Intrusive thoughts
I've really struggled with intrusive thoughts and compulsive behavior lately. For example, I normally take a walk everyday sometimes multiple times a day for both physical and mental health. This time of year I enjoy stepping on leaves and hearing a crunch. It started as something fun and relaxing but now I feel I *have* to crunch every leaf I cross paths with or it stresses me out not to but it also gives me stress to feel pressured into doing it so I'm just always anxious.
@wittyGrapes7678
Thank you for sharing about your experience with intrusive thoughts and compulsive behavior. It has to be increasingly difficult and uncomfortable for you to feel like you must step on every leaf before continuing to walk, and I can definitely understand that sensation not helping with your anxiety.
As someone who suffers from OCD and knows with a strong familiarity how intrusive thinking and compulsive behaviors feel, I know that it can be a serious and increasingly-difficult struggle as time moves along. You're not alone!
Feel free to reach out if you'd like to - to me or anyone else on the site, preferably with personal experience with OCD (like myself). You can find a list of listeners like that here: https://www.7cups.com/BrowseListeners/?badge=&find=&sort=&ageGroup=&listType=&country=&category=34&gender=&language=&verifiedlistener=on&livedExperience=on
I wish you only the best of luck and the support you deserve!
All the best,
@ShneurZ
Hello @witty I also have been feeling always anxious & have bad OCD. For me it's cleaning & doing repitive things /counting. It's really awful to live with. It's been triggered even more by life situation. Hoping it gets better for you.
Hello, I’ve been struggling with the same issues recently mostly focused around driving. It can be such a challenging issue, hopefully things get better for you soon and you find relaxation again