tw: mental health, anxiety i finally told my mom last night about all my mental health struggles around pregnancy, sex, etc. i’m 20, but telling my mom always feels like a weight off my shoulders. she’s going to help me find a counselor for my anxiety and potential OCD, and a new gyno to discuss things with. my pregnancy/health anxiety has become almost debilitating- i’ve cut my sex life down SIGNIFICANTLY. it doesn’t matter how perfect of a user i am, how many negative tests i get- im always convinced somethings wrong.. im just glad to be able to maybe get some relief. if anyone has any tips in the mean time, they’d be greatly appreciated.

Hi there, first of all good for you for telling your Mom. I know that must have been hard. I experience something similar. I have had OCD since I was really young and I am concerned about medical issues as well, specifically blood clots. I won’t get into it but something I do to calm myself down or cope with my OCD is journaling, talking to a trusted friend/family member who knows about my disorder and can help me, and trying to stop the obsessive thinking by distracting myself with something like colouring. AND the most challenging thing that I have learned to do is to tell myself it isn’t real. It’s so hard but sometimes it helps. Let me know if you have any questions! I’ve struggled with anxiety and OCD for 13 years.

I’ve found colouring helps me with anxiety and intrusive thoughts x

I don’t have much advice aside from journaling but you should be proud of yourself for opening up ❤️ well done

Therapist here! Congratulations on taking the first step to getting help. You can get through this and you don’t have to do it alone.