OCD Action

Aimboy
Member

Hey

Ive read a lot of posts the few months ive been here from members talking about their struggles in life. I was just wondering whether anyone feels that they are totally in control of their OCD to the point where it is no longer a problem for them aswell as any other related disorders. Im 18 now and have made some but very little progress over the past 10 years, i feel as though im just getting by in life rather than enjoying it. Is it possible to be in total control of OCD or will it always be a constant battle?

Joe

Tue Jan 17 2012 17:18:07 #
S*F
Member

Hi Aimboy,

I guess that people who feel in control of their OCD are less likely to use a forum like this, hence we only ever hear the harder stuff people are going through. I totally identify with what you say about feeling you are only getting by rather than enjoying life. I felt like that for years and it took me a long time to accept this illness (I still aim trying to accept it really). What I can tell you is that with age I think you develop a greater understanding of people and of life, and in some respects that makes this easier to deal with (i.e you stress less what other people think). Life shouldn't be a battle, are you under supervision with your doctor? Are you getting help for this? My mum gave me a piece of advice once and it was that you must give time, time. In time this will get better for you. Every day it lessens a little is a good day. My life has not been easy but I am now doing things I never thought would be possible because of this illness and that makes life worth living.

All the best

S

Tue Jan 17 2012 18:24:01 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi there... Yes, I'm inclined to agree that people may not want to stick around when better. Much like once you feel better from something in hospital. Sometimes it just reminds of what has been conquered, for me it is still being conquered though... Probably will be for a while too... So I'll be sticking around for a while... I do have good days, just not a lot, but that is still better than things used to be!
Wannabe

Tue Jan 17 2012 19:23:49 #
Mike
Member

It's not possible to be in TOTAL control, but it IS possible to be in control ENOUGH so that you can enjoy life, perhaps even almost as much as you would without the OCD. I know this for a fact. But OCD waxes and wanes, and you will inevitably go through tough times, but better times usually follow soon after.

-Mike

Tue Jan 17 2012 23:32:32 #
playthoseblues
Member

I find my OCD comes in good weeks and bad weeks. Sometimes it's ok, other times it's terrible. But I think being in control is the most important thing, and being able to deal with the anxiety.

Jon

Wed Jan 18 2012 7:43:18 #
Cuthbert ffoliott
Moderator

Hi Aimboy -

you pose a truly interesting question (or riddle, if you will). Is it possible to be totally in control of OCD? Hm. That would be equal to not suffer from the disorder, I guess (well, a first thought, mind). OCD controls us, to a large extent. We make plans, good normal plans, and these get overruled by the disease (so that we cannot leave the house for an appointment, for instance, or don't get sleep when we need it).

This is paradoxical, because people with OCD are commonly described as 'control freaks'. Everything has to be 'exactly right', before we can start what we see as spontaneous living... but that is only so far spontaneous until some unexpected barrier is there, we see contamination somewhere, or a window is open whilst we are sure that we locked it, or whatever... our spontaneity is interrupted then. Our sense of control is damaged, and the procedures start again, to make sure.

Perhaps the art of dealing with OCD is partly in accepting the disorder, and partly in attaining a bearable way to deal with the above interruptions. Maybe the latter is the most important thing: 'dealing with' is equal to try to alter certain thought processes, to assign different levels of importance to what we experience. A piece of clothing is missing. Someone with OCD can, if untreated, go through endless fears and trains of thought: where did I put it? Did someone steal it? Is it still intact? Why can't I remember where I put it? Am I losing my memory? And so on and so forth. The new line of thought could be: oh, I have so many other clothers, just try something different for now, I will find that thing back in due time. And even if I can't find it, the occasion I will attend just now is important, not that jacket, or that shirt.

I readily admit that it's a gigantic task to switch lines of thinking. But if it can be achieved, it's a milestone.

My two cents, cheers, Cuthbert.

Wed Jan 18 2012 12:42:29 #
Sydney :)
Member

I'm about to sound really pessimistic, I just feel like I'm just getting by. I'm not living in the moment, rather constantly evaluating my thoughts and anxiety so basically living in my head.....if that makes any sense. I'm hopeful for the future but I'm trying to get out of the moment. So no, I'm not living my life. I'm sure in the future I can say "yes, I'm living my life and OCD can't stop me!!" But at the moment I'm just wanting it to be over with. The sad thing is I'm the future I'm going to regret this when I realize how fast the days go and turn into weeks then months then years. I'm hopeful though and I hope you are as well.

Thu Jan 19 2012 6:19:47 #
Cuthbert ffoliott
Moderator

Hi Sydney -

that is a great call you made. It is at once realistic (esp. with regard to the passing of time, I experienced exactly the same feelings) and so full of hope and expectation...

Kudos to you!

Cuthbert.

Thu Jan 19 2012 10:40:08 #
Aimboy
Member

Hey guys

Thanks for the replies, S*F and Wannabe i know where your coming from when u say people with OCD are more inclined to use this site if its causing problems for them and in answer to your question S*F im at uni at the moment and seeing a counselor my GPs reffered me but ive been told it may take up to 6 months to get a reply.

Mike and Jon I can definatley relate to what both of u are saying it does though i generally go through good months and bad months such as my ocd will begin and progressively get worse until it hits its peak then starts to cool off though i do have the odd good day in the bad months.

Cuthbert you give a good analysis and i agree a big step into controlling the disorder is to accept it. Sydney it makes a lot of sense and again I can definately relate to that ecspecially about analysing all your thoughts.

I dont know if any of you have read the book "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle, it just sprung to mind whilst reading Sydney's post. Ive only read a bit of it myself so cant for definate say whether its a good book to read but its supposed to teach you ways to focus on the present instead of constantly thinking about the future or past events which people with OCD seem to do a lot of :/

Thanks again guys

Joe

Thu Jan 19 2012 12:36:08 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi there. A good point here, There are some videos of Eckhart Tolle on youtube, and he is really fascinating to listen to.
Wannabe

Thu Jan 19 2012 20:13:49 #
BT
Member

Just noticed this thread. In reply to the original question - NO!

Fri Jan 20 2012 12:42:11 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi BT, sorry to get the impression that things are going less than well for you... I suffer from depression most of my life, but it goes up and down. It causes havoc with my attempts to cope with the OCD.
How long have you felt this way, and have you ever found any coping strategies that have helped in the past?
Here's hoping things improve for all of us soon...
Wannabe

Fri Jan 20 2012 20:34:34 #
BT
Member

Sorry, Wannabe, just seen your message and another on a different thread. Will try to reply tomorrow.

Sun Jan 22 2012 13:56:12 #
Stuy89
Member

I know how you feel Aimboy I feel mentally exhausted most of the time from all the worrying, the constant questioning and over-analysing that goes on inside my head about EVERYTHING!! Sounds weird but sometimes everything in life just feels grey and numb like your disconnected from the rest of the world. It's maddening like lol

Sun Jan 22 2012 23:06:47 #
wannabefree
Member

It sure isn't easy, this life... I too get very fed up with everything... Life is often a long hard struggle for us lovely people with this OCD... I'm using ellipses again cos I'm so stressed... I'm trying very hard to relax into the chair I'm in right now... To just be in this minute for a moment or two...
But it isn't easy is it?
Wannabe

Mon Jan 23 2012 21:02:39 #