OCD: General Discussion Thread

Amanda Morris3 said:Maybe you’ve just watched a few too many horror movies lately, haha!🙂

I certainly hope so... 🙂

Roger Morgan4 said:I certainly hope so... 🙂

You aren't wrong... unfortunately.

My UPS symptoms have definitely chilled out since I got into a relationship (though they tend to creep back whenever we hit a rough patch)
I’ve got this thing where I have to break sentences down into chunks—say, three parts—based on syllables. The last syllable has to land perfectly at the far right edge of my mouth (if you're counting by your teeth) or right on my third finger. If it doesn't line up, I have to start over. And if I mess up and the first part lands too far left (like on my index finger), I end up having to repeat the whole damn sentence multiple times.
Here’s how I split them up: [1]I- [2]am- [3]eat-
[1]ing- [2]ice- [3]cream
[1]ice- [2]cream- [3]yum

(Finishing a sentence on time feels great. It’s the worst when a long sentence ends on "one" and I’m forced to repeat the entire thing two more times.)

I also can't stand things being off-center. I have to line up every object by size and color. If there's even a little clutter around me, I feel totally unbalanced.
I don't obsess over germs enough to wash my hands constantly, but sometimes I feel like I'll trigger a migraine if I touch my forehead. Also, I have to start any new task exactly on the hour.

That’s my deal. Honestly, I don't even know how much of this is actually UPS because I’ve never bothered seeking professional help (even though it’s driven me crazy plenty of times). I just figured this was it after reading about similar cases online.
What do you guys think?

Hey, can someone please reach out if you’re dealing with the same thing I am? I honestly feel like I’m losing my grip on reality... For four years now, I’ve been fighting these intrusive thoughts that are seriously wrecking my daily life. They are absolutely horrific, and frankly, I’m too ashamed to even type out what they’re actually about. 😛I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist and taking medication for about ten months now, but I haven't seen much of an improvement. If anything, the meds just take the edge off so I can handle them slightly better, but otherwise, I’m just sitting here crying and wondering why this is happening to me. I’m a mom now, and I just want to live a decent, quality life. I’m 25, naturally pretty insecure, and pretty shy... how do I help myself? Please, if anyone is going through this exact same hell, let me know...

Are you dealing with any other symptoms besides the intrusive thoughts, and when did this all start happening?

I’ve got the tics, sure, but I can hide those pretty easily. It’s these thoughts that are actually tearing me up inside. They’re dark, man... really ugly. This whole thing started hitting me about four years ago. But look, I have to be straight with you—this all stems from being harassed at work by my boss. He was psychologically abusive, pushing for sexual favors and stuff like that. It’s been heavy.

Olivia Rivera77 said:Hey, can someone please reach out if you’re dealing with the same thing I am? I honestly feel like I’m losing my grip on reality... For four years now, I’ve been fighting these intrusive thoughts that are seriously wrecking my daily life. They are absolutely horrific, and frankly, I’m too ashamed to even type out what they’re actually about. 😛I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist and taking medication for about ten months now, but I haven't seen much of an improvement. If anything, the meds just take the edge off so I can handle them slightly better, but otherwise, I’m just sitting here crying and wondering why this is happening to me. I’m a mom now, and I just want to live a decent, quality life. I’m 25, naturally pretty insecure, and pretty shy... how do I help myself? Please, if anyone is going through this exact same hell, let me know...

There is absolutely no reason to feel ashamed of intrusive thoughts; anyone living with OCD knows exactly how heavy that burden feels. Whether they are violent, blasphemous, sexual, or otherwise disturbing, please remember: these thoughts aren't a reflection of who you really are. They don't define your character, and having them doesn't mean you'll ever act on them.
Stay strong and don't lose hope. 😘

These thoughts are violent, and honestly, my biggest fear is that I might actually hurt someone. It’s terrifying because there are moments when a thought flashes through my mind like, "I wish they would just die..." or something equally dark. I don't actually feel that way—not even close. In fact, I try to be there for people and help out whenever I possibly can. It’s just that constant, nagging dread that things might spiral out of control. I’m always spiraling into this "what if" loop: what if I lose my grip on reality? I just want to be there for my kid. Thanks for having my back...

I deal with this specific type of OCD too. My obsessions are mostly aggressive—completely contrary to who I actually am. It all started after I had my first son; I was under so much stress and terrified something would happen to him. I’d get these intrusive images—not thoughts that I *wanted* to do something, but then it spiraled into this fear that maybe I was actually capable of it. It was awful. Eventually, it shifted into a fear that I might hurt other people, too. I know for those who don't have this specific subtype, it sounds terrifying or just makes no sense—but I think obsessions always target what we fear most. For some, it's germs or contamination; for me, it's the idea of hurting someone or being someone who might do it without knowing. Research shows that over 85% of people experience intrusive thoughts that are aggressive or sexually inappropriate—the difference for us with OCD is that the discomfort doesn't come from the thought itself, but from the inability to feel certain that we won't act on it. Just like how someone might wash their hands ten times because they can't reach that feeling of "clean," people with aggressive obsessions loop back to the same thought because they are desperate for that sense of security—that certainty that they won't commit the act. That's why some people call OCD the "doubting illness." Regarding your fear of losing your mind—please don't be afraid. No one goes crazy from this; it's just fear. I felt the exact same way—I was terrified I wouldn't be able to care for my kids, but that never happened. And even if things get hard, so what? How many people end up in the hospital, or how many famous people struggle with mental health issues? It happens, and it's okay. The best way to handle these thoughts is to accept them as just part of normal thinking, rather than treating them like something forbidden! If your current medication isn't working, you might want to talk to your doctor about trying a different SSRI—like Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, Celexa, or Zoloft. They often require higher doses for OCD—for instance, taking 60-80mg of Prozac instead of the 20mg typically prescribed for depression. Sometimes an antipsychotic like Seroquel is added to help quiet the obsessive thoughts.

Honestly, things just went downhill for me after I had my baby. I was haunted by those horrific mental images, but thank God, that part eventually passed. What’s left are these intrusive thoughts and this crushing fear that I might actually hurt someone. Every single time something bad happens to someone close to me, I spiral into wondering if it was somehow my fault... it’s slowly eating me alive. And I can't help but wonder if I’ll ever actually feel okay again. Like you said, all these dark thoughts are the complete opposite of who I really am; I don't want to sound dramatic, but I know deep down I'm a good person. It's just these damn thoughts. I kept it bottled up for so long because of the sheer shame of it all, but once it became impossible to hide, I had to come clean. My family and my husband have been supportive, but even then, I still get the feeling they think I'm just being oversensitive... but I'm telling you, this is killing me. Am I just weak? I don't even have an explanation for any of this. I'm currently on Zoloft 150 mg and Depakote 300...

Hey everyone. I’ve been dealing with OCD for years now—you know the drill, constantly double-checking if the stove is off, the iron is unplugged, my phone is charged, or if I turned the faucet off... all that stuff. It always hits me hardest at night right before I try to sleep, and the grand finale is checking my alarm about a hundred times just to make sure it's set (even though the red light is literally glowing right in front of my face telling me it's fine!). I’ve spent way too much time researching this, and honestly? I don't think there's some magic pill that just switches it off. From what I can tell, you have to consciously stop yourself from doing those repetitive loops and just grit your teeth through the massive wave of anxiety that follows. You have to face the music. That's what therapists usually suggest, anyway (though personally, I've never actually sat on one of their couches). Last year, I had a few panic attacks—only ever happened while I was driving—and man, it was terrifying. I was actually scared to get behind the wheel, which sucks because I love driving and I've never even been in a wreck. Eventually, I realized how totally irrational it was, so I just decided to ignore the fear and kept driving like normal. I figured, "whatever, let it happen," and honestly? It worked. I haven't had a single attack since. I really believe the key is recognizing it's a disorder. You have to realize it's irrational, fight the urge to perform those compulsions, and accept that the anxiety will spike, but eventually, it'll fade. For me, staying away from meds and doctors is working, and I think I'm finally getting there. Sending good vibes to everyone else out there trying to kick this habit—I know firsthand how absolutely draining and exhausting it is.

Alright, look. I can figure out how to stop those compulsive physical urges, but how am I supposed to shut down these intrusive thoughts😢?

I went to see a psychotherapist a few times. This woman told me straight up that she’d never dealt with a case like mine before and was basically speechless... lol... hahaha... So now I've quit. I don't even bother paying attention to my own thoughts anymore. It's tough, but whatever. It's all just in my head. Total nonsense.

Wait, what even is a psychotherapist...? I’ve been seeing my psychiatrist lately, and honestly, I’m really happy with how things are going. I’ve tried working with a psychologist before too, but at the end of the day, my doctor is the one giving me actual hope—telling me that everything can get back to normal and that those dark thoughts don't have to be part of my life forever.

I stumbled upon her profile by accident... she claims to have years of experience and all that nonsense. Honestly, I’m just worried about my own future. It feels like nobody's going to want to hire me anymore.

Olivia Rivera77 said:Wait, what even is a psychotherapist...? I’ve been seeing my psychiatrist lately, and honestly, I’m really happy with how things are going. I’ve tried working with a psychologist before too, but at the end of the day, my doctor is the one giving me actual hope—telling me that everything can get back to normal and that those dark thoughts don't have to be part of my life forever.

Olivia, I really hope you decide to drop by this forum again to answer me.

I’m also struggling with MTA, and I’ve finally decided to commit to psychotherapy, but the catch is that I have absolutely no leads on a decent psychiatrist or therapist; I’m really looking for someone high-quality.

Ideally, I need a psychotherapist or psychiatrist in the San Francisco area. If you happen to be local to that part of California, please, if you could recommend yours, I’d be so grateful. Even if you aren't from the Bay Area, maybe you could ask your own doctor if they know a reliable colleague in San Francisco who specializes in this specific issue.

Thanks in advance.

wearycobra36 said:Olivia, I really hope you decide to drop by this forum again to answer me.

I’m also struggling with MTA, and I’ve finally decided to commit to psychotherapy, but the catch is that I have absolutely no leads on a decent psychiatrist or therapist; I’m really looking for someone high-quality.

Ideally, I need a psychotherapist or psychiatrist in the San Francisco area. If you happen to be local to that part of California, please, if you could recommend yours, I’d be so grateful. Even if you aren't from the Bay Area, maybe you could ask your own doctor if they know a reliable colleague in San Francisco who specializes in this specific issue.

Thanks in advance.

Look, I'm actually out in the Midwest, but I'll definitely ask my psychiatrist to see if they can give me a referral for you.☕I usually just go through my insurance provider and honestly, it's been fine—I stumbled upon a good one. It's true that sometimes things get busy and we don't have much time, but whenever I truly need a vent session or something similar, he always makes room for me even if it's out of schedule.🙏I wouldn't trade him for anything since I've been seeing him from day one. I sent you a direct reply to your message, so if there's anything else on your mind, just shoot me a question... all the best.👍

Here's another 😉

I think it’s just compulsive.........

it's just how things are here

but I suppose I've grown accustomed to it 🥳