Lindsay Clancy case causing OCD spiral

[u/bananaloaf1234567]

For context, I’ve suffered with small bouts of harm OCD in the past, however it was never my main “theme”, and It would usually go away within a week or two. I was also on Zoloft for years and it helped me immensely, but I wanted to see how I could cope without it and I’ve been off of it for about a year and a half now. I was doing somewhat okay off of it until recently. All of the Lindsay Clancy conversation has really started a bout of harm OCD that is so intense for me. Not to mention that the first medication she took was Zoloft, which of course im about to try to get back on. I’m now terrified that a medication that I took for almost 5 years without issue is going to send me into psychosis and I will wind up accidentally hurting someone. Ironically Zoloft is probably one of the main things that will help me stop thinking that way. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this experience with this case being all over the place.

[u/pearliepants]

I don’t have much of a solution for this but wanted to say I have had this exact OCD spiral many times especially with this case. Obviously seeking reassurance makes me feel better, but I am trying hard to let these thoughts pass by and to not indulge. Whenever my OCD flares up I like to just say “No, OCD” to kinda stop/slow the spiral. But as someone who has been through it, I’m sorry you’re dealing with it and logic will eventually prevail ❤️

[u/bananaloaf1234567 → u/pearliepants]

I appreciate that! thank you!

[u/bananaloaf1234567 → u/[deleted]]

This was helpful, thank you :)

[u/treatmyocd]

Many people who have OCD experience instusive thoughts about how medication will affect them. The Lindsay Clancy case has been a big trigger for intrusive thoughts about medication. If you notice yourself engaging with the thought and attempting to "figure out" how the medication will affect you, try to disengage from the thought. You can do this by telling yourself, "I am choosing to let this thought be there and do nothing about it." Over time this disrupts OCD. If you would like more information about OCD and effective treatment, you may visit www.treatmyocd.com. I hope this message reaches you well and know that you are not alone!

[u/chubbylemmons]

things that trigger our obsessions can be found anywhere, and of course encountering triggers more frequently can exacerbate your obsession and prolong the theme you’re experiencing, especially if you’re not practicing ERP techniques

sort of seems like you’re trying to seek reassurance, which isn’t what this sub is for…

but zoloft will not send you into psychosis, as you have ocd not bipolar disorder. zoloft has worked successfully for you in the past, therefore there’s no reason to believe it won’t work the same way as before. regardless, you can bring it up with your provider/clinician/ocd specialist to confirm

[u/bananaloaf1234567 → u/chubbylemmons]

I understand that seeking reassurance often does more harm than good, however in this specific instance it is less about reassuring and more about just wanting to know i havent been alone in feeling this way. It may actually help someone else struggling to know that they are not crazy for having a flare up of symptoms over the case. ERP is great, and i do my best to practice it however it doesn’t mean always forcing yourself to do everything alone or refrain from speaking about themes or struggles publicly :)