Pure o help

[HD3484]

Good morning. New member here. I’m reaching out to this forum because I feel so alone with this disorder.

I was diagnosed with ocd about five/six years ago. I was constantly ruminating that my husband was having an affair due to him constantly working (Navy). His mind was constantly on his work, so my mind went to “affair,” due to internet research of “how you know he’s cheating.” I ruminated for months. I saw a psychiatrist because I knew something didn’t seem right and he diagnosed me with ocd. Fortunately, this theme went away on its own.

It came back a couple of years ago with a theme of, “What if I threw my newborn down the stairs,” due to an intrusive thought when I was carrying her down the stairs. That led to constant ruminating and internet research which led me to believe I was turning into Andrea Yates. This thought caused me so much distress that I was having daily panic attacks.

Again, this theme went away on its own. I don’t know how but it did. I’m now on a new theme after reading something on this forum. I read a post that said “OCD is just satan whispering in your ear.” This terrifies me. I looked this up on the internet and it led to people who believe that have schizophrenia, so I’m sure you can guess what my new theme is. I have looked up all the symptoms. I don’t have any of them but I can’t stop obsessing. I’m terrified I have this. Can intrusive thoughts be “what if..” whatever symptom I just read about? For example, people with schizophrenia think everyone is out to get them. If I see someone, I’ll think,” What if you think that person was out to get you,” and then a huge rush of anxiety.

I’m terrified. Any advice would be great.

 

[Tempura]

I've seen plenty of people with OCD on Christian Forums lately. I don't even come to these specific forums, yet I can't help seeing them. You're definitely not alone with your troubles.

Are you still treated? Professional help can be great. Especially with illnesses of the mind, which causes people to doubt and worry about everything. And if you only seek to get free of whatever "theme" you're struggling with, what about the next one? So I hope you seek treatment, and that in time you'll be more at peace, and not surrendering to these thoughts that are troubling you.

Christ told us that we don't have to worry. God knows the condition you have, He won't use it against you. We can trust that He is good, and that nothing we worry about, especially our illnesses, can't keep us away from His love and care. We can be like children, and be comforted.

I hope someone who has conquered their OCD responds to you, as I don't have it. But don't be afraid, our minds don't have power over truth or God. Said a prayer for you.

 

[HD3484]

I've seen plenty of people with OCD on Christian Forums lately. I don't even come to these specific forums, yet I can't help seeing them. You're definitely not alone with your troubles.

Are you still treated? Professional help can be great. Especially with illnesses of the mind, which causes people to doubt and worry about everything. And if you only seek to get free of whatever "theme" you're struggling with, what about the next one? So I hope you seek treatment, and that in time you'll be more at peace, and not surrendering to these thoughts that are troubling you.

Christ told us that we don't have to worry. God knows the condition you have, He won't use it against you. We can trust that He is good, and that nothing we worry about, especially our illnesses, can't keep us away from His love and care. We can be like children, and be comforted.

I hope someone who has conquered their OCD responds to you, as I don't have it. But don't be afraid, our minds don't have power over truth or God. Said a prayer for you.

Thank you! I am being treated with both therapy and Lexapro. I’m constantly guarding every thought I have to make sure it’s not too “crazy.” I see my therapist Saturday. I’m hoping he can help.

I keep praying to the Lord about this. I hate saying this but He feels so distant. I need help with this. I need to stop taking my thoughts so seriously. I’m in the Word every day. I’m a follower of Christ. I just wish I could feel His peace in my mind again. I miss Him and feel so far from Him.

 

[Tempura]

I keep praying to the Lord about this. I hate saying this but He feels so distant. I need help with this. I need to stop taking my thoughts so seriously. I’m in the Word every day. I’m a follower of Christ. I just wish I could feel His peace in my mind again. I miss Him and feel so far from Him.

It's okay. For many people who are "well", He feels distant to them at times too. He's not distant, it's just we're learning that God or even our faith isn't based on feelings. In time, I believe and have experienced, that we'll be given enough of that feeling here and there to reinvigorate us and keep us going back to Him. Meanwhile, we can just simply trust, to put our hope in Him, and wait for the Lord. Our faith becomes stronger, we'll learn to patiently trust God more, stand through tribulations and hardships, and the easier it gets to accept that He's already there, including His peace. He knows your heart, dear, and He's probably working with something in you that you don't even have the faintest clue about. You can just put your hope in Him, even (and especially) when you're afraid, confused and you're not feeling much. Just pray to Him as you are. You are very much loved, and our doubts and struggles simply can't take that fact away. In time, we will struggle no more.

Good to know you're being treated! Good job! One other thing I've noticed, about hardships and illnesses. I suffered long, so long, from incapacitating depression and anxiety. And I needed to hear from people who had gone through the same. Their words of comfort were absolute gold. They had been through it, and they came out out of it, without an ounce of bitterness in their heart. Just patience, love, sympathy, mercy and wisdom. They're like shining beacons for some people, and God absolutely uses them. So whenever you feel like nothing good can ever come out of your troubles, think again. Someone somewhere, some time, will need your understanding. Someone who's going through something you are very familiar with. And you can absolutely comfort that someone, and give them hope in their darkness and fear. So often we have no idea how our misery turns into a blessing in the end.

 

[HD3484]

This is so comforting. I often think about how God can be glorified through this! And I know the Lord is there. I went through six years of infertility asking where He was. He was there the whole time. Our baby just turned two He’s very faithful, and I know He’ll pull me through. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom

 

[Tempura]

This is so comforting. I often think about how God can be glorified through this! And I know the Lord is there. I went through six years of infertility asking where He was. He was there the whole time. Our baby just turned two He’s very faithful, and I know He’ll pull me through. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom

Amazing! Great to hear about your precious baby. What a blessing. That's very inspiring and encouraging to me as well, so thank you sister. God bless you and your loved ones.

 

[Mari17]

I have OCD, and these are all CLASSIC obsessions! Relationship OCD, harm OCD, health OCD! Does your therapist know how to treat OCD? He/She should know how to use CBT and ERP therapy to help you, as regular "talk" therapy tends to not be effective for OCD. Regardless, there is SO much you can learn and implement on your own as well. I'd be more than happy to share some of the online resources I've used, if you like. Also, you should consider joining the "Christianity and Anxiety Disorders" Facebook group, which I am a part of. I think you'd find it really helpful, because it's a community of believers who struggle with OCD, and many of the members are very knowledgeable about OCD and give good advice. Also, the founder of the group, Mitzi VanCleve, wrote a book called Strivings Within: The OCD Christian which I found very helpful in understanding and treating my scrupulosity.

 

[HD3484]

I have OCD, and these are all CLASSIC obsessions! Relationship OCD, harm OCD, health OCD! Does your therapist know how to treat OCD? He/She should know how to use CBT and ERP therapy to help you, as regular "talk" therapy tends to not be effective for OCD. Regardless, there is SO much you can learn and implement on your own as well. I'd be more than happy to share some of the online resources I've used, if you like. Also, you should consider joining the "Christianity and Anxiety Disorders" Facebook group, which I am a part of. I think you'd find it really helpful, because it's a community of believers who struggle with OCD, and many of the members are very knowledgeable about OCD and give good advice. Also, the founder of the group, Mitzi VanCleve, wrote a book called Strivings Within: The OCD Christian which I found very helpful in understanding and treating my scrupulosity.

Hi, Mari! I would LOVE for you to share with me what you have used! I have Mitzy's book and have read it numerous times. I follow her on facebook as well. I love my therapist, but I've stopped seeing him as it was more "talk therapy." I'm having a difficult time finding a therapist here that specializes in OCD, so I'm hoping to just find resources I can use on my own. I'm on my way to joining the Facebook page you recommended. Thank you for sharing with me. I'm looking forward to your reply to see what you have to share with me! God bless!

 

[Mari17]

Hi, Mari! I would LOVE for you to share with me what you have used! I have Mitzy's book and have read it numerous times. I follow her on facebook as well. I love my therapist, but I've stopped seeing him as it was more "talk therapy." I'm having a difficult time finding a therapist here that specializes in OCD, so I'm hoping to just find resources I can use on my own. I'm on my way to joining the Facebook page you recommended. Thank you for sharing with me. I'm looking forward to your reply to see what you have to share with me! God bless!

There's a lot you can do on your own! I've actually never gone to therapy for my OCD. It's probably harder in some ways, but (depending on how bad your OCD is), I think it's definitely possible to work on by yourself. It's hard for me to know where to start, but I'll share my absolute favorite resources first, and then if you have questions and/or want more resources, we can go from there! Also, feel free to pm me any time!
OK, here goes:
http://ocdandchristianity.com/ (I especially like the blog posts.)
https://www.ocdonline.com/
https://noiseinyourhead.com/free-video-series/ (In my opinion, the first two videos are a bit lame but help set the stage for the rest. I definitely recommend videos 3-6 though.)
Welcome
The OCD Stories | Real Stories That Educate & Inspire Those With OCD

I also look forward to having you in the FB group! If you've already requested to join, I think I may have approved you earlier (I'm one of the moderators). OCD can be awful at times, but you're definitely NOT alone, and it is possible to live victoriously over it and have a very happy and productive life DESPITE our tendency to obsess, overthink, and get lost in our own minds! It's also been a great tool for teaching me to trust in God more and depend on myself less, so God has used it for good in my life as well!

 

[Tempura]

It's also been a great tool for teaching me to trust in God more and depend on myself less, so God has used it for good in my life as well!

Sorry to jump in, but I like this. He can turn our bad into something good. And not only for ourselves, it's clear that you're all helping each other as well, letting God work in that way too. Many people have similar struggles, and once someone is a veteran of that struggle, he/she can easily comfort and encourage others. It's great. Carry on people!