Stress Center Peer Support

Hi friends. I am reading Lucindas book on attacking anxiety.

In it, she describes how she had scary obsessive thoughts. That is OCD, as I have OCD with scary obsessive thoughts.

I was suprised that OCD is not mentioned in the book. I know that anxiety/OCD go together, but, it is confusing me now, is it OCD or anxiety?

Thanks in advance =)

I hope someone may be able to help

Well I don't know if I have an answer but I'll tell you my thoughts. I too have OCD and anxiety. It's both. I thought for a long time that my anxiety caused me to do things and think things compulsively. But now it seems for me that my OCD causes my anxiety. Example when leaving my house did I lock the door? Well check it about 5 times before you can be sure its locked and of course by then your anxious. I think it a vicious circle. LOL

Melissa,

I too suffer from the scary thought part of OCD. This is referred to as "Pure O", in other words the OCD without the CD part.

Lucinda had "Pure O" as well. The scary thoughts. The anxiety created by a life situation, marriage, baby etc, can start the bad habit of "Pure O". The cycle continues when we worry about our own thoughts.

We have started a daily newsletter for other Pure "O" people on here. We use the PM feature to email other members here on Lucinda's site.

You will meet others just like yourself and we focus on encouraging each other and kicking the bad habit of obsessive scary thoughts.

PM me if you are interested.

It is very common for people with OCD to have panic/anxiety attacks. It is equally true that people with anxiety/panic attacks have obsessive scary thinking. They pretty much go hand in hand. There are always exceptions but this is what is common. The treatment and exercises used for one will benefit the other as well.

yeah, i agree with Zoe.

my panic attacks happened in march of 08. through the working of this program, the panic has stopped, and become more of a mild form of generalized anxiety.

yesterday at my doctors office, while there for a thyroid checkup, my doctor remarked how my anxiety appears to be a separate issue (from my thyroid), and that a 3rd issue may be at work here, and that is slight OCD.

Now, i am not in any way compulsive. I simply don't nor never have done any of the compulsive things. but I would have to admit to being "Pure O" at times in my life and certainly with negative things or really stressful events where the outcome means alot to me.

So, with that discussion i came home and finally figured out what may actually be "driving" my anxiety in the first place: my perfectionism and obssessiveness over negative things.

i need to learn to 'let it go'.

Melissa, As long as I can really remember, I've had anxiety however, it wasn't until about two years ago that I started really noticing "OST's" or Pure O. Now when I look back on it, I've had my bouts with it...even as a little child. So I guess the question is "what came first, the chicken or the egg?".. Mine go hand in hand. So with that in mind, I have to agree with Boon.
Take care and God bless
Robin

Hey, Mel!

OCD is classified as an anxiety disorder. It's one type among many, such as GAD, panic disorder, PTSD, etc. So anxiety definitely accompanies it.

Genie

Hi friends, Thank You so much for your posts. I agree with you all and it does make more sense now.

I am so greatful for this community online!

Hi,
I'm new to the community but have had Lucinda's program for nearly ten years. I am interested in your "Pure O" newsletter. I, too, developed scary thoughts when I first began having panic attacks. I was too scared to let friends and family know about the anxiety and I didn't know what was wrong with me at the time either. So like many others, I sat around fearing insanity. Of course now I know what was going on, but those first associations I made with my initial anxiety still seem to creep in to my life any time I am battling any sort of physical sensation that triggers those anxiety memories. I am now going off of Effexor XR after taking it for about 6 1/2 years. The last two weeks have been miserable. I would appreciate any encouragement. I would like to stay off medication if possible, so I am really trying to weather this storm. Have any of you experienced similar scenarios?