How to manage OCD and anxiety?

Question

Hi. I would like to know if you can help me manage my anxiety and OCD. I generally have light OCD compulsions, like having all my pencils in a specific order or stuff like that, but when anxiety kicks in regarding some event like for example being mugged or being afraid o f a disease the my OCD gets really weird and I start checking symptoms every hour or I start bing afraid of people in the street and stuff like that.

I would go to a psychologist but right now I dont have the money for that, so I wanted to know if you know some strategies to control anxiety and OCD?

Thanks

JGF25 · Accepted Answer

There are a lot of things to try but I would first recommend two books to you. The first is The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free of OCD. the second is Self-Coaching by Joseph Luciani. The workbook will be very helpful I believe if you follow thru with the tasks. 

Here is a breathing technique I use when I get anxious because what happens is you start to hyperventilate without knowing you are doing it. You take a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for five seconds and count this out in your head, then let it all out through your mouth. Try this laying down at first with your hands on your stomach. You can do this on any situation and nobody will even notice. 

Checking is one where you just have to say enough. This is where the self coaching comes in. You think the thought, it causes anxiety, you check for reassurance, and then it starts all over again. So don't check. Think the thought, say not possible move on, and go and do some controlled breathing. Do not give into the impulse to check. 

These are all irrational thoughts and the sooner you can say WHATEVER to them the sooner they will go away.

hello91 · Answer

Thank you very much I will abolutely follow your advice.

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