|
i have a worrying ocd
hi, i dont know if you know about obsesive compulsive disorders but if you do then i'd really like your help.
I dont know what to do because mine is interfering with everyday life and makes me very anxious and upset.
i have the one where i wash my hands alot when making food which sounds normal but it is extreme.
the one thats the worst though is i have to say "take care, i love you" to my boyfriend alot and especially when he goes out, which sounds ok but i have to keep saying it until it feels right and make him keep saying it too, if i dont do it then i feel awful and think someone will kill him or he'll die in a car accident and it will be all my fault because i didnt say those words.
Also, if i'm in the kitchen or something i get a voice (my voice) in my head that tells me to do something like put a spoon in a certain place or put something in the bin etc or something tragic will happen to my boyfriend or another of my worst fears will happen, if i try to ignore it then my voice in my head starts screaming at me to do it and i get worried and cant decide what to do cos part of me knows bad things wont happen just because i dont do a certain thing but at the same time i darnt risk it and get myself into such a state and get bad anxiety and panic and get upset.
anya, 21, uk
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
Hey,
I have mild OCD that I am currently trying to keep under control, so I can relate. Firstly I'll say: DON'T WORRY. And don't think you're alone. OCD is a psychiatric problem, and if it gets any worse you'll need to see a doctor about it. Research it online; it helped me a lot.
OK, don't think about EVERYTHING that you're doing or not doing. Just focus on one thing at a time and try and change it. For example, everytime you hear that voice say back to it, 'why should I do that?'. It'll probably say because if you don't something bad will happen, but try and ignore it. You know nothing bad will happen; that's half way to solving the problem.
When you panic, just focus on your breathing and try and do something else - watch TV (preferably a show you like but an episode you HAVEN'T seen before you don't know what's happened and can't get distracted), or make a shopping list, or ring someone up. It might be good to go online when you're anxious, so you can talk it out and get it off your mind. Feel free to email me anytime you feel bad and feel like you 'need' to do something OCDish. My email addy is mitzirox1986@hotmail.com or hippiebanana13@yahoo.co.uk :)
I know it's a really hard mental attitude to get out of, but through just three months of trying I managed to reduce my OCD to such a low level that I forgot about it nearly all the time!! Of course, it won't just 'go away' and it flares back up whenever I have a lot of stressfull stuff going on, but I am a great believer that while you should probably get support, you shouldn't just go on OCD drugs straight away. They'll just make you more insecure and make you think you can't cope without the drugs. Try and exert some willpower first :)
Do you have problems making eye contact with people? I used to have huge problems with that and I overcame it by forcing myself to look people in the eye, and then down to the floor if I absolutely had to for a couple of seconds, and now it's become habit. It gave me a lot more confidence and I think it really helped me overcome my OCD. You should try it :)
I think you probably have to say 'take care, I love you' so many times because you ALWAYS say it. That means it sounds average when you say it and you have to keep saying it so it has 'meaning' and will 'protect' your boyfriend. Try saying something else, for example, 'I love you, drive safely' or whatever. Change what you say - it'll make the relationship a teeny bit more interesting and although it'll sound weird the first time you say it, you'll soon get used to saying other things. Don't get obsessive over saying a different thing every time though - you don't need to do that. Just vary it once in a while, and when you see that nothing goes wrong you'll get more confidence and will be able to do it more often!
Best of luck!!
Blessed Be,
Rach xxx
]
More Questions: |