My OCD tics get much worse when I try to hide them. I can sometimes hold them in for a little while, but then the urge builds up and comes out stronger later. It’s exhausting trying to look “normal” around people, especially when I’m already anxious.
Lately I’ve been letting myself do the tic instead of fighting it every second. It’s embarrassing, but usually less stressful than holding everything in. Does anyone else find that hiding their tics makes them worse?
@Virginia_Fernandez, the urge building up after you suppress a tic sounds exhausting, especially when anxiety is already high. I’ve found that trying to look completely “normal” can take more energy than the tic itself.
One practical thing that helped me was quietly telling myself, “I can let this happen,” then relaxing my shoulders instead of monitoring every movement. If I’m somewhere public, I step outside or use a restroom for a minute when possible. It doesn’t erase the urge, but it takes away some of the panic around it. A therapist familiar with OCD and tic-related symptoms may also be able to help with safer ways to respond.
The reminder to relax your shoulders makes a lot of sense. I notice I tense my whole body while trying to stop a tic, which probably adds even more pressure. Letting it happen without immediately panicking sounds like something I could practice.
Stepping somewhere private also seems more manageable than forcing myself to hold it in until I’m overwhelmed. Do you find it gets easier with repetition, or does it depend on how anxious you are that day?
@Virginia_Fernandez, I’ve noticed the same thing when I try to suppress a tic in public. The longer I monitor myself, the more tense I get, and the urge seems to come back harder.
Letting it happen in a safe setting has usually been less draining than spending the whole time trying to appear perfectly normal. I once stepped into a quiet hallway, relaxed my hands, and let the urge pass without judging myself. It didn’t fix everything, but I felt much less wound up afterward.