Here, I want to give you a little insight into where I got the nudge to start coping with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It took me years to reach a point where I could consciously fight it and tame it to a manageable level. I’m sharing this information simply because I always believe that if it can help even one person, I’d rather share.
The things that can help you realize it’s time to step up and start changing your OCD patterns will be different from mine. However, these are the things that helped me get on a path where I truly began caring about myself and coping with my problems. I had numerous realizations along the journey towards self-improvement. So, consider this post as a starting point, and don’t hesitate to share the situation you’re currently in. Sometimes, by sharing, your brain can generate new coping mechanisms simply through reading, thinking, or expressing your perspective.
Two things that motivated me to start coping with OCD were crystal clear to me once I realized what OCD truly took away from me and the potential harm it could cause.
The first reason was my son’s perceptiveness, as he could observe my behaviors. The second reason was the energy that OCD drained from me, energy that could have been directed toward other pursuits.
My son
My son is now over 1 year old, and from this age onwards, he takes notice of everything I do. He observes my actions, such as touching specific things in a particular manner, giving him three kisses, or repeatedly touching his hand three times due to my need to count everything in threes.
I don’t want my son to develop my negative habits simply because I was unable to cope with my own problems. I want to spare him from experiencing similar challenges in any aspect of his life, especially OCD-related difficulties.
It is my duty to ensure that, at least when I am with my son, I eliminate these struggles. This becomes step number one for me, and I need to improve as soon as possible. My son is highly observant and absorbs a great deal, so it is crucial to me that I allow him to grow and be raised without being burdened by my own struggles.
The Energy
OCD consumes a significant amount of my energy.
I need to change this dynamic so that I can utilize my energy for other purposes. I possess potential in creative fields that would bring me happiness and fulfillment on a spiritual level. However, one of the barriers preventing me from completing my music, books, and drawings is the lack of energy resulting from expending it on compulsions throughout the day.
When we find ourselves fixated in one place, obsessing over something to the point of exhaustion, we cannot finish other tasks, perform our work effectively, be present in the moment, or be there for others. During these moments, it becomes crucial for us to strive for improvement and initiate the change within ourselves.
These two factors are fundamental to my well-being.
I recommend you reflect on what OCD is taking away from you. What would you do with the energy if OCD was not draining it?
This realization can serve as a powerful motivator to cope with OCD in a productive manner and ultimately overcome or manage it effectively.
We must prioritize our mental health just as we prioritize our physical health, consistently. If we stop exercising, our muscles atrophy. In order to maintain fitness, we must exercise. The same principle applies to our mental well-being.
Finding the right exercises to train our minds in coping with obsessions and compulsions can be challenging.
One more thing that I realized along the road: Recognize the Fear Behind It
Throughout my journey of coping with OCD, I have learned that compulsions arise from fear.
I fear the potential outcomes that I believe would occur if I don’t engage in the compulsions. The obsessive thoughts revolve around my loved ones, myself, or the world, and I cope with this fear by performing the compulsions.
But when I examine the fear from a different perspective—observing it, contemplating why it exists, its rationality, and its probability—I realize that the compulsions are likely not as necessary as I thought.
The obsessive thoughts attempt to convince you otherwise,, but when you stick to your guns and refuse to obey, they gradually fade away. They’ll be screaming at you, trying to make you throw in the towel, but once you begin observing the fear behind their screams, realizing the implausibility of the thoughts, and acknowledging that you’re no Neo upon whom the entire world depends, the screams become less intimidating.
Occasionally, they may still shout at you, but you won’t be as frightened, and you can simply let them go.
Reaching this stage of realization is incredibly relieving.
It all comes down to taking action. Do you find yourself on the right path and then slipping back into your compulsions? Fear is what drives us back to the old path.
We must recognize that we need to observe the fear—analyze it, view it from different angles, and become acquainted with it. By doing so, we can realize how absurd it is to think that the outcome hinges on our every decision and that we can save the world through compulsions. Fear desires to keep you in its grip, but once you look it in the eye and observe it directly, you will understand why it exists and how to cope with it.
Fear is the driving force behind our compulsions, and it connects with us through obsessive thoughts. The thoughts serve as amplifiers for fear. Observe the fear and find the knob to turn it down. It’s there. You just need to look for it.
Let me know your fears. We can start observing them.
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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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