Short messages on Mental health, stress and anxiety issues from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
Many people with OCD do not report their symptoms to their GP because they feel ashamed or embarrassed. They may also try to disguise their symptoms from family and friends. However, if you have OCD, you should not feel ashamed or embarrassed. Like diabetes or asthma, OCD is a chronic (long-term) health condition, and it is not your fault you have it.
An example of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is when a person who fears becoming contaminated with dirt and germs may wash their hands 50 times a day, or may have the urge to repeat an action multiple times to try to “neutralise” the thought.
Use your body to help with difficult emotions. Accept they are there then breathe into them, relax large muscles and focus your eyes outwards on your environment.
There is a big difference between feeling an emotion, and acting on it. It is okay to feel hurt or angry; it is not okay to intentionally hurt others.
When something sad happens, allow yourself to feel the sadness without over-analysing. It will pass. Increasing your capacity to tolerate your feelings without repression is important.
People have feelings come up that are difficult to tolerate, and unconsciously send them away. This is known as repression. To avoid these uncomfortable feelings, our minds often employ defense mechanisms like pain or anxiety.
Remember the phrase “What you think of me is none of my business”. Try to use this phrase all week whenever you feel judged.
You don’t need to bully yourself, pressure yourself, or scare yourself with your thoughts. The first step towards self-compassion is noticing these thoughts as they arise.
You need to care about the fact that you’re suffering before you can really work toward changing it.
Abusing yourself psychologically has consequences. Just as a child might rebel if treated abusively or neglectfully, the body can rebel as well in the form of pain, anxiety, or depression.