Hi.
I have been trying to live with constant intrustive OCD thoughts for years. I also suffer from GAD and some depression as well.
It seems like when I have a bit of depression, the OCD is stronger. Which is how I'm feeling now. It's awful. If the GAD isn't bothering, it seems like the OCD starts ramping up ...
Most of my adult life, I have pretty much avoided getting invovled in personal relationships, trying to switch careers, and have pretty much ruled out having a family as I don't want to pass this gene on ....
Anyone else feel this way?
Any suggestions as to what has worked for them for OCD?
I'm unable to tolerate a lot of the SSRI's.
I'm struggling @ the moment so any encouragement and suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Trying to cope with OCD - Help Please ....
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Guest
Hello Lije,
I've had problems with OCD running rampant in my brain too!
There is a way to kinda help but has to be done very often! when you have a OCD moment, Think of well Say if it's a song in your head , try and think of Donald Duck singing it.I think the trick on this one is not to take it too seriously, I have bad OCD tho too and it comes when stress hits,soo I read, and I've tried this and it has worked for me,
I hope this helps in some way
Kristie
I've had problems with OCD running rampant in my brain too!
There is a way to kinda help but has to be done very often! when you have a OCD moment, Think of well Say if it's a song in your head , try and think of Donald Duck singing it.I think the trick on this one is not to take it too seriously, I have bad OCD tho too and it comes when stress hits,soo I read, and I've tried this and it has worked for me,
I hope this helps in some way
Kristie
Lije-
I have a lot of OCD intrusive thoughts...First of all how long have you been dealing with them, when did you strat the program and what are some of your thoughts? PM me so that i can see if we have some of the same thoughts and I can tell you what I did with mine, and am still working on. How long have you been in the program? Also, I am UNABLE to take SSRI'S too, I know the feeling.......PM me and we will chat.
Patricia
I have a lot of OCD intrusive thoughts...First of all how long have you been dealing with them, when did you strat the program and what are some of your thoughts? PM me so that i can see if we have some of the same thoughts and I can tell you what I did with mine, and am still working on. How long have you been in the program? Also, I am UNABLE to take SSRI'S too, I know the feeling.......PM me and we will chat.
Patricia
"O God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek you;my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is BETTER than life,my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands." Psalms 63
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Guest
Hi Patricia.
I've had obsessions for appox. 15 years. They flip - they're usually the more agressive type and sometimes are totally non-sensical - they're so painful and upsetting. If you knew me personally, it's so polar opposite to who I am - I'm a very kind caring and gentle person....I think people would be very surprised I struggle with this as I hide it very well.
I'm just starting CD #3. I have listened to the scary thought CD a few times - which was reassuring.
What has been your experience with SSRI's in relation to side effects?
Patricia[/QUOTE]
I've had obsessions for appox. 15 years. They flip - they're usually the more agressive type and sometimes are totally non-sensical - they're so painful and upsetting. If you knew me personally, it's so polar opposite to who I am - I'm a very kind caring and gentle person....I think people would be very surprised I struggle with this as I hide it very well.
I'm just starting CD #3. I have listened to the scary thought CD a few times - which was reassuring.
What has been your experience with SSRI's in relation to side effects?
Patricia[/QUOTE]
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Guest
Lije-
My side effects were strange to be honest with you. Some got me angry, others made me totally out of it, others, severe stiffness, and one of them gave me suicidal thoughts in which i never had. Freaked me out so bad. thats how the OCD manifested first it was just keeping everything in order, repeating myself, then after the one medication that gave me suicidal thoughts - NOW they are aggressive, upsetting thoughts of hurting others, myself, absessiong about mental ilnessess WHAT IF I GET THIS WHAT IF I GET THAT....you know the vicious cycle. Seems as if I get rid of one thoufht and then another sneaks right in. Drives me banannas......Then when i don't get scared of the thought anymore, then I wonder why am i not afraid of it, does this mean i will act on it, it drives me absolutely insane at times.....Then i get angry, sad, anxious, etc. It upsets me very much too, because I don't know where the thoughts come from the majority of the time. So you just started the program recently too, eh? I have had it 6 weeks now. some moments i am ok, but its even hard for me to watch TV at times. Make sense?
My side effects were strange to be honest with you. Some got me angry, others made me totally out of it, others, severe stiffness, and one of them gave me suicidal thoughts in which i never had. Freaked me out so bad. thats how the OCD manifested first it was just keeping everything in order, repeating myself, then after the one medication that gave me suicidal thoughts - NOW they are aggressive, upsetting thoughts of hurting others, myself, absessiong about mental ilnessess WHAT IF I GET THIS WHAT IF I GET THAT....you know the vicious cycle. Seems as if I get rid of one thoufht and then another sneaks right in. Drives me banannas......Then when i don't get scared of the thought anymore, then I wonder why am i not afraid of it, does this mean i will act on it, it drives me absolutely insane at times.....Then i get angry, sad, anxious, etc. It upsets me very much too, because I don't know where the thoughts come from the majority of the time. So you just started the program recently too, eh? I have had it 6 weeks now. some moments i am ok, but its even hard for me to watch TV at times. Make sense?
Hello LiJe.
Try not to listen to the cds out of line because you may get confused. Lucinda says this in the instructions. I know that you feel desperate to get better and that is normal, but wait until you get to that cd, you'll get more from the program this way. You can come on here and get advice while you're beginning but Lucinda said in the program that she gives you information when you're ready for it. For example if you haven't learned the third cd, you won't be ready for the fourth. so don't skip around to different lessons.
DeeDee.
Try not to listen to the cds out of line because you may get confused. Lucinda says this in the instructions. I know that you feel desperate to get better and that is normal, but wait until you get to that cd, you'll get more from the program this way. You can come on here and get advice while you're beginning but Lucinda said in the program that she gives you information when you're ready for it. For example if you haven't learned the third cd, you won't be ready for the fourth. so don't skip around to different lessons.
DeeDee.
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Guest
LiJe,
My heart goes out to you for dealing with this ugly form of anxiety for years.
Exposure therapy worked wonders for my friend. It is effective in treating obsessions. Exposure therapy involves repeatedly exposing people to the situations or people that trigger obsessions. Discomfort or anxiety gradually diminishes during repeated exposure.
Let me say that this treatment is extremely rough. My friend--under the guidance of an OCD specialist--made audio tapes describing hurting his wife (which was his worst scary thought.) He also held a sharp object to his wrist (since self-harm was his 2nd worst obsession.) He cried sometimes during the sessions and sometimes got a little depressed after a session, but he got through it. In fact at the time, 2003, he was considered the institute's most successful outpaitent patient.
EXPOSURE SHOULD BE DONE ONLY WITH A QUALIFIED THERAPIST WHO SPECIALIZES OR IS WELL-VERSED WITH OCD THOUGHTS.
These links might be a good start.
<A HREF="http://www.ocfoundation.org/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.ocfoundation.org/</A>
<A HREF="http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/r ... search.php" TARGET=_blank>http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/r ... rch.php</A>
<A HREF="http://www.4therapy.com/locator/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.4therapy.com/locator/</A>
My heart goes out to you for dealing with this ugly form of anxiety for years.
Exposure therapy worked wonders for my friend. It is effective in treating obsessions. Exposure therapy involves repeatedly exposing people to the situations or people that trigger obsessions. Discomfort or anxiety gradually diminishes during repeated exposure.
Let me say that this treatment is extremely rough. My friend--under the guidance of an OCD specialist--made audio tapes describing hurting his wife (which was his worst scary thought.) He also held a sharp object to his wrist (since self-harm was his 2nd worst obsession.) He cried sometimes during the sessions and sometimes got a little depressed after a session, but he got through it. In fact at the time, 2003, he was considered the institute's most successful outpaitent patient.
EXPOSURE SHOULD BE DONE ONLY WITH A QUALIFIED THERAPIST WHO SPECIALIZES OR IS WELL-VERSED WITH OCD THOUGHTS.
These links might be a good start.
<A HREF="http://www.ocfoundation.org/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.ocfoundation.org/</A>
<A HREF="http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/r ... search.php" TARGET=_blank>http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/r ... rch.php</A>
<A HREF="http://www.4therapy.com/locator/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.4therapy.com/locator/</A>
Originally posted by heisthegreatphysician:
Lije-
I have a lot of OCD intrusive thoughts...First of all how long have you been dealing with them, when did you strat the program and what are some of your thoughts? PM me so that i can see if we have some of the same thoughts and I can tell you what I did with mine, and am still working on. How long have you been in the program? Also, I am UNABLE to take SSRI'S too, I know the feeling.......PM me and we will chat.
Patricia
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Guest
Originally posted by interested:Originally posted by heisthegreatphysician:
Lije-
hello
I have a lot of OCD intrusive thoughts...First of all how long have you been dealing with them, when did you strat the program and what are some of your thoughts? PM me so that i can see if we have some of the same thoughts and I can tell you what I did with mine, and am still working on. How long have you been in the program? Also, I am UNABLE to take SSRI'S too, I know the feeling.......PM me and we will chat.
Patricia
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Guest
Originally posted by interested:Originally posted by interested:Originally posted by heisthegreatphysician:
Lije-
hello
I have a lot of OCD intrusive thoughts...First of all how long have you been dealing with them, when did you strat the program and what are some of your thoughts? PM me so that i can see if we have some of the same thoughts and I can tell you what I did with mine, and am still working on. How long have you been in the program? Also, I am UNABLE to take SSRI'S too, I know the feeling.......PM me and we will chat.
Patricia