Quell

    hey, I'm Matt from Redondo Beach and I've had OCD for about 30 years now. I'd like to share some things I've learned that help to lessen the symptoms of OCD and allow you to enjoy more of your life. Just know that this life doesn't last forever and we will have final rest in heaven when we are saved by Jesus with His redeeming grace.

    Avoid Sin

    Sin goes against your spirit, mind and body and causes distress. Sin can also induce feelings of guilt, which can cause anxiety and OCD symptoms in attempt to correct the mistake. It can be difficult not to sin, but it is possible and it is worth it. There are often alternatives to sin without removing the desire. For example, if one struggles with lust, getting married can remedy the sin without denying the desire.

    Caffeine Moderation

    Caffeine aggravates OCD. Even just a little caffeine can cause your mind to spin with compulsive thoughts. Caffeine, however, is very effective for productivity. So what I've discovered is that a small amount of caffeine, although not perfect, is ok and is improved with some other kinds of stimulants like mushrooms. Therefore, I suggest the Four Sigmatic Balance blend for the optimal balance between productivity and mental peace.

    Social Connection

    • Social interaction helps you stay out of your head. It does this by:
    • 1. providing a need to be present to avoid a bad interaction.
    • 2. confirming that there is truth and enforcing certainty by finding common ground and agreeing with someone on the same thing.
    • 3. healing the heart by correcting the belief that things don't matter or that love isn't real or possible.

    Environmental Factors

    • Feeling too warm can exacerbate OCD symptoms. Try to move to a cooler environment with a breeze to begin thinking normally again.
    • If you find yourself stuck in an OCD fit, moving to a new environment can open a new perspective and allow you to forget the OCD problem you couldn't get past.
    • 'Noisy' environments like a night club with loud music, lights and lots of people or even a grocery store with lots of different items and choices can trigger OCD.
    • Annoying noises like someone whistling or eating loudly can trigger OCD and also pleasant but strong noises like a song with overpowering bass can cause OCD to start up.
    • I've found that while music can help provide focus, it is useful in the afternoons but not in the morning. In the morning, optimal focus is achieved with silence and a cup of something nice to drink. Let your mind explore the new day with clarity.
    • Sitting upright in a chair or leaning forward, while not as comfortable as reclining back, is better for deeper focus.

    Physical Activity

    When I go paragliding I notice that my focus is entirely devoted to flying because subconsciously I realize that my full focus is needed to keep from crashing. And if I've given all of my focus for something then theres none left for OCD. This makes for an enjoyable time performing the sport but it also teaches your mind and gets it in the habit of staying more outwardly focused instead on inside your head with compulsive thoughts. Now, you don't have to go paragliding to accomplish this, it can be achieved with other activities that require lots of your focus like driving, going on a hike, riding a skateboard, playing beach volleyball or playing pickleball. The key is to be moving because moving your body calls your mind to be very attentive to ensure your safety.

    Overcome Naturally

    Avoid using alcohol or drugs to escape from an OCD problem. You must let your brain figure out how to overcome the problem instead of running away from it or else it will just return. If you perpetuate the cycle by coping unhealthily, eventually your body wont be able to handle the abuse anymore and you'll be in a worse off situation having to deal with health issues on top of your OCD. Let your mind figure out how to work through the OCD problem and there will be calm waters.

    Face Your Fears

    It can be difficult to separate what is OCD and what is normal thought. For example, it is normal to try to figure things out in your head and make them correct and right before moving on to the next thing but what OCD likes to do is to take an imperfection that isn't wrong and try to make it wrong just because its imperfect. This can drive someone crazy bc the OCD is requiring the person to do an impossible thing. In this case, you need to face your fears and do what you know is right and not what the OCD wants you to do. This will cause a lot of anxiety and distress for a few hours or days and should be done when you have the time for it but if you do you could carve a new groove in your mind and create a new way of thinking that you will then take afterwards in the same kind of situation. I did this one time by refusing to do big physical movements to satisfy the OCD. It was very stressful for a whole day but then my mind realized it needed to make a new path forward and since then I haven't done any big body movements to satisfy the OCD. You just come to a point where its just way too taxing to do what OCD is demanding and then you just put your foot down and refuse to do it no matter what. This should probably be done with all OCD demands.

    Weather the Storm

    Weathering the storm falls along the lines of facing your fears as we just reviewed. However, this approach is a little more hands-off. What we're doing here is seeing an OCD trigger when it happens and not engaging it but just waiting until it passes. Our first instinct is to solve the problem. But its not obvious that if we just refrain from taking action our brain will indeed lose anxiety over it and we can then continue with what we were originally doing with the anxiety gone. Don't Engage!

    Prayer Works

    The Lord has the power to heal all ailments and calm all storms. While He has His purposes for letting us deal with maladies, praying and reading the Bible can do a lot for resolving whatever issue you have. Just trust in the Lord and He will respond to you.

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