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This is hard...

bsellars

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I have been battling OCD for several years. There are a small number of people close to me, along with my counselor, that know what I deal with. I need to talk to people who EXPERIENCE the things that I do. Therefore, this is my attempt to open up to perfect strangers because I so desperately need the help. This is incredibly difficult for me, but I imagine that you guys/girls can understand and appreciate that.

Most of you probably already know that people are not necessarily affected by just one form of OCD. This would describe me. I have small compulsions, but they only bother me a minor bit. Then I struggle with scrupulosity; this causes huge anxiety. Finally, I deal with sexual OCD as well; this also causes incredible pain and anxiety for me.

This all started a couple of years ago. I knew that I already had OCD because I did quirky things, like count my footsteps and purify a room before I left. But then, out of no where, I started having thoughts of (God help me) pedophilia. This absolutely terrified me!! I didn't understand. After some therapy, I realized that it was OCD. But what was so hard was that they felt REAL. I honestly couldn't tell if I liked the thoughts or not. This made me feel like God would never forgive me. Regardless of the fact that I have not and would not act on something like that, I felt like just having that "desire" made me too filthy and sinful for forgiveness. I know we all have a sinful nature, and if these thoughts were my true desires, then they are temptations and the bible tells us that temptations are not sins. Regardless, they make me feel disgusting, horrible, depressed, unloved, rejected by God, and unfit for Jesus' salvation. I came to a point where I honestly considered suicide. I have had similar thoughts of homosexuality; they did the same thing to me. Finally, I got on some medication and the thoughts eventually went away (moved on to something else). But now they are back and all of these horrible feelings are arising once again. Has anyone else experienced these kinds of thoughts?

Also, I deal with scrupulosity. Thinking that God would never forgive me for some of the thoughts that I have had. When I pray, I have blasphemous thoughts, whether they are sexual thoughts about Jesus, or thoughts of doubt. I get these kinds of thoughts all throughout the day. I also have thoughts of liking satan, or liking death, or wanting evil. So many thoughts that make me scared that I am not a child of God, but rather a child of satan. I fear EVERY DAY that God does not love me. That he won't forgive me and that I am going to burn in hell. And the thing is, as much as I fight these thoughts, and try to understand that they are thoughts from OCD, THEY FEEL REAL!! Someone please help me. I love God with all my heart and soul and I just want to make him happy and spend all of eternity with him. I always try to think of the "worst case" scenario; that these thoughts are not OCD, but they are actually a part of my nature. If that is the case, will God still allow me to have salvation? I am so scared and I have recently been so upset that I have again been having thoughts of suicide. I am just tired. I fight with all my will and I am just emotionally, mentally,and spiritually TIRED.

Does this sound like anyone elses situation?
 

stephr13

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I understand your intense anxiety and feeling like this is part of your nature. Doesn't spirituality seem so easy or at least do-able for others? It is so hard but there is comfort in knowing that MANY MANY people struggle with this. Like moms who have post partum depression and thoughts of harming their child. They are sick with the thoughts and have to fight the feeling that it is really their nature. which it isn't. I am totally struggling with scrupulosity right now and I hope you find comfort. rest and distraction can be helpful tools.
 
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maerae

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Oh sweetie, I know exactly how you feel :( I too struggled with fear that I would harm children sexually. It didn't matter that I had no attraction to children or desire to do so, but my mind kept going to what if? What made all those sexual predators do it? What if not only would I harm them but what if the fear of harming them left and I would actually want to? Images would flash in my head. It didn't matter if they were innocent or graphic, I would end up having a panic attack. I couldn't eat, I HATED sleeping, afraid I would dream about molesting children. I could not stand being around children or seeing them on t.v. I started bruising myself, thinking the pain might keep me from harming anybody and also in my own ocd way,making me feel better. So the cycle continued.

When my first panic attack happened, I felt that I could not go to God. That I could not reach out to Him. That there was this huge chasm between myself and God. That he could never forgive me and I was a horrible person. What used to be so easy for me to do,going to God,now felt impossible. As if someone had a hand over my mouth and I couldn't cry out and that I was worthless. It was one of the most horrible experiences of my life.

I turned to God. I listened only to music that praised him and when I would start to panic I would read his word or say a bible verse ( John 14:27) until I was able to calm down.

I still struggle to some degree with this and may never be fully free from it, but God is with me (and you). When you feel tired and scared ,run to him. Go to him with everything. Nothing is too big for God to handle.
 
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POCO50

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Wow! I'm not alone. I have only been struggling with OCD religion for only 6 months.
Having this now on my early 50's is strange. Being raised Catholic and having thought involving spiritual figures is insane. My past has not been healthy and Holy in the sight of God Ho say the least.
I go to confession monthly and communion daily. I have a lot of sins that I feel are horrible and God must be really angry with me. Anyway, I continue to have faith,hope and pray that the divine Lord will pardon me and allow me to exist with Him in eternity.
 
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gracealone

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Hi,
Have you been able to get some help? I had different themes of OCD when I was younger but OCD turned to my faith when I was in my early 50's also, so you really aren't alone. Glad you stopped in to the forum. Lots of kind and loving people here who will really "get" you. Also lots of prayer and encouragement. Hope you'll stick around.
Mitzi
Wow! I'm not alone. I have only been struggling with OCD religion for only 6 months.
Having this now on my early 50's is strange. Being raised Catholic and having thought involving spiritual figures is insane. My past has not been healthy and Holy in the sight of God Ho say the least.
I go to confession monthly and communion daily. I have a lot of sins that I feel are horrible and God must be really angry with me. Anyway, I continue to have faith,hope and pray that the divine Lord will pardon me and allow me to exist with Him in eternity.
 
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