It can be incredibly challenging and overwhelming when OCD affects you to such an extent that it hinders your ability to carry out your daily tasks.
You find yourself trapped in a cycle of compulsions, rituals, and intrusive thoughts, feeling compelled to perform countless movements, prayers, checks, and counts before you can even leave a room. The amount of energy it consumes is immense.
You attempt to reason with yourself, to talk some sense into your mind, but it often feels like you cannot break this cycle.
You’re aware of how irrational and unnecessary these behaviors are, yet you cannot break free from their grip. Despite knowing that you’re being unreasonable, you simply can’t help yourself.
Even at 6.2″ tall and weighing 202 pounds, you remain vulnerable (in my case).
It’s not just OCD that you grapple with; it’s also the accompanying feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and self-hatred. You struggle to conquer your mind, which seems to control every aspect of your life.
The inner dialogue you engage in is something you keep to yourself, reluctant to share with others. It’s a conversation where you become your harshest critic, swiftly passing judgment and harboring self-hatred.
However, if you were to witness a family member going through the same ordeal, your approach would be one of compassion and a genuine desire to help them. Unfortunately, we cannot extend the same level of understanding and aid to ourselves right away; it’s a gradual learning process.
There are moments when managing OCD feels more controllable. I realized that what helps me is breathwork and meditation. I know, I know – I mention it too often. But it really helps and does make a difference!
When the episodes worsen, it’s a different story. You find yourself compelled to obey and resolve the issues that OCD makes you do to move forward. You’re unable to conceive any other alternative in those moments, and the struggle intensifies. It becomes an internal battle, a fight against yourself.
And so, I find myself contemplating what strategies could potentially assist us in navigating situations like these. Surely, there must be a way. Is it a matter of practicing mindfulness and trying to be fully present in the moment? But how “easy” is that amid OCD’s grip? Should I redirect back to what I was about to do? I’m not sure.
The mind wields such tremendous power and intrusiveness that it denies you the freedom to live your life without constant turmoil. It’s a rollercoaster of ups and downs. The highs can be beautiful, but the lows are incredibly deep. You feel as though it has the power to destroy you.
For example, OCD could interfere with you when you’re driving, posing a potential danger to both yourself and those around you. I sometimes feel like it could get in the way of focusing on the road. You don’t want any of that to be a part of you when you’re driving or doing anything that could lead to a dangerous result.
During severe episodes, it often feels like there’s no way to cope other than to succumb to the compulsions and rituals – you just do as you’re “told.”
I’m seriously thinking about possible ways and strategies to conquer or at least tame it. OCD is so exhausting.
Let me hear your thoughts. What aspects of OCD do you find most challenging? And what strategies or coping mechanisms have you discovered that provide you with some relief?
Let’s share our experiences and insights to support one another.
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I consider this blog a calling. I never realized that before. But now I know what my calling is, and I want to continue to improve and help us better manage our OCD. I know how limiting OCD is. I’ve lived with it for more than 24 years. It’s time to learn as much as we can about this disorder to not only cope with it, but to actually get better.
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