FORUMS

Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

  • 47,612Members
  • 1,358,869Posts
  • 1,400,000Visitors
Events and updates

Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Welcome SANE Community 😊

On the 13th of April, we welcome ARCVic (The Anxiety Recovery Centre in Victoria) as our special guests, talking about living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Behind the Mask

'Wearing a mask' is something that many of here can relate to. Often for people with mental health concerns, there comes a time when wearing a mask and projecting to the rest of the world that we are okay becomes a part of our lives.

ARCVic described that for many people living with OCD, it can feel like living double lives; the life in public and the life behind the mask.

For Topic Tuesday in April, we are going behind the mask to explore living with OCD, what works for you, and where to seek support. We are joined by ARCVic's Peer Support Group Co-ordinator sharing his experience of OCD and his recovery journey.

You are welcome to bring questions, share your experiences and contribute your thoughts.



Please join us here on Tuesday the 13th of April 2021 from 7:00pm-8:30pm AEST to follow this conversation.

Want to receive a reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below.

___________________________________________________________________________________

I'm new here - what is this?

The event runs from 7:00pm-8:30pm AEST and is a live, facilitated Q&A style discussion with a special guest who is a subject matter expert. Each fortnight we focus on a different topic with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator, and joined by a Peer Support Worker. This discussion is open to both our lived experience and Friends Family and Carer's Forums.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Our text-based event takes place right here! As it is text-based, no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the newest comments (posts don't automatically load). The refresh button looks like this:

Keep an eye out for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post. We recommend using a desktop computer or laptop for the event for overall ease of use .

Throughout the session, the facilitator will post questions for the guest to answer, and you can provide your answer too. To contribute to the event, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong, and everyone is welcome to get involved!

If you can't make it to the live event, but are still interested in the topic, you can always read back through this discussion at a later time.

What time does this event start in my timezone?

  • AEST - 7:00pm
  • ACST - 6:30pm
  • WST - 5:00pm

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Forum Community Guidelines and FAQs.

Topic Tuesday discussions can cover some heavy topics. If you are feeling distress during this live discussion, there are support options available to you. You can start a new discussion on the forums and talk to other members, contact the SANE Help Centre on 1800 18 7263, or find crisis support options here.

103 replies

51 - 60 of 103
1...567...11

In response to: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

There seems to be a bit of a theme here with childhood trauma or just plain trauma leading to OCD and anxiety 😞

@Former-Member @Emelia8 @ARCVic

In response to: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

@NatureLover


@NatureLover wrote:

@ARCVic wrote:

I have learned to not feed into my thoughts


I would be interested to hear how you do that, Anu @ARCVic


What really helped me was when my therapist described my thoughts using an analogy of a stranger knocking-on the door. Now everytime I have an intrusive thought - think it's a stranger and I choose whether to let them enter. Previously I used to let them all in and they would all make themselves feel at home. Which would lead me down a spiral of anxiety, obsessions and compulsions.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Thank you for answering, Anu - wow. That's a great analogy. I would like to develop that for myself. @ARCVic

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

@
ARCVic
That is a good analogy. Something to put in my tool kit, and work with.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Ive got childhood trauma and rejection and abandonment from my parents.
my anxiety is huge

anyway doesn't matter

it's too late

damn everything

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Thanks Anu. Could you possibly share with us some other strategies that work for you to help manage OCD?

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

@BlueBay are you feeling safe tonight? Is the discussion causing you upset or distress?

And it does matter, very much.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

@Clawde thank you for clarifying. Yes, checking is very common however it's important to note that sometime checking behaviours and compulsions can be quite internal or can can occur within one's mind. My checking behaviours were quite visible to external people - which meant I had learnt to be extra secretive to hide my rituals (i.e. doing those behaviours after school, or once parents had gone to sleep etc...)

@Shaz51 I'm not sure whether there is a clear answer to whether OCD relaxes over time - it depends on the person I guess. For some it may, for other it may not.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

@BlueBay that feeling of rejection and abandonment really seems to harm people, including myself. It is strangely comforting to know I am not the only one.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // OCD: Behind The Mask // Tues 13th April, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

@NatureLover said ----- "There seems to be a bit of a theme here with childhood trauma or just plain trauma leading to OCD and anxiety "

my husband has had depression and anxiety and so many diagnosis all his life

and I was mentally and emotionally abused when young by my father @ARCVic , @Daisydreamer , @Former-Member

51 - 60 of 103
1...567...11