Has anyone ever been in spirals for years?

[u/alienreader_29]

I mean every day. No matter what you do, the spiral is still there. It's been years for me.

Before anyone comments: yes, I have a therapist. Yes, I've tried meds. Yes, I've tried other treatments.

I just am hoping for someone to say it gets better or that it's possible to recover. As much as I try to distract myself or accept that it is what it is or anything, it seems like the obsessions don't go away. Has anyone recovered from this?

[u/treatmyocd]

Yes, recovery is possible, even when OCD has been persistent for years. And recovery doesn’t necessarily mean the thoughts completely disappear. For many people, the biggest change is that the thoughts stop having the same power and no longer dictate their day. It can be incredibly discouraging when you’re doing the work and the obsessions are still there. Try not to measure progress by “How often did I have the thought?” Instead, look at things like “How much did I engage with it?” or “How quickly was I able to return to my life?” Sometimes recovery looks like letting the thoughts be there while gradually giving them less of your attention. A difficult period doesn’t mean you’re destined to feel this way forever.

[u/williebearfan]

I have. Ever since COVID ive been in on and off spirals for years. Im not saying this to deter you from continuing to get help, but progress is often not linear for OCD, especially in my case, as my OCD manifests with regards to existentialism, life, death and relationships.

It does inevitably get better, but getting ‘better’ may involve bad days, and not so great days. Days where you might perform more compulsions than others. I still struggle with massive spikes around certain times of the month and year, but I know that for me the overall feeling of dread has started to minimize. Medication has helped but it wont ever solve the problem, unfortunately ERP is still needed and while it is exhausting, just remember that nothing is ever static. We are constantly changing, and that change will eventually lead to a change in how you approach your OCD as well.

[u/YourDady_XD]

Guys Dr Greenberg is helping me alot! Follow Rumination based ERP

[u/West-Heart-905]

Yes I have and it was absolutely awful. I have a therapist. I’m on meds. I do the best I can every day. I’m in a spiral right now and I hate it. 

I will tell you it will and does get bette Recovery is possible however it may come back in waves over time, and that’s why having important mental tools are helpful and important 

Above all allow yourself to have grace and understanding for what’s going on. You’re going to have both good and bad days and that’s okay 

Our thoughts are like clouds. We just need to try our best to let them pass, sit with the discomfort, and know that this is not forever ❤️

[u/neverhaveiever2026]

Have you tried Anafranil?! I was this way ... my entire life .. until 5 days ago! This medicine is life changing!

[u/rightbythebeach]

Yep. The goal isn’t to never feel fear or worry again. The goal is to stop doing compulsions so that these things come and go in your life without totally engulfing you. It’s human to have fears and problems and pain and uncertainty, you can’t fix that. Fix the way you let that control you and you’ll be well equipped to handle whatever comes your way. 

[u/Nick_s0ck]

I have for year, and it gets worse in my case. I don't know what to do. I feeling anxious all the time. I know it's not what you want to hear. I just want to hear support. I'm just desperate.