Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Thread starter KimDW
- Start date
icklemoley
Cathlete
Yep i know it. The touching of the bathroom light switch on and off and on and off (reason?) don't know why. I just think that if i don't something bad will happen. Sigh...it ain't fun, but lately its been much better. Sounds really scary of me to admit this on the open forum, but still ...
W x
W x
candi
Cathlete
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/HealthInformation/ocdmenu.cfm
It's an anxiety related disorder. I've attached the National Institute of Mental Health website. I find their information the
least biased.
When I suffered from anxiety problems in my 20's and 30's I had obsessive thoughts along with it. Mine went away after several years of talk therapy. Now I believe they use medication to treat the disorder.
HTH
It's an anxiety related disorder. I've attached the National Institute of Mental Health website. I find their information the
least biased.
When I suffered from anxiety problems in my 20's and 30's I had obsessive thoughts along with it. Mine went away after several years of talk therapy. Now I believe they use medication to treat the disorder.
HTH
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
OCD can take two forms. My daughter has more of the obsessions rather than the compulsions. She has thoughts which are the source of anxiety for her, but they don't go away. She had symptoms as early as 4, but we didn't see them for what they were. They flared up again at age 7, and then big time after the events of September 11. Apparently it's usual for childhood OCD to flare up after a traumatic event like that. She was misdiagnosed at age 7 with ADHD, but after researching it myself and speaking with her teachers, I never returned to that pyschologist. We didn't exactly see eye to eye to begin with, and her teachers didn't think she had ADHD. Of course, they didn't think of OCD either, but then my husband and I are both nurses and we just didn't make the connection. She was finally correctly diagnosed about three weeks after 9/11. She doesn't really have compulsions. Most of her disorder takes the form of obsessions. She's on Paxil, and we've been able to keep her at 20 mg a day. The highest safe dose I believe is 60 mg a day. With childhood it's a bit different than treating adults. From what I've read, children can grow out of it, or at least reach a point where they've learned to compensate. Depression often goes along with it because of the anxiety involved. Nik was depressed, but we couldn't see it because it was so insidious. Within two weeks of being on the Paxil, the first time I heard her singing in the shower again I sat on the floor and cried. I just hadn't realized how much unlike her self she had become. She has gained weight on the Paxil, and she still hasn't started her periods, but she's only 13, and her pediatrician seems to think her puberty isn't really delayed at all. We got lucky the first time around with the med, because I know some people can't tolerate SSRI's. Also, there was that series of studies that came out a couple years ago linking to Paxil to suicide in teens, but apparently those were teens being treated for depression, not OCD. In any case, we decided along with her psychiatrist and psychologist to keep her on the med because it's been such a miracle worker for her. Will she ever come off? I don't know. Basically they've told me they've taught her all the coping techniques they can, and it'll be up to her one day whether or not she wants to use them and try and wean herself off the med. But as a child, she simply doesn't have the resources at this point yet to fight this thing without chemical help. It's a biochemical disorder, so it made sense to me she would need the chemical adjustment, at least for now.
I hope this helps!!
Carol
I hope this helps!!
Carol
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
Wayne, it is scary. I watched my daughter for years go through the nightmares and the thoughts that wouldn't go away, and I didn't know what to do to help her, because I didn't understand what was happening to her. About a week and a half after the events here of September 11, 2001, she came to me and told me she was afraid to pass by the silverware drawer in the kitchen because she had thoughts of taking out a fork and hurting herself with it. That's what finally motivated me to take her back to another psychologist.
If you think that's what you have (and this bathroom light switch thing, coupled with the urinary problems you've been having lead me to believe you could be right on the money here!), please go talk to someone. There are effective ways to treat this, and you wouldn't have to suffer like this. I'm not trying to play psychologist, and I certainly am not qualified to make a diagnosis - especially over the Internet - but since OCD is an anxiety disorder, you could be right about this!!
I hope you take this post in the spirit in which it was written, as someone caring for another human being ...
Carol
If you think that's what you have (and this bathroom light switch thing, coupled with the urinary problems you've been having lead me to believe you could be right on the money here!), please go talk to someone. There are effective ways to treat this, and you wouldn't have to suffer like this. I'm not trying to play psychologist, and I certainly am not qualified to make a diagnosis - especially over the Internet - but since OCD is an anxiety disorder, you could be right about this!!
I hope you take this post in the spirit in which it was written, as someone caring for another human being ...
Carol
icklemoley
Cathlete
My rituals started years ago. With the kitchen oven (when I was about 11 years old). I would feel the need to check that it was off. But repeatedly I would check again and again and again… then the light switch, or placing things in the palms of my hands (nothing sexual!!!) in the right way. All I knew was that if I didn’t do it something bad would happen. And it scared me. It still does. Though I went cold turkey... and I don’t know how, I still do “odd” things and feel compelled to. So sad. I agree about the peeing. I think that one things leads to another and another and then one day … you’re buggered up. My life is very hectic and unsettled at the moment. And I keep praying that my peeing will get better, but praying to someone that isn’t listening.
Seems very weird saying all this out loud. Feeling like a complete basket case at times. But it’s me. Its part of me.
Thank you Carol. Thank you.
W x
Seems very weird saying all this out loud. Feeling like a complete basket case at times. But it’s me. Its part of me.
Thank you Carol. Thank you.
W x
Wayne:
you are certainly not a basket case. If you think YOU are, stick me at the top of the membership list. I certainly don't consider myself to be a basket case or a freak or anything. I had issues with OCD's when young, still have a compulsive personality and anxiety, panic disorder and depression. I think I'm perfectly sane and normal, just with a few brain chemistry imbalances sometimes that's all. Wherever you go there will be zillions of people like you and me and Carol's daughter. You may pass people by on the street and never know that they buy 10 cans of tomato soup every Wednesday, never 11 and never on a Tuesday.
I read an article last week in a women's magazine over here that made me think of you. It stated categorically that a symptom of anxiety disorder is constant peeing or feeling/fearing that you have to go. So, you need to ask for a referral to a psychologist and may be treated with an anti anxiety medication for a while to get this under control. And there's nothing to be ashamed of if you do. I take half a tablet of an antidepressant every day and feel myself again on it, and I have no intention of stopping any time soon.
I laugh and smile a hell of a lot more this year than I did last year, that's all I can say!
Hugs from me,
Clare
you are certainly not a basket case. If you think YOU are, stick me at the top of the membership list. I certainly don't consider myself to be a basket case or a freak or anything. I had issues with OCD's when young, still have a compulsive personality and anxiety, panic disorder and depression. I think I'm perfectly sane and normal, just with a few brain chemistry imbalances sometimes that's all. Wherever you go there will be zillions of people like you and me and Carol's daughter. You may pass people by on the street and never know that they buy 10 cans of tomato soup every Wednesday, never 11 and never on a Tuesday.
I read an article last week in a women's magazine over here that made me think of you. It stated categorically that a symptom of anxiety disorder is constant peeing or feeling/fearing that you have to go. So, you need to ask for a referral to a psychologist and may be treated with an anti anxiety medication for a while to get this under control. And there's nothing to be ashamed of if you do. I take half a tablet of an antidepressant every day and feel myself again on it, and I have no intention of stopping any time soon.
I laugh and smile a hell of a lot more this year than I did last year, that's all I can say!
Hugs from me,
Clare
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
Wayne, I agree with Clare - you are NOT a basket case. If this is indeed what you have, it's a biochemical disorder and it CAN be treated. You can get help for this! It's a disorder that very frequently goes undiagnosed because there's still (unfortunately!!) such a stigma attached to telling someone you feel things like this. Please talk to someone. You can get help for this, and then as you feel better, your life will fall back into place.
Carol
Carol
Hi Clare,
You made me smile! I think I'm as normal as normal gets despite my anxiety & depression problems. I sometimes have scary obsessive thoughts also, and started seeing symptoms of these things around preschool as Carol's daughter did. Despite my issues, I think don't think I'm a nutcase, just someone with messed up brain chemicals! Most people that find out I have these things going on are shocked. I like to be open with people about this because I think so many people suffer silently fearing that they will be labeled a freak or weirdo. I certainly felt that way for a while!
Wayne- you are by no means a candidate for the loony bin!
Gina
You made me smile! I think I'm as normal as normal gets despite my anxiety & depression problems. I sometimes have scary obsessive thoughts also, and started seeing symptoms of these things around preschool as Carol's daughter did. Despite my issues, I think don't think I'm a nutcase, just someone with messed up brain chemicals! Most people that find out I have these things going on are shocked. I like to be open with people about this because I think so many people suffer silently fearing that they will be labeled a freak or weirdo. I certainly felt that way for a while!
Wayne- you are by no means a candidate for the loony bin!
Gina
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
Thank you Gina! I'll tell her you said that. It really helps her when she hears others are out there like her. It makes her feel less "abnormal". OCD is one of those disorders they say is "silent", because people don't readily seek help for it. When you realize how many chemical reactions are going on in our bodies at any given time, it's a wonder any of them work in the right way all the time. I was very resistant to putting her on medication at first. I didn't want her labeled, but when I finally looked at the meds as helping balance the chemical disorder instead of as a "label", it helped me realize how much she needed it. If she had a medical condition like hypertension or insulin-dependent diabetes she'd need to take medication in order to survive, so why should a chemical imbalance in her brain be any different? It's not. I realize there are a lot of meds handed out to kids these days, which is why I'd encourage anyone to do some research first and ask a lot of questions before simply filling a prescription. The same goes for any of us as adults. The more we understand about a diagnosis and the ways in which it can be treated, the easier we can make a decision about the kind of treatment that is most comfortable to us.
Carol
Carol
icklemoley
Cathlete
Thanks everyone. I didn't mean to offend anyone with the "basket case" comment. My doctor is sooooooo unsupportive that it would be hard for me to talk with him about this. Perhaps i'll try a lady doctor as they tend to be a little more "nice". This is something i battle with on a daily basis, etc...and when i'm down or nervous it can get very bad. Thanks Clare and Carol, etc... for all your words. I will try and seek some help.
W x
W x
Brit-Josie
Cathlete
I used to have symptoms of OCD when I was younger - I would have to count everything and could only finish my count on an even number, not an odd number.....sounds pretty crazy, I know. I don't do it now, but I do suffer with anxiety and the occasional panic attack. I don't think there is anything wrong with me, I am just a very anxious individual.
Josie
Josie
C
Carol_is_fit
Guest
Wayne, I really don't think you offended anyone. I think we all just don't want to see you label yourself, or think there's something "abnormal" about your behaviors. It seems to me there are quite a few people on here who have suffered with anxiety and/or depression, as well as some OCD symptoms - myself included - so I hope you can see you are definitely not alone. I do hope you find someone who will listen to you. If you have the freedom to change physicians, I would say do it! From what you've said on here and in past posts, it doesn't sound like your current doctor is really listening to you. Keep us posted, okay?
Carol
Carol
candi
Cathlete
Just to clarify,
OCD is bio-chemical, yes, but it can be brought on by extreme life stress or trauma. This was my case. Again, everyone is different.
I think it's important to stress this. Each person suffering from OCD should be evaluated on an analysis of their life situation/environment as well as a physical evaluation. Heredity also plays a part.
In my case, it was my relationship with my ex-husband and stuffing my feelings of anger that caused me to turn in on myself. Over several years, I was taught the proper coping skills. When I finally took charge of my thoughts (which I didn't think I could do) and my life, I made myself well. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy worked wonders for me. I tried anti-depressents for awhile, but they did not help me.
Wayne, you really should get a referral to a Mental Health Counselor, Psychologist or Psychiatrist. You have been suffering too long and it is not necessary.
Edited to say, OCD in itself can be a coping skill. One of the reasons counting or doing the irrational things associated with OCD sufferers brings on a sense of control when their thoughts are so very out of control. If you think about it....it makes sense.
OCD is bio-chemical, yes, but it can be brought on by extreme life stress or trauma. This was my case. Again, everyone is different.
I think it's important to stress this. Each person suffering from OCD should be evaluated on an analysis of their life situation/environment as well as a physical evaluation. Heredity also plays a part.
In my case, it was my relationship with my ex-husband and stuffing my feelings of anger that caused me to turn in on myself. Over several years, I was taught the proper coping skills. When I finally took charge of my thoughts (which I didn't think I could do) and my life, I made myself well. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy worked wonders for me. I tried anti-depressents for awhile, but they did not help me.
Wayne, you really should get a referral to a Mental Health Counselor, Psychologist or Psychiatrist. You have been suffering too long and it is not necessary.
Edited to say, OCD in itself can be a coping skill. One of the reasons counting or doing the irrational things associated with OCD sufferers brings on a sense of control when their thoughts are so very out of control. If you think about it....it makes sense.
lesliemarie
Cathlete
I have been reading your posts and I hope you don't mind since I have a toddler that is in the early stages of being diagnosed either with ODD or ADHD or bipolar,
But Carol's post is what caught my eye. My 14 year old daughter. When she was 12 years old she started having sevier stomach pain and doctor after doctor and hospital after hospital tried everything and every test they could think of to find what was wrong with her. They finally put her in a children's hospital about an hour away. And I couldn't be up there as much as I wanted and they said for me NOT to stay over night with her. They put her on Celexa and had her see psychiatrists up in the hospital. They told me she is suffering from anxiety disorders. She is doing better but if she doesn't take her meds regularly she gets them nasty stomach aches.
She is real obsessed with homework and grades. She checks her grades regularly online to see what they are, and if one grade drops to a B+ she will freak and cry about it for days and work harder to get it to an A+. And also her periods didn't start till she was well over 14 and I worried and her pediatrician said to wait a few more months and if it didn't start to bring her in, Sure enough it started and now she complains about the CURSE LOL. I have often wondered if she is OCD at times.
But Carol's post is what caught my eye. My 14 year old daughter. When she was 12 years old she started having sevier stomach pain and doctor after doctor and hospital after hospital tried everything and every test they could think of to find what was wrong with her. They finally put her in a children's hospital about an hour away. And I couldn't be up there as much as I wanted and they said for me NOT to stay over night with her. They put her on Celexa and had her see psychiatrists up in the hospital. They told me she is suffering from anxiety disorders. She is doing better but if she doesn't take her meds regularly she gets them nasty stomach aches.
She is real obsessed with homework and grades. She checks her grades regularly online to see what they are, and if one grade drops to a B+ she will freak and cry about it for days and work harder to get it to an A+. And also her periods didn't start till she was well over 14 and I worried and her pediatrician said to wait a few more months and if it didn't start to bring her in, Sure enough it started and now she complains about the CURSE LOL. I have often wondered if she is OCD at times.
Wayne:
you offended no-one at all.
You have the right to see a new doctor. Abandon the current one. Go see a lady. On average women doctors are far less likely to dismiss symptoms as "being all in your head", for the simpe reason that for centuries our problems with the menstrual cycle and hormones disrupting the balance of brain chemicals (scientific fact) was a symptom of our greater propensity to mental illness to a patriarchal medical institution.
The doctor you currently have would probably recommend a few beers with the lads and a good s**g to sort out your problems. He sounds incredibly old school and uninformed.
Don't even give him the time of day. Leave right now.. Assert your rights. Demand access to psychological assessment.
I want you to report back here in a week to tell me this is in process. Or I will have to fly over there and drag you screaming to the nearest mental health facility!!!!! Am I gonna send the boys round?!?!?!?!??!?! ;-)
In solidarity,
Clare
you offended no-one at all.
You have the right to see a new doctor. Abandon the current one. Go see a lady. On average women doctors are far less likely to dismiss symptoms as "being all in your head", for the simpe reason that for centuries our problems with the menstrual cycle and hormones disrupting the balance of brain chemicals (scientific fact) was a symptom of our greater propensity to mental illness to a patriarchal medical institution.
The doctor you currently have would probably recommend a few beers with the lads and a good s**g to sort out your problems. He sounds incredibly old school and uninformed.
Don't even give him the time of day. Leave right now.. Assert your rights. Demand access to psychological assessment.
I want you to report back here in a week to tell me this is in process. Or I will have to fly over there and drag you screaming to the nearest mental health facility!!!!! Am I gonna send the boys round?!?!?!?!??!?! ;-)
In solidarity,
Clare