OCD Action

Carboy
Member

Hi all,

I have read around the subject of OCD a bit and was wondering what the general consensus is with regards to how to deal with the thoughts in your head which make you think "what if xyz" and generally worry about the fact you haven't dine something as many times as you (wrongly) think you Should. The reAson I ask is that I am getting much better with reducing the extent to which I check my work but when the after thoughts come into play I have been saying in my head "there just unusual thoughts which everybody has but I struggle to disregard becuase of my condition" but I worry that this in itself could turn into a ritual...not sure if I mAke sesnse here?

Thanks

Mon Apr 5 2010 22:20:40 #
Rena32
Member

Hi Carboy, after having OCD for 27 years, I can tell you this, OCD causes us to worry and have fear, therefore, after a while these worries and fears become a habit, we are so used to doing it that we feel strange when we are not worried or full of fear. I have recently after having many years of torment by OCD have began to be able to control it, I just keep resisting the thoughts and the more I resist the negative thoughts of fear and worry, the easier it becomes. Oh yes, I still have moments where it is not so easy to fight off, but I refuse to let OCD keep me down any longer, I have wasted so much of my time on OCD and the symptoms it causes, that I have started to fight it as hard as I can, and it is working. I do not take medication for my OCD, and it is a struggle to fight against it, but I will keep on fighting as hard as I can. After all this I realize that I had developed a habit of worrying, if I was not worrying I almost felt guilty, or out of sorts. When we have OCD, our thoughts get stuck on one thing kinda like a broken record. I hope that you will be able to over come this, as I know the battle is not easy. I wish you the very best.

Tue Apr 6 2010 3:15:45 #
Carboy
Member

Hi rena,

Many thanks for your response, I really appreciate it. What you've said is really useful - sounds like trying to resist the thoughts is the best option (and the conc I was starting to come to). Do u find it's best to think about somehing else or just focus on blocking out the thought and let your mind move on itself.

That's so true what you say about when your not having the thoughts it feels strange and you almost feel lime you should bd worrying. I get this typically on a friday or times when I will have time off work e.g. Holiday. Do you reccomend the same approach of just trying to block the thoughts out??

Your post really has helped me - thank you

Tue Apr 6 2010 23:21:58 #
Rena32
Member

Hi Carboy, I am so glad that my post helped you, that is great news. When I block a thought, fear or worry, I kind of talk to my OCD and tell it that I refuse to let it take over, it may sound strange but it works. OCD is a bully, and if you let it have the upper hand it will continue to get worse. It does help to focus on something else, when you feel a worry cropping up, I find it helps to turn my attention elsewhere and focus on other things. It is easier said than done, but you just have to train yourself to do it, don't give into it, just fight it as hard as you can, for many years I just was to weak and let the OCD win, and then I got stronger by retraining my mind to do the opposite of what OCD wanted me to do. Of course I am still OCD, but as the days go by, it is becoming less and less a fixture in my life. This forum has really helped me alot, because I don't feel comfortable discussing my OCD with everyday people, but here I feel totally at ease, because on the forum we can all relate to each other because of the condition we share. Just being able to post on the forum with others who understand is a great source of therapy. Keep me posted on how you are doing.

Wed Apr 7 2010 2:47:20 #
thelazypick
Member

hi carboy,

personally, i find that keeping yourself occupied works somehow. i usually 'ocd' less when i hang out with my friends, or keep myself occupied by playing games, or playing the guitar, etc.

i also try to think of pleasant thoughts when the disturbing ones come into my mind. i know i cannot make the unpleasant thoughts go away, so i try to substitute them with pleasant ones.

i still have rituals that i must abide by though. but when i start brooding over them i always tell myself to take it easy and think. i think it's important to remain calm and think of how to overcome the thoughts.

i hope this helps and all the best

Wed Apr 7 2010 13:20:23 #
Truddles
Member

Yes keeping yourself occupied does help to keep the intrusive thoughts at bay doesn't it? Though it's not quite so easy if the compulsions get in the way of doing things to keep occupied.

Wed Apr 7 2010 13:58:27 #
thelazypick
Member

yes sometimes even when i do my favourite things, i 'ocd' too. like i have this obsession with even numbers, so sometimes when i strum the guitar, i strum the same chord twice. ruins the song and it can get quite frustrating.

Wed Apr 7 2010 14:18:51 #
Wombat140
Member

Sometimes find that when I'm playing the guitar I can get away with things that I can't normally. It's like I get carried along on the music, and I can sail straight past whatever it was the OCD was blithering about.

Wed Apr 7 2010 20:13:31 #
Truddles
Member

Am I the only one on the forum that can't play a musical instrument?

Wed Apr 7 2010 20:33:06 #
Carboy
Member

Thanks everybody for your comments and advice - this forum really is great, it's helping hugely. Rena thanks for your most recent post I will deinately keep you updated :-).

Thanks,

Andy

ps I can't play a musical instrument - the gym really helps me take
Mind off things though

Wed Apr 7 2010 22:35:53 #
Rena32
Member

I can't play a musical instrument either, but I have always wanted to play the guitar.

Thu Apr 8 2010 4:44:24 #
poppyfields
Member

Nor me, i'm tone death guys lol

Thu Apr 8 2010 9:04:23 #
thelazypick
Member

i'm quite terrible at music, but i still enjoy playing the guitar. i'm really sorry for my neighbours.

wombat140, yes i find that playing the guitar helps but i can't play it for too long or i'll start ocd-ing i stop everytime i start ocd-ing while playing because i really don't want it to affect one of my favourite pasttimes.

Thu Apr 8 2010 14:50:37 #