When I think of ‘coping with something’, I think of ‘tolerating something’. The definition itself seems that way too, depending on your source. The meaning seems to vary from ‘tolerant’ to ‘conquering’. Seems like that is a lot of wiggle room there. Well, when it comes to coping with OCD, all of the varying definitions actually seem spot on now.
Because it does vary so much. Coping with OCD can range from tolerant to manageable to conquering. I feel exactly like this in my own recovery – I deal with each in phases. I would say this is true for long term recovery and dealing day to day. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an intricate beast. It is not one dimensional, nor is it stagnant. OCD evolves, even as we evolve in our coping strategies. You complex little bleeper… I see what you did there. Let’s level up our strategies then, you bleeping bleep bleep bleepster bleeper.
Phew… pardon my language there. Shall we? Level it up a notch?
Coping With OCD – Level Tolerant:
Please, when you read each section’s title, read it like a video game announcer would. I’m finding it more fun that way – “LEVEL TOLERANT”! And maybe add an echo to it as well.
Moving forward. Yes, exactly that, moving forward. That is the whole purpose of coping with OCD. No one who suffers from any mental illness wishes to stay stagnant, allowing the disorder to bleeping own them. We all want recovery of some degree. I would say tolerant was my first phase of recovery.
Alright OCD, get ready to be challenged. Whether it was the guilt portion of this disorder or the constant compulsive behaviors that would push the needle over into insanity. I would find a way to tolerate it, and not get so bent out of shape over it. Feeling guilty? Fine, I’ll eventually shake it, but yes I feel guilty. Might even feel guilty for something as simple as swearing.
Oops! There go the compulsive behaviors. That’s fine, it’s who I am. Just perform the compulsion and keep it moving. This level of tolerance helped me move on with just a few flicks of the light switch instead of hundreds. Minutes with my hand on the door knob instead of hours.
Alright, I’m coping, this is less stressful. Still stressing, but not so much compared to when it bleeping owned me. Oh, but it is complex. It has multiple layer. OCD will level up and catch on to your games.
So we too shall level up.
Coping With OCD – Level Manageable:
So… Did you read it like a video game announcer? “LEVEL MANAGEABLE” Rawr! Add in that echo, that echo.
What is level manageable when it comes to coping with OCD? Seems just like level tolerant? Yes and No. Management gets to make some decisions here. We’re not just at OCD’s beckon call at this level. We provide some resistance, offer up suggestions, but still playing nicely.
At level manageable, we’re calling OCD into our office to report back on some findings. Hey OCD, I called you in here today for some adjustments. You’re getting your job done, and so am I. I want to think a bit outside the box on this one though.
When that next intrusive thought comes through, you’re gonna want me to perform some ritual. Or maybe behave compulsively to undo that bad thought. I’m letting you know right now, that I’m going to just shake it off. Sure, my magical thinking will kick in overdrive, wanting me to overrule this decision. But I’m putting my foot down and seeing if I can manage it better.
At this level, we go back and forth. We stick to our guns, yet at times we give in, but we try. This level of coping with OCD is where we can certainly linger.
I say we level up though, because OCD is complex, and sure to do its own leveling.
Coping With OCD – Level Conquering:
Come on, you had to read that one with your conquering voice right? Of course, because we just leveled up. At this level of coping with OCD is where we are rewarded. Hard work pays off here.
I’ve said this before, and I’m saying it again. I used to always think “what if I never suffered from OCD?”. That type of thinking belongs in the lower levels of coping with OCD. Here, in the conquering level, our thoughts are more like “how will it feel to conquer OCD?”.
That question gives me the feels for reals. To conquer OCD, to stand up to OCD. I feel like we have this great opportunity to better ourselves conquering, then to have never suffered with it. Isn’t that right? Isn’t that fucking right? Oh my… I could scream right now at just the thought.
Adversity is a hard lesson, failure teaches us so much too. Come on OCDoers, this disorder tries to break us. It is teaching us something very valuable. Not while we suffer from it, but when we conquer. Show it who’s boss – You are, not your mental triggers.
It’s not bleeping easy. I mean, it’s not fucking easy. But it is necessary to be our best. I want to conquer OCD and I want you to as well.
Levels On The Daily:
Recovery takes effort and consistency. Where ever we are in our coping with OCD, it takes work. This work is often hard to judge progression because there is a lot of going back and forth. The failures are important too. That is normally how we get from one level to the other. The failure shows up and we force advancements to cope better.
These coping phases are achieved daily as well. Even those that are closer to conquering have moments of tolerance and manageable. OCD is multidimensional. If it weren’t, it probably wouldn’t be an issue. But it evolves as we evolve, making it an honorable foe. On the contrary, if we can flip this foe to one of our greatest allies, how great does that make us?
“Your strength doesn’t come from winning. It comes from struggles and hardship. Everything that you go through prepares you for the next level.” ~ Germany Kent. Read that quote again if you must – It is a gem.
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Let me know if you found this helpful. I am curious to hear your spin. Leave a comment or find me on Twitter @UghOCD or Instagram @brentleybigkid.
