Reply To: Getting better without the NHS, any suggestions?

[FoxesandPenguinsParticipant]

I’m not sure I’ll have the best advice as I am struggling with intrusive thoughts myself at the moment, but my first question is do you have any hobbies that take up a lot of concentration? I have been learning the guitar (and singing along) and I find that this is really relaxing and takes a lot of concentration, so I feel a lot better when I play regularly. It might not cure my OCD but it certainly gives me a break from the anxiety, which is always helpful.

Also, it is worth thinking of if there is anything in your life outside of your intrusive thoughts that is causing you severe stress. This may be me stating the obvious, but my thoughts are always a million times worse during times of stress. So, is there anything you could do to remove any stressors from your life right now?

Additionally, my intrusive thoughts are always horrendously worse when I don’t get enough sleep or rest. I would NOT recommend this as a long term solution as they will lost their effectiveness, but I take nytol to help me sleep during rough patches to ensure that my brain is rested enough to deal with things.

I try my best to ignore my intrusive thoughts and just let them wash over me. This does not always succeed but I do feel better if I am at a point where I can think ‘that’s ridiculous, moving on!’. At this point, it really depends on what your intrusive thoughts are about – it can help to think that they are intrusive because they distress you, and therefore are not a reflection of who you are. I get very distressed that I will eg, start insulting people with slurs, and I remind myself that in the 17 years I have had this fear I have never actually done it! (Touch wood!) Additionally, I get worried people can hear my thoughts – at this point I have to remind myself that if people could actually do this the government would have weaponised this, also anyone who could hear someone’s thoughts would be insane and would never actually go outside to public places it would be too overwhelming!

I am thinking of joining an OCD support group to help me, as it worked to calm my partner’s intrusive thoughts. Perhaps one of the ones on here would help for you too?

I hope this helps a little bit, good luck with everything!