I posted a video three years ago and got a lot of views/comments. This is an update. OCD hasn't been a problem for me at all. It comes and goes, just like everything else. You CAN overcome it!
i commented on this video about 3 years ago. when scrupulousity and ocd was driving me mad. i did a lot of self help. tried everything in the book. and prayed about it. everything helped but i think one thing that really went a long way in helping me was just fighting through to ignore the spike and not do whatever ritual comes to mind. ignore it a few times no matter how difficult it is and it will begin to be easier to ignore. 3 years later and thank God i am almost 100 % over this ocd monster. :D
Can you tell me what your rituals were? You know how you HAVE to do a ritual in order to move on. I know I can ignore it but what about the anxiety and stress it brings after? Because the main reason we do the ritual is to lower the anxiety. So if I ignore the ritual what shall I do next??
You are a wise person beyond your years. If you don't mind me asking you, do you have the rituals or thoughts? I have suffered since I'm 13 and didn't know what it was until I went to my therapist a few years ago about my thoughts. Channels like yours and Ali Greymond help a lot. I consider myself on recovery, but occasionally get a spike. Thank yoo.
Same Im experiencing POCD and I felt so horrible for the past month But its better.Im nowhere near recovery but I AM a lot better I want to goto the gym again God will help us .
Whenever I feel things are getting too hard for me with OCD, I come back to watch this video. Hope you're living a full and happy life now. And thank you so much for the inspiration and company through the years.
Resisting OCD is like like jumping in a cool pool. It's cold at first and you really want to get out, but once you are in there for a few minutes you don't notice it and the urge to act out the OCD becomes weaker and weaker. The key is to not "legitimize" the "spike" (negative re-accruing thought) by acting out the manifestations or mental patterns. This is the only way to cure OCD. I had it for 30 years and once I put this to practice, I was cured!
Sometimes I get paranoid that God wants me to do something like pray and say thank you before I watch a video or do anything, but I'm starting to think that the enemy has used OCD against me. Thank you for this video, Praise the LORD!!! Hallelujah!! I think I can finally be free of this pain by just trusting God, and not getting so worked up over my weird obsessions. Idk man, you just gotta keep it real like you said in this video. Thanks man! Praise God!!
I can relate to this quite a bit. Mindset makes a big difference, and it's amazing how much control it can get if you let your OCD take control of you. But once you learn to accept things as is (not approve, just accept) and realize that your OCD isn't what controls you and thoughts are just thoughts, you become a lot happier. Diet, exercise, sun exposure, and relaxation techniques, all make a huge difference. Thanks for the video. Some good pointers here.
I had OCD and it went away completely. Sure, I still had negative thoughts about what used to really bother me, but its unreasonable to expect such an experience to leave you completely. Its like having a car accident, it will affect the rest of your life, but you wont feel like youre being hit forever. I said my OCD went away and it did, for about 2 years. But it came back much worse and by now a much more prolonged time. Im really struggling right now. But I do believe it can go away "completely".
I am on the same boat as you are / were. I had OCD when I was in 10th grade, it lasted for 2 years, and then went completely away for couple of years. When I say "it completely went away", I don't mean the thoughts, but the anxiety in response to those thoughts. I was able to treat those thoughts as just another random thought and could easily let go off it. I have a different OCD now, it has lasted longer and seems more difficult to cope up with (Everything seems "more difficult" when you are actually going through it). I seem to have partially been able to alter my response but I still get occasional spikes that eats up few hours of my day and makes me feel low. Suffering from OCD is like carrying 100 pounds of unnecessary weight in your mind, when my first OCD got over, my head felt extremely light, it was as if the weight was finally taken off. I used to be happy for no reason. It was an amazing feeling. Unfortunately, It lasted only for couple of years before I was hit by another OCD. But I guess, my first experience has given me a lot of confidence that this mental disease can be conquered. I am hell bent to get the fucking thing out of mind and feel 100 pounds lighter again.
I got unlucky and got it twice. Once when I was a child maybe around 8. Thankfully, after around 2 months, it just disappeared and I barely even thought about it. Now, 10 years later, it popped again (Tho the thought was completely different and so dark I can't even say it). It almost got the better of me and I almost ended myself. Thankfully, I pushed on. Two days ago, I learned that what I had when I was 8 was ocd too, and it gave me a huge motivational boost. If I beat it once, then I can and will beat again. Now, just 2 days later, it's almost over and I feel like when it will be, I'll barely remember this. This year it will be gone, I have faith.
yes, exactly! Train your mind to think positively. Do what works best for you and day by day you will worry less about your negative thoughts and problems. And good for you, focusing on the beauty of the world to live in the moment!
Thanks for the video, I have had OCD for 17 years, and it is fucking hell.... The only thing I didn't agree with is that this is a life long condition... I believe people can cure themselves somehow from OCD....
Yeath I think people can cure themselves of OCD. The only thing that worked for me is ERP, forcing myself to intentionally do things that trigger my ocd and keep moving forward with my day without giving into a compulsion. It's not easy but it's very effective at decreasing your anxiety in the long term.
Part of why it is staying in your mind is because you're most likely placing seriousness with your OCD. If you view it as important, you mind will likely keep hold of it. Also try to put you life in front of your OCD. Acceptance of your symptoms will help to push you forwards in recovery. Seeing a therapist who specialises in in OCD also increases the chances of recovering too. The best self help book I know is "Brain Lock" by Jeffrey Swartz. Lastly, OCD is chronic in the sense that it will have the potential to show you a new OCD symptom at some points in the life. But you have the option of mindfulness to just let that thought/feeling/urge to go away. Everyone gets these random symptoms (even those without OCD), but they don't place importance on it. You essentially have to just push the OCD away and trust in your mind. Also if you don't do any compulsions/rituals, over time it will dissipate. What makes the OCD go away for good is long-term mindfulness over a year to a year and a half of allowing any OCD to be present at will, but also then shifting your attention to anything you want to do in life. For some people recovery can be a quick as within a month. But don't set a time to recover but, but let your mind heal as it goes. I had severe OCD almost 24/7 for 3 months, then every now and then for 9 months for a year and I recovered. What I'm saying is that no matter how severe it is, its possible to recover. Its hard to do, but again its possible to recover for everyone. Hope that helps.
@@oumaymaelmelhaoui3624 It can be cured, it has for me. ERP therapy (exposure response prevention), or essentially not performing the compulsions but allowing ourselves to feel the underlying emotions as they arise, and peak in intensity, was what healed me. It took a few sessions. But it is possible. Give up the fight, it's okay.
THANK YOU!!!!!! im 33 and did intensive out patient therapy. thank you for making this video. there are so many people who need help!!! its no different then going to the dr for an infection. when people need medical help they should know its out there, and it DOES GET SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!! stay strong everyone!!
Good stuff mate. In the end no matter what the ocd(i have most of em) the problem/solution can all be traced back to how we respond to our thoughts/feelings.Yes ocders might have their brains sending off false alarms or are bombarded with unwanted thoughts more than most people but this is in our favor coz it makes us more inclined to become aware of the relationship between our thoughts/beliefs and our behaviours so as to stop our suffering.True Freedom is the end of mental slavery.Peace.
I love how you call it retraining your brain. I realize that I'm getting an intrusive thought that really isn't something I need to be worrying about and I ignore it. I have gotten a lot better and I'm on a low dose of medication when I use to be on a ton of antianxiety meds. In two years of self talks, it helps tremendously.
I currently have OCD conditions, and I act out on OCD conditions about a year before I had been made aware that I have OCD about a month ago. I have been stressing out more than I've ever stressed. This video has helped me coped with OCD, and thank you for this video.
To me you are among one of the bravest a human can be. Normal people will never understand the way it feels to have this. Thank you for your words, if you could please make an update video I would greatly appreciate it. Just know every view you get is potential to help change someone’s life.
Hi John, Thanks for dropping some knowledge. I've had OCD most of my adult life... was also on Celexa, for two years, but stopped taking it because it kept interfering with my sleep. I agree OCD seems to be a chronic condition (at least in my experience). I have ups and downs with the disorder, but I've found the most important ingredient for success is learning how to be non-reactive toward the intrusive "OCD" thoughts/urges. I admire your positive attitude/outlook... Peace! - Rich
John! Thank you so much for this I literally have been learning to laugh at these intrusive thoughts that I have been so scared of previously. It's irrational thoughts and fears that I would NEVER do which causes me and many others to psych ourselves out creating panic. Its really strange thinking that your mind has a section of its own makeup its just up to you to depict the true thoughts and feelings vs. the self torment in which your mind has learned to hold onto these thoughts, because being a human in society you want to justify everything. BUT! that's the thing you DO NOT!! have to justify a thought because (things that pop up into your head Do not cause a feared action which is the TRUE fear) The TRUE FEAR is that these thoughts will somehow trigger an action to make us something we are not which is why its like a scary movie you create in your mind and your the main character. I feel like many people have learned this anxiety and our minds have almost mimicked that release of the chemical (cortisol) which is the stress chemical that is released every-time these thoughts occur, it triggers that so your brain will replicate that same phenomenon because your trying to figure out why a thought created such an intense feeling, thoughts that release this cortisol will trick the brain and the brain will feel the need to conquer or figure out something. people who smoke cigarettes, marijuana, etc. drink alcohol regularly and or other substance regularly often get anxiety disorders it the name of the game. its like here's what you get for falling into temptation! I do not feel like medications truly fix the problem but only temporarily hide the problem. It is important to keep your mind clear by eating healthy exercising practice being MINDFUL not ( mind=full ) Also its important to realize that these thoughts wont ever truly go away until those thoughts truthfully don't effect you anymore. so instead of freaking out looking for re-assurance, breathe realize that this is a part of your OCD be happy you recognize it and pat yourself on the back because you didn't do the stupid crazy worst case scenario that you keep letting torcher your mind lol . prayer and meditation really helps also because it brings an acceptance and contentness,People with OCD and anxiety need to realize their brains are working on an over drive and it is not fair to your brain and body to work that hard over pointless exhausting thoughts. believe me I have been there and I just want to leave this comment showing that I also have and am continuing to let go of these irrational fears.
Hi John, the most important is that since the first video, you were already transmitting good vibe even when you were reporting your fight. I have this same battle, and I believe that even if you are or were beating HOCD and you are able to keep the good vibe, you are already a complete man.
Hi John, I googled some self-help about OCD and I watched your video and I think that the OCD you have is exactly like my own - in my case I recall conversations again and again. I beleive that your advice works in that if you simply rationalise it and label this as OCD and go back through your thought process to find out what triggered it. Then you gradually try to eliminate it by stop thinking about it as important and minimise it's importance in your mind. Well done mate!
Happy for u dude. what works for me that I increase the spike, I.e if I have an intrusive though then I multiply it. This works because ur not doubting the thought, u just accept it and then move on. Also initially bombarding or exposing ur brain with the things is also very helpful.
I used to fantasize about blowing my head off with a shot gun all the time dealing with OCD. The only thing that helped me overcome my OCD was FORCING myself to stop doing my external compulsions (walking in and out of doors, doing things over and over a million times) and then doing ERP to deal with my remaining intrusive thoughts. I still have intrusive thoughts but there are a lot less of them and they give me very little anxiety now. I think ERP is definitely something anyone with OCD should look into. It's difficult but very effective.
The one and only best way to overcome Ocd is to fear nothing , just believe that what has happened has happened , but from this moment I will be positive and be kind towards people and remember believe in you and God,or stick to your loved ones as they would believe in you, as it supports us that someone is looking after us. All this will help, I'm saying from my personal experience.
OMG! So nice of you to update us, handsome!!=)) You know what, being so far far away, I realize UA-cam is super fabulous!=D It’s really good that OCD doesn’t bother you again=D, in fact I also had that shit 5 years ago, a gross thought of hurting my family which turned my life upside down. Anyway, it’s over too! Now I find that experience somehow strengthens me, sometimes I’d wonder…may be it is a gift?!! Crazy!.., I dunno, but of coz it still looks like an exact shit far more, haha!!=D
I’m so glad you got better and you’re feeling alive. All of you with OCD, I hope you can find peace one day. What I found really a helps me is to let all thoughts into my head- just say that like an affirmation at times. And then forget you even have ocd! It’s a miracle sometimes, the way it works :) Edit: A year after I wrote this comment, OCD was overcome. Exposure response prevention therapy (ERP) is the best way. I can't recommend it enough - to face our deepest fears is what sets us free. My beautiful souls, blessings to you. Blessings, find peace, may you set yourselves free. You are worthy.
Sorry for the different IDs by the way - I have no idea why but sometimes youtube switches with my google account. Great - thanks for the encouragement. Need to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel and be patient by the sound of it. 1 year is good going - well done.
Just coming back here after beating Pure OCD. This was a blessing 2 years ago. Now new theme of OCD is back, I will say Peripheral OCD. Im ready for the battle
hey.i am 43 year old and used to have ocd when i was 22.it took a certain amount of toll but i am free from it now.i saw your video long time ago and now i am totally free from ocd.i do not take much of pills too.it just would go away as time passes by.sorry bout my english,cuz i am a japanese...but keep it up man.good luck.
I have ocd too but as long as i take my medication I only experience a little ocd. It's good you're taking your medication. I'm going to put this on my facebook.
You can treat yourself! Just realised in every situation when u have something in your mind, If you will not close the door twice, something wrong will happen. Try to say yourself!! IT's bulshit! And go close the door once and go! and do it in every situation. It is helping me a lot!
Hey man. As I watch you talk I feel like I am watching myself. I have OCD pretty bad. Your video helps even though I know everything you're saying. I like how you call them "Spikes" that is a good word for a compulsion. I would love to chat sometime.
I know I can deal with it, which is why I don't sometimes. It can be pretty exhausting to keep yourself in check all the time, sometimes I can't help but give in to it. Pretty much ignore the thoughts, do not emotionally react to them, everyone has weirdo thoughts every now and then (even normal people) so no reason to freak over them. But ppl with OCD wonder about why they think those types of things & are scared they can't control it-which perpetuates it. So...ignore it like the guy said.
This is exactly right. The almost impossible part is to ignore the thoughts and not to act out on the compulsion. Easier said than done. What medication was effective for you?
I have kinda weird OCD whereas my irrational brain thinks I will be looking like this person if I see him/her by my eyes wherever it is, TV, cellphone, in person.
Your video gives me hope. But it just seems like I with my OCD will never be able to achieve the level you have. I live with my parents at 23 years old. I have no job. I'm treated like a little princess. I just can't see myself getting a job.
Thank you I have daily struggles with this bs and I want to live without it the problem is every little thing I do OCD makes it feel like it will have life long impacts and I am ready to move on
Dealing with a lot of stress that triggered ocd which was gone for many years. Feels bit over whelming but sure it will improve as things settle. Do u find stress triggers yours. Thanks for the positive message and encouragement
OCD is so hard to live with. I was only diagnosed a couple of months ago but it's still getting rough, mainly because I haven't been getting CBT or ERP therapy, just meds and talk therapy.
@JohnTheEng Wow!! It sounds really wonderful!!!=D yes, HK maybe less so as everything here is more densely packed, but sadly people here use energy rather recklessly..., like we've serious light pollution in the city because of the over-bright billboards & it actually affects the sleeping quality of residents around=(… I’m lucky as my home is right next to a hill=) So I think your fabulous & meaningful vision gets very well with HK situation too!=D omgomg…you’re so cool!!=D
I can't believe no-one even replied to your comment. I'm new to all this but am reading a book called "Brain Lock" which advises(just as they did in counselling) to try a 4 step approach which roughly translates to identifying your obsessions, labelling them as such, and completely stopping the physical/mental rituals that would normally follow. Then over time it's like starving a fire from oxygen and the thoughts apparently desist. Some say meditation helps with this. Early days for me though!
hi ya all, just wanting to get out of my state of lone suffering and get some light from fellow OCD community. i am on my medication right now. here from where i am, treatment is just medication with no therapy. it's a kind of social taboo here.
did you go throught cbt? I'm trying to do small exposures at home on my own. Also I tried medicine in the past with limited results. I haven't tried what you're on though. Do you think it's ok to do exposures at home without a professional? I'm not in therapy.
Ha - yeah it has a lot of Farside cartoons in it. Love those. So did you manage to adopt the approach in the book and did it do any good? I'm still reaidng it - ironically it's slow going because of the OCD!
I have OCD and when I read that OCD is a lifelong condition my heart broke. But I guess like you said, its just an ugly part of me. You just got to accept it, embrace it. I always wonder whats its gonna be like if I dont have OCD though.
Another way I'm fighting OCD is by becoming aware of how it's making me feel when I get it bad, or whenever. I convinced myself that I don't like feeling anxious and my chest being tight and affecting my health. I'm over that. This seems to help. Also, as hard as it may be, we must STOP our OCD rituals. Take little steps at first. We must re-teach our brains.
Thats the thing, the thoughts+rituals (and some people only have the thoughts) are hurting you more than sitting with the anxiety of being contaminated/unsure/scared of something. So fight the thoughts+rituals by telling them bring it on I'll live with you and I think it gets easier and easier.
Hey there, glad you are better.. and handling it. I used to also have severe ocd... but i disagree with you as i know im healing from it. there are stories, and testimonies, of people who completely healed. I know this is not.. what mainstream, or psychiatry teaches..a s they often have an agenda.. of staying in business.. but anyone who says someone can't heal.. has an agenda. this may have been what u have been told, but I am healing.. with faith. in Jesus.. and being delivered from it u can
i commented on this video about 3 years ago. when scrupulousity and ocd was driving me mad. i did a lot of self help. tried everything in the book. and prayed about it. everything helped but i think one thing that really went a long way in helping me was just fighting through to ignore the spike and not do whatever ritual comes to mind. ignore it a few times no matter how difficult it is and it will begin to be easier to ignore.
3 years later and thank God i am almost 100 % over this ocd monster. :D
Thank u that helped a lot.
I agree with you...it works
TheLordsFlower trust me it works....just fight the urge, ignore it like your life depended on it and in a day or 2 your brain would forget about it
Can you tell me what your rituals were? You know how you HAVE to do a ritual in order to move on. I know I can ignore it but what about the anxiety and stress it brings after? Because the main reason we do the ritual is to lower the anxiety. So if I ignore the ritual what shall I do next??
You are a wise person beyond your years. If you don't mind me asking you, do you have the rituals or thoughts? I have suffered since I'm 13 and didn't know what it was until I went to my therapist a few years ago about my thoughts. Channels like yours and Ali Greymond help a lot. I consider myself on recovery, but occasionally get a spike. Thank yoo.
I almost beat OCD everything that we have to do is to ignore the thoughts and just move forward also i think gym is helping a lot :)
God will help us
alen halilagic lets make talks?
horse stance has helped me a little to create balance and stay calm
Pray for me friend
Same Im experiencing POCD and I felt so horrible for the past month
But its better.Im nowhere near recovery but I AM a lot better
I want to goto the gym again
God will help us .
@@menace2societies we can talk.
Whenever I feel things are getting too hard for me with OCD, I come back to watch this video. Hope you're living a full and happy life now. And thank you so much for the inspiration and company through the years.
Resisting OCD is like like jumping in a cool pool. It's cold at first and you really want to get out, but once you are in there for a few minutes you don't notice it and the urge to act out the OCD becomes weaker and weaker. The key is to not "legitimize" the "spike" (negative re-accruing thought) by acting out the manifestations or mental patterns. This is the only way to cure OCD. I had it for 30 years and once I put this to practice, I was cured!
Sometimes I get paranoid that God wants me to do something like pray and say thank you before I watch a video or do anything, but I'm starting to think that the enemy has used OCD against me. Thank you for this video, Praise the LORD!!! Hallelujah!! I think I can finally be free of this pain by just trusting God, and not getting so worked up over my weird obsessions. Idk man, you just gotta keep it real like you said in this video. Thanks man! Praise God!!
Finally someone who makes sense because they've experienced it
I can relate to this quite a bit. Mindset makes a big difference, and it's amazing how much control it can get if you let your OCD take control of you. But once you learn to accept things as is (not approve, just accept) and realize that your OCD isn't what controls you and thoughts are just thoughts, you become a lot happier. Diet, exercise, sun exposure, and relaxation techniques, all make a huge difference.
Thanks for the video. Some good pointers here.
I had OCD and it went away completely. Sure, I still had negative thoughts about what used to really bother me, but its unreasonable to expect such an experience to leave you completely. Its like having a car accident, it will affect the rest of your life, but you wont feel like youre being hit forever. I said my OCD went away and it did, for about 2 years. But it came back much worse and by now a much more prolonged time. Im really struggling right now. But I do believe it can go away "completely".
+J583 Sorry to hear that. What are your compulsions if you dont mind me asking?
j583 , yes, that's correct, it is completey curable. Just have to know what's really going on in the mind.
I am on the same boat as you are / were. I had OCD when I was in 10th grade, it lasted for 2 years, and then went completely away for couple of years. When I say "it completely went away", I don't mean the thoughts, but the anxiety in response to those thoughts. I was able to treat those thoughts as just another random thought and could easily let go off it.
I have a different OCD now, it has lasted longer and seems more difficult to cope up with (Everything seems "more difficult" when you are actually going through it). I seem to have partially been able to alter my response but I still get occasional spikes that eats up few hours of my day and makes me feel low.
Suffering from OCD is like carrying 100 pounds of unnecessary weight in your mind, when my first OCD got over, my head felt extremely light, it was as if the weight was finally taken off. I used to be happy for no reason. It was an amazing feeling. Unfortunately, It lasted only for couple of years before I was hit by another OCD.
But I guess, my first experience has given me a lot of confidence that this mental disease can be conquered. I am hell bent to get the fucking thing out of mind and feel 100 pounds lighter again.
Prashant Barnawal You’ll Definitely get through this man Wishing You The Utmost Best 👍🏽👍🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
hope that you overcome the OCD!
i don't feel any ocd and feels like i never had it.....i forget i had ocd. Amazing.
it comes it goes. I love when it goes too
Congratulations :(
Denise Guay how u beat it
I got unlucky and got it twice. Once when I was a child maybe around 8. Thankfully, after around 2 months, it just disappeared and I barely even thought about it. Now, 10 years later, it popped again (Tho the thought was completely different and so dark I can't even say it). It almost got the better of me and I almost ended myself. Thankfully, I pushed on. Two days ago, I learned that what I had when I was 8 was ocd too, and it gave me a huge motivational boost. If I beat it once, then I can and will beat again. Now, just 2 days later, it's almost over and I feel like when it will be, I'll barely remember this. This year it will be gone, I have faith.
@@mars4105holy shit your situation is literally identical to mine
yes, exactly! Train your mind to think positively. Do what works best for you and day by day you will worry less about your negative thoughts and problems. And good for you, focusing on the beauty of the world to live in the moment!
I'm lucky to have gotten it for only a year, unlike some unlucky people...
You just made my day man. You are a brave soul. Keep it up :D
good for u^^ur story of overcoming OCD really gives every ocd sufferer and their families hope..
Thanks for the video, I have had OCD for 17 years, and it is fucking hell.... The only thing I didn't agree with is that this is a life long condition... I believe people can cure themselves somehow from OCD....
Yeath I think people can cure themselves of OCD. The only thing that worked for me is ERP, forcing myself to intentionally do things that trigger my ocd and keep moving forward with my day without giving into a compulsion. It's not easy but it's very effective at decreasing your anxiety in the long term.
TheUsualSuspect77 yess
Part of why it is staying in your mind is because you're most likely placing seriousness with your OCD. If you view it as important, you mind will likely keep hold of it. Also try to put you life in front of your OCD. Acceptance of your symptoms will help to push you forwards in recovery. Seeing a therapist who specialises in in OCD also increases the chances of recovering too. The best self help book I know is "Brain Lock" by Jeffrey Swartz. Lastly, OCD is chronic in the sense that it will have the potential to show you a new OCD symptom at some points in the life. But you have the option of mindfulness to just let that thought/feeling/urge to go away. Everyone gets these random symptoms (even those without OCD), but they don't place importance on it. You essentially have to just push the OCD away and trust in your mind. Also if you don't do any compulsions/rituals, over time it will dissipate. What makes the OCD go away for good is long-term mindfulness over a year to a year and a half of allowing any OCD to be present at will, but also then shifting your attention to anything you want to do in life. For some people recovery can be a quick as within a month. But don't set a time to recover but, but let your mind heal as it goes. I had severe OCD almost 24/7 for 3 months, then every now and then for 9 months for a year and I recovered. What I'm saying is that no matter how severe it is, its possible to recover. Its hard to do, but again its possible to recover for everyone. Hope that helps.
They can learn how to manage it ..but cure it .. never
@@oumaymaelmelhaoui3624 It can be cured, it has for me. ERP therapy (exposure response prevention), or essentially not performing the compulsions but allowing ourselves to feel the underlying emotions as they arise, and peak in intensity, was what healed me. It took a few sessions. But it is possible. Give up the fight, it's okay.
THANK YOU!!!!!! im 33 and did intensive out patient therapy. thank you for making this video. there are so many people who need help!!! its no different then going to the dr for an infection. when people need medical help they should know its out there, and it DOES GET SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!! stay strong everyone!!
Erin Brown what the trick to get better
All the best to you, Erin!!
Thanks for your story man! Been struggling lately and recently got a full diagnosis, but have been getting some great help on how to deal with it!
Good stuff mate. In the end no matter what the ocd(i have most of em) the problem/solution can all be traced back to how we respond to our thoughts/feelings.Yes ocders might have their brains sending off false alarms or are bombarded with unwanted thoughts more than most people but this is in our favor coz it makes us more inclined to become aware of the relationship between our thoughts/beliefs and our behaviours so as to stop our suffering.True Freedom is the end of mental slavery.Peace.
I admire your mentality. It is this kind of optimistic thinkings that can help people overcome many struggles in life. Thank you for sharing.
I love how you call it retraining your brain. I realize that I'm getting an intrusive thought that really isn't something I need to be worrying about and I ignore it. I have gotten a lot better and I'm on a low dose of medication when I use to be on a ton of antianxiety meds. In two years of self talks, it helps tremendously.
You're such a beauty, I love you.
Good for you, man, keep up the good work.
Thanks man you're brilliant, I can totally relate with your experience!
I currently have OCD conditions, and I act out on OCD conditions about a year before I had been made aware that I have OCD about a month ago. I have been stressing out more than I've ever stressed. This video has helped me coped with OCD, and thank you for this video.
To me you are among one of the bravest a human can be. Normal people will never understand the way it feels to have this. Thank you for your words, if you could please make an update video I would greatly appreciate it. Just know every view you get is potential to help change someone’s life.
Amazely lets talk about it?
Man, thank you for the tips, they really helped me. Take care, God bless you!
Rafael Lopes lets help each other!
You remind me so much of myself. The way you talk and act is really similar to me. Glad to hear you overcame it!
Hi John,
Thanks for dropping some knowledge. I've had OCD most of my adult life... was also on Celexa, for two years, but stopped taking it because it kept interfering with my sleep. I agree OCD seems to be a chronic condition (at least in my experience). I have ups and downs with the disorder, but I've found the most important ingredient for success is learning how to be non-reactive toward the intrusive "OCD" thoughts/urges. I admire your positive attitude/outlook... Peace! - Rich
John! Thank you so much for this I literally have been learning to laugh at these intrusive thoughts that I have been so scared of previously. It's irrational thoughts and fears that I would NEVER do which causes me and many others to psych ourselves out creating panic. Its really strange thinking that your mind has a section of its own makeup its just up to you to depict the true thoughts and feelings vs. the self torment in which your mind has learned to hold onto these thoughts, because being a human in society you want to justify everything. BUT! that's the thing you DO NOT!! have to justify a thought because (things that pop up into your head Do not cause a feared action which is the TRUE fear) The TRUE FEAR is that these thoughts will somehow trigger an action to make us something we are not which is why its like a scary movie you create in your mind and your the main character. I feel like many people have learned this anxiety and our minds have almost mimicked that release of the chemical (cortisol) which is the stress chemical that is released every-time these thoughts occur, it triggers that so your brain will replicate that same phenomenon because your trying to figure out why a thought created such an intense feeling, thoughts that release this cortisol will trick the brain and the brain will feel the need to conquer or figure out something. people who smoke cigarettes, marijuana, etc. drink alcohol regularly and or other substance regularly often get anxiety disorders it the name of the game. its like here's what you get for falling into temptation! I do not feel like medications truly fix the problem but only temporarily hide the problem. It is important to keep your mind clear by eating healthy exercising practice being MINDFUL not ( mind=full ) Also its important to realize that these thoughts wont ever truly go away until those thoughts truthfully don't effect you anymore. so instead of freaking out looking for re-assurance, breathe realize that this is a part of your OCD be happy you recognize it and pat yourself on the back because you didn't do the stupid crazy worst case scenario that you keep letting torcher your mind lol . prayer and meditation really helps also because it brings an acceptance and contentness,People with OCD and anxiety need to realize their brains are working on an over drive and it is not fair to your brain and body to work that hard over pointless exhausting thoughts. believe me I have been there and I just want to leave this comment showing that I also have and am continuing to let go of these irrational fears.
thats good.
Hi John, the most important is that since the first video, you were already transmitting good vibe even when you were reporting your fight. I have this same battle, and I believe that even if you are or were beating HOCD and you are able to keep the good vibe, you are already a complete man.
Thank you John for the post on OCD.
Hi John, I googled some self-help about OCD and I watched your video and I think that the OCD you have is exactly like my own - in my case I recall conversations again and again. I beleive that your advice works in that if you simply rationalise it and label this as OCD and go back through your thought process to find out what triggered it. Then you gradually try to eliminate it by stop thinking about it as important and minimise it's importance in your mind. Well done mate!
Thanks for the video. Especially for reminding people that OCD is a medical condition like diabetes and it helps to take medicine for it.
Thank you so much for posting this!
Happy for u dude. what works for me that I increase the spike, I.e if I have an intrusive though then I multiply it. This works because ur not doubting the thought, u just accept it and then move on. Also initially bombarding or exposing ur brain with the things is also very helpful.
Great video, very helpful, thanks. Hope your life gets better and better!
❤️ your anxiety. Don’t fight it. You don’t need meds. If you have them that’s fine, but you can handle whatever comes your way.
🥂
I used to fantasize about blowing my head off with a shot gun all the time dealing with OCD. The only thing that helped me overcome my OCD was FORCING myself to stop doing my external compulsions (walking in and out of doors, doing things over and over a million times) and then doing ERP to deal with my remaining intrusive thoughts. I still have intrusive thoughts but there are a lot less of them and they give me very little anxiety now.
I think ERP is definitely something anyone with OCD should look into. It's difficult but very effective.
they should send all of us ocd people to mars :)
Why
That is . . . A really positive, & creative way of looking at it
The one and only best way to overcome Ocd is to fear nothing , just believe that what has happened has happened , but from this moment I will be positive and be kind towards people and remember believe in you and God,or stick to your loved ones as they would believe in you, as it supports us that someone is looking after us. All this will help, I'm saying from my personal experience.
I'll try this. I appreciate the advice.
Everything you said really hit home with me!
Hope you doing okay man, wherever you are
OMG! So nice of you to update us, handsome!!=)) You know what, being so far far away, I realize UA-cam is super fabulous!=D
It’s really good that OCD doesn’t bother you again=D, in fact I also had that shit 5 years ago, a gross thought of hurting my family which turned my life upside down. Anyway, it’s over too! Now I find that experience somehow strengthens me, sometimes I’d wonder…may be it is a gift?!! Crazy!.., I dunno, but of coz it still looks like an exact shit far more, haha!!=D
Stumbled on this video. Thanks for sharing I can totally relate. Good words of wisdom. :)
Make a video John, it is good to see an update from your mental health after some time.
I think you hit it right on. Life keeps rolling on .
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Thanks for posting this made me feel better
I’m so glad you got better and you’re feeling alive.
All of you with OCD, I hope you can find peace one day. What I found really a helps me is to let all thoughts into my head- just say that like an affirmation at times. And then forget you even have ocd! It’s a miracle sometimes, the way it works :)
Edit: A year after I wrote this comment, OCD was overcome. Exposure response prevention therapy (ERP) is the best way. I can't recommend it enough - to face our deepest fears is what sets us free. My beautiful souls, blessings to you. Blessings, find peace, may you set yourselves free. You are worthy.
Sorry for the different IDs by the way - I have no idea why but sometimes youtube switches with my google account.
Great - thanks for the encouragement. Need to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel and be patient by the sound of it. 1 year is good going - well done.
Great talk, great to hear from people with the same condition ..wondering how you're doing now?!
How I deal with my OCD is hypnosis. UA-cam had some great hypnosis videos at one time, but there is a few existing on here that really helps.
Any tips of good videos? Overcome ocd hypnosis I listened to, helps little bit.
Hey man just wanna know how you are now im struggling with it rn and it feels good to hear someone whos over it.
You are amazing thank you for sharing your story!!
Thank you for sharing your experience
Thank you for the upload JohnTheEng.
Just coming back here after beating Pure OCD. This was a blessing 2 years ago. Now new theme of OCD is back, I will say Peripheral OCD. Im ready for the battle
hey.i am 43 year old and used to have ocd when i was 22.it took a certain amount of toll but i am free from it now.i saw your video long time ago and now i am totally free from ocd.i do not take much of pills too.it just would go away as time passes by.sorry bout my english,cuz i am a japanese...but keep it up man.good luck.
civilrights, what did you do to get over OCD without taking pills?
Very inspirational... Just starting my ERP therapy... Really hope I'll get control over my ocd...
You are a brave soul man.Thanks for the encouragement.
I have ocd too but as long as i take my medication I only experience a little ocd. It's good you're taking your medication. I'm going to put this on my facebook.
Thanks man, that really helped me!
I know this is a very old video but I hope you see this, thank you man, and I hope you are living a great life, much love
brother if u have ever been free from ocd it never comes. .. if thougts comes u will laugh remembering the times when u have ocd
thank you so much for the advice :) i feel better already
Great video! Inspirational and true.
You can treat yourself! Just realised in every situation when u have something in your mind, If you will not close the door twice, something wrong will happen.
Try to say yourself!! IT's bulshit! And go close the door once and go! and do it in every situation.
It is helping me a lot!
you may not know this...so I am telling you :). you really make a difference, a positive one :) thank you :)
Hey man. As I watch you talk I feel like I am watching myself. I have OCD pretty bad. Your video helps even though I know everything you're saying. I like how you call them "Spikes" that is a good word for a compulsion. I would love to chat sometime.
I know I can deal with it, which is why I don't sometimes. It can be pretty exhausting to keep yourself in check all the time, sometimes I can't help but give in to it. Pretty much ignore the thoughts, do not emotionally react to them, everyone has weirdo thoughts every now and then (even normal people) so no reason to freak over them. But ppl with OCD wonder about why they think those types of things & are scared they can't control it-which perpetuates it. So...ignore it like the guy said.
This is exactly right. The almost impossible part is to ignore the thoughts and not to act out on the compulsion. Easier said than done. What medication was effective for you?
I love you!
your video inspires me not to give up.!
best wishes from Belarus!
Настасья Ермолаева hows your health now?
thank you i needed this so much right now :(((
Cho CaMon lets help each other!
I like your honestly! ;) Good job :)
perfectionism is a symptom if OCD, do you experience that at all?
Yes :)
OCD has many symptoms
I have kinda weird OCD whereas my irrational brain thinks I will be looking like this person if I see him/her by my eyes wherever it is, TV, cellphone, in person.
can we have groupchats?
Your video gives me hope. But it just seems like I with my OCD will never be able to achieve the level you have. I live with my parents at 23 years old. I have no job. I'm treated like a little princess. I just can't see myself getting a job.
Don't try to rush your self. Age is but a number.
AL E
Thank you, good sir
I'm actually a girl. I'm allison but go by al.
+Maria “TrulyBeautiful” W. If you're getting treated medically and psychologically you should be in a better than that.
+Shani LeMeow SSRI"S don";t work
theraphy CT its best way
meds only mask it for a awhile but the benzo's help
Thanks man I'm almost over it because of you
thank you for this video.
Thank you I have daily struggles with this bs and I want to live without it the problem is every little thing I do OCD makes it feel like it will have life long impacts and I am ready to move on
lets help fight this irrational brain! talk?
Dealing with a lot of stress that triggered ocd which was gone for many years. Feels bit over whelming but sure it will improve as things settle. Do u find stress triggers yours. Thanks for the positive message and encouragement
OCD is so hard to live with. I was only diagnosed a couple of months ago but it's still getting rough, mainly because I haven't been getting CBT or ERP therapy, just meds and talk therapy.
+Anthony Di Francesco CBT works man, statisticly best resultes with meds and CBT. Do it. Worth everything
Hey how r u now?
Excellent video. I have scrupulosity (a religious form of OCD) and you are so right. The challenge is letting the spike come and not reacting to it.
My dear friend has this I love him and he tells me he wishes he could just forget the last couple of years of his life as it's changed him forever.
Great for you! Im kind on the same path that you are right now! I like you said dont pay attention to it! God bless!
thanks so much.
@JohnTheEng Wow!! It sounds really wonderful!!!=D yes, HK maybe less so as everything here is more densely packed, but sadly people here use energy rather recklessly..., like we've serious light pollution in the city because of the over-bright billboards & it actually affects the sleeping quality of residents around=(… I’m lucky as my home is right next to a hill=)
So I think your fabulous & meaningful vision gets very well with HK situation too!=D omgomg…you’re so cool!!=D
Thanks for sharing this. It helps. Do you have a website or other internet presence outside of this channel?
Hope your still doing well 🙏♥️
I can't believe no-one even replied to your comment. I'm new to all this but am reading a book called "Brain Lock" which advises(just as they did in counselling) to try a 4 step approach which roughly translates to identifying your obsessions, labelling them as such, and completely stopping the physical/mental rituals that would normally follow. Then over time it's like starving a fire from oxygen and the thoughts apparently desist. Some say meditation helps with this. Early days for me though!
Thank you.
hi ya all, just wanting to get out of my state of lone suffering and get some light from fellow OCD community. i am on my medication right now. here from where i am, treatment is just medication with no therapy. it's a kind of social taboo here.
Very good video bro this helped me
Nice vid man
thanks man good stuff ,grant.
did you go throught cbt? I'm trying to do small exposures at home on my own. Also I tried medicine in the past with limited results. I haven't tried what you're on though. Do you think it's ok to do exposures at home without a professional? I'm not in therapy.
You can actually do it without medication! It's a little harder I'm sure, but you can do it.
Great video btw. This kid is a star.
Ha - yeah it has a lot of Farside cartoons in it. Love those.
So did you manage to adopt the approach in the book and did it do any good? I'm still reaidng it - ironically it's slow going because of the OCD!
I have OCD and when I read that OCD is a lifelong condition my heart broke. But I guess like you said, its just an ugly part of me. You just got to accept it, embrace it. I always wonder whats its gonna be like if I dont have OCD though.
Another way I'm fighting OCD is by becoming aware of how it's making me feel when I get it bad, or whenever. I convinced myself that I don't like feeling anxious and my chest being tight and affecting my health. I'm over that. This seems to help. Also, as hard as it may be, we must STOP our OCD rituals. Take little steps at first. We must re-teach our brains.
Thats the thing, the thoughts+rituals (and some people only have the thoughts) are hurting you more than sitting with the anxiety of being contaminated/unsure/scared of something. So fight the thoughts+rituals by telling them bring it on I'll live with you and I think it gets easier and easier.
Hey there, glad you are better.. and handling it. I used to also have severe ocd... but i disagree with you as i know im healing from it. there are stories, and testimonies, of people who completely healed. I know this is not.. what mainstream, or psychiatry teaches..a s they often have an agenda.. of staying in business.. but anyone who says someone can't heal.. has an agenda. this may have been what u have been told, but I am healing.. with faith. in Jesus.. and being delivered from it u can