said:I’m not sure if this qualifies as an obsessive disorder, but maybe someone can weigh in.. I can’t allow food on my plate to touch. Nothing is allowed to make contact. The mashed potatoes can’t touch the steak; the fries can’t touch the ketchup; one cookie can’t touch another. It applies to absolutely everything. If food does touch, I either won't eat it at all, or I have to cut away both sides of the "contaminated" area before I can continue eating.. I’m not trying to be self-important, and I realize we live in a world where there are more hungry people than fed ones, but this isn't something I can control. It feels like a separate compartment in my brain—one that ignores logic and disregards any sense of morality.
🙈
If you ask me, sounds like straight-up OCD to me...🤷🤷
Mark Perez2 said:I totally get you. I always know exactly where I left everything. And anything that isn't symmetrical drives me crazy. Even with echoes. It fluctuates, though—some days are better than others. Sometimes even a single loose thread on a shirt will set me off. The other day I didn't even buy a dress because one sleeve felt slightly tighter than the other. Honestly, there's usually something about most clothes that bugs me. I just can't accept the fact that the world isn't perfect. It used to be that I'd read the newspaper every single day following a very specific "template"—reading every headline in order, stuff like that. Then I stopped, but then I'd get bored, so I'd start reading something else, and eventually, I'd fall right back into those same patterns. What else? I never just sit on the couch at home. I wash my hands way too much. I have this obsessive urge to wash my hands immediately after picking something up off the floor, or right after eating. And it's gotten worse over the years. I've never seen a psychiatrist, and the only thing I tried was some mild over-the-counter herbal supplement, but it didn't do anything.
Hey, I tried those herbal supplements too, but they didn't do anything for me either...🤷🙂
wearycobra36 said:The session runs for about 45 minutes and goes for $83. Honestly, that’s the best deal I could track down; most places are charging closer to $100 per 45-minute slot. I’ll be able to get back to you on those other questions tomorrow or the day after, once I have a better sense of how things are shaking out.
PS: apologies for being so slow to get back to you.
Hey, I just remembered you have that appointment with the psychiatrist today... honestly, I'm curious to hear how it went... I mean, only if you feel like sharing with us. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Best regards...
Walter Cox46 said:Greetings, everyone. I have a question regarding OCD and Normabel. I was reading on the Normabel website that individuals struggling with obsessions should avoid taking it. This leaves me wondering—does that include those diagnosed with OCD? If I have OCD, am I prohibited from using Normabel? My intention in taking Normabel would be to help manage anxiety. Thank you in advance.
Hey there. Just my two cents, but I took Normabel while I was pregnant and honestly, it didn't do squat for me. Even after I had the baby, I tried taking three a day and still felt nothing. It wasn't until I actually started on antidepressants that things finally started looking up... so personally, I wouldn't recommend Normabel to anyone.🙂
Frank Jackson5 said:I pick at it with my fingers. Sometimes I'd go deeper. But thank God, that's behind me now. It’s just this sudden urge, this compulsion to pick, and I can't stop myself. Only after I give in does the impulse fade. But then the guilt kicks in about having done it, which creates more anxiety, which brings the impulse back. It’s just a cycle. It started when I was 12. Back then, I was diagnosed with anxiety and social phobia. Basically, I was using the picking to soothe all that anxiety I felt all these years. It started when I was just an innocent kid who didn't understand what was happening to me. I just knew I couldn't stop. Things have been much better these last few months, though. Maybe the antidepressants helped lower my anxiety, so the urge isn't there as much. Since the unhealthy, unnecessary anxiety is gone, the picking is gone too. I don't even have panic attacks anymore. Honestly, if I have to take this medication for the rest of my life, I don't mind. As long as I feel better.
I am so glad you're feeling better... I totally get where you're coming from. I actually said the exact same thing—that I’d happily take pills for the rest of my life if it meant I didn't have to go back to living such a low-quality existence. I started dealing with stuff like this during childhood too, but since I didn't realize what was actually happening, I just ignored it. It would come and go, but once I grew up and realized how heavy life actually is, things got even worse. I only experienced a full-blown panic attack once, and man, it was terrifying. Even back in my teens, I went to see a doctor, but they didn't really take it seriously and told me it was nothing. Looking back, maybe if I had actually started treatment then, I wouldn't be in this position now. But hey, I guess that's just how it goes. Take care...👍
Melissa Reyes76 said:I used to deal with that disorder—it was honestly exhausting—but once I hit a certain age, I realized how incredibly stupid it all was. So, I just said, "Enough, I'm done," and it actually worked; I don't feel the need for it anymore, and looking back, I guess it really wasn't normal at all.
Frank Jackson5 said:I know none of these OCD struggles are easy, but honestly, sometimes I’d give anything to be in your shoes. I've been dealing with trichotillomania—a type of OCD where I pull out my eyelashes and eyebrows—for 15 years now. To be fair, things have improved a bit since I started taking antidepressants... though I should probably clarify that things are actually much better. Still, there are these sudden waves of anxiety where I start pulling again. It's hard. It isn't always that overwhelming urge you just can't fight off, but it happens.
Reading through your posts, I see so many great insights here. Really well said, ladies!
Sending good vibes your way too... even though I'm doing better now, thank God, I know people tend to find this stuff ridiculous. But only those of us actually living through it understand how heavy it really feels. My husband has told me a hundred times, "Just stop doing it," but it doesn't work like that... you know what I mean, right?🤷How would you describe the sensation? Are you pulling with your fingers or ?? all the way down? Sending lots of love.....🙂
wearycobra36 said:It seems you’ve reached a point where you’re comfortable embracing your OCD, and if you feel there's no pressing need to seek professional help right now, that is perfectly valid. However, I can't help but circle back to that comment you made about how these seemingly minor compulsions end up having such a disproportionate impact on the bigger picture of your life. I honestly think there’s a deeper truth to how OCD functions—that it’s intrinsically tied to much larger, more systemic issues within us. To my mind, those repetitive compulsions aren't the actual problem; they’re just little warning lights on a dashboard, signaling that something else under the hood is malfunctioning. In my own experience, I didn't actually decide to seek professional help because of the rituals themselves. It was the underlying weight of everything else that finally pushed me toward it—the emotional toll that was making life feel increasingly hollow. I’m talking about that pervasive sense of hopelessness, a constant feeling of worthlessness, plummeting self-esteem, and these erratic swings in mood and perspective that make everything feel unstable. It's hard to find any semblance of peace when you're constantly battling a deep-seated anxiety and a sort of heavy, paralyzing inertia. Even though my brain is perpetually running at full speed—it truly never seems to shut off—my body often feels like it's lagging behind. It takes me an eternity just to get moving, which inevitably leads to me procrastinating on responsibilities for far too long. While I generally manage to stay on top of things at work—albeit at a somewhat sluggish pace—this struggle mostly bleeds into my personal life, where the friction is most intense. I’ve been wrestling with OCD and its various accompanying anxieties for about a decade now, always nursing this naive little hope that things would simply resolve themselves once I hit my twenties and finally attained some semblance of maturity. While there have certainly been brighter stretches, the moment life throws a bit of genuine tension my way, everything reverts to its baseline. Now that I’m approaching my late twenties, I have to admit that nothing has fundamentally shifted. Sure, I’ve grown up, I’ve devoured enough psychology books to fill a small library, and I’ve become much more self-aware—which helps me navigate the symptoms—but the core of the issue remains stubbornly intact. To be honest, I’m just exhausted by the whole ordeal. It feels as though I am perpetually under the thumb of some invisible master, someone over whom I have absolutely no leverage. That is precisely why I am seeking help. This time around, I am actually open to the idea of medication, despite my previous, rather intense opposition to it, especially after reading some of the positive accounts shared by others here.
I really hope things are going more smoothly on your end and that you aren't being plagued by those extra little "attachments" alongside the main tasks, but if they do show up, please do consider tackling them head-on right away. I certainly wouldn't recommend wasting as much time on them as I did; it’s a bit of a trap, and I'd rather you just deal with the headache immediately instead of letting it drag on. Sending my best to everyone!🎉
Hey, it’s like you’re reading my mind... I’m going through the exact same thing. You mentioned being against meds before, and honestly, same. I thought taking pills meant I wasn't "normal." But looking back, I am so incredibly glad I went through with it because it truly changed things for me. It wasn't an overnight fix, though—it took about nine months of consistent Zoloft before I felt a real shift. For the first few months, I’d feel a little better, then slip back, then improve again for a couple of months, and so on. But now, I've been doing well for quite a while. Cheers.👍
Rachel Brown said:Look, I wasn't exactly itching to slog through thirty pages of reading either, but I figured I’d use this as an excuse to brag (!) about my OCD. Honestly, most of it is just trivial nonsense, but it adds up and impacts the big picture. Everything has to be in its exact, rightful place. If there are items on my desk, they have to be perfectly symmetrical. I find myself double-checking if I locked the front door over and over again, even when I know for a fact that I did. It's constant, pointless checking. And don't even get me started on those black and white tiles in the middle of downtown—I can't walk past them without making sure I step on the colors an equal number of times with both feet. Or if I accidentally touch something with one hand, I feel compelled to touch it with the other. My CDs have to be alphabetized, period. That's just what popped into my head, but if I actually sat down to list them all, there would be a million more. What am I supposed to say at the end of this? Nothing. I'm not looking for help. I don't feel like I need it. This is just who I am, and it has been since forever. This is ME. I actually love being obsessive over these little things because these quirks belong to me and nobody else. 🙂
Seriously, I’ve been hanging around here for days now and it feels like a ghost town—not a single soul in sight. Honestly, thank God everyone finally made a recovery though, haha! 👍
Keith Hayes said:Well, it’s officially over, and honestly, I’m just sitting here staring at the wall wondering what on earth I’m supposed to do next. I feel like there's such a massive, empty void where his entire presence used to be...
Look, whatever anyone types to you right now isn't going to magically fix things... so you just have to grit your teeth and take it head-on. Just take it one day at a time. Eventually, you'll wake up and realize the weight isn't crushing you like this anymore, and that intense ache isn't as sharp. Trust me on this—I'm speaking from pure experience. It sucks. It's brutal. There was a point where my soul literally felt bruised. I spent days on end just crying my eyes out. But then, one day, I finally found the strength to get back out there, start living again, and eventually fell for the right guy—who happens to be my husband today. Hang in there. Just keep pushing forward.👍