OCD Action

Faith
Member

First a brief history
Ive had OCD since i was 7, im now 18 and take Fluoxetine to help me. I also suffer from depression and SAD.

Now my problem! Ive noticed that gradually ive found it harder and harder to express my deep emotions and now its got to the point i dont express any emotion really at all. My family of course have noticed and are supporting me except for my step dad who gets mad at me and says im cold hearted, unfeeling and cruel because i dont show my love for my family and friends. It hurts me deeply that i cant and i wish i could and i try my hardest but i cant. Within the last 3 months ive noticed my mood has been changing drastically and often. One minute im on top of the world and the next i feel really sad or angry. I dicussed it with my mum who knows me the best and we thought maybe its because i dont let any emotion out, even with the strong feelings it doesnt show an awful lot. So im wondering, is this part of my OCD, is it me or maybe do i have something else wrong with me?

Thu Jul 1 2010 0:48:18 #
Truddles
Member

Hi Jade,

Welcome to the forum.

I personally find that the OCD causes drastic mood changes With me it’s the sheer frustration of trying to deal with the OCD that causes the lows. I then work hard to elevate my mood and in doing so tend to go to the opposite extreme. It’s then difficult trying to deal with the day to day problems that the OCD causes and trying to remain cheerful and eventually I come crashing back down to earth with a bump only for the cycle to start all over again. I know of others who say that the OCD causes their mood to change dramatically.
And although I can cry and can laugh I find it isn’t easy to express exactly how I feel as the OCD tends to get in the way.

It’s good that most of your family are supporting you. Are you receiving any help for your OCD?
If not you really need to go to your GP and ask for them to refer you for treatment. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is at the moment the treatment of choice for OCD. I find the better controlled my OCD is the easier it is for me to express not only my emotions but also exactly what it is that I need.

There are a lot of people on the forum going through similar things and it’s great to be able to talk and exchange ideas with others. We’re a friendly bunch who try to help and support each other.

Best wishes
Trudy

Thu Jul 1 2010 10:52:17 #
Truddles
Member

Sorry I missed the first part of your post - brain isn't what it used to be
Depression can also make it difficult to express your emotions and cause mood swings. It might be worth you going back to your GP and telling him about the problems you are experiencing at the moment. I now having read the first part of your post see that you're on Fluoxetine, but have you ever had CBT for your OCD? If not it might be worth asking if your GP would refer you.
Trudy

Thu Jul 1 2010 10:58:54 #
Faith
Member

Yes i have had CBT about 3 times, doesnt help that much really anymore. The first time i had it when i first had my OCD diagnosed was very helpful but now i find it only helps with the smaller problems. Well my help has been bad recently, id been seeing my psychiatrist since i was about 8 and he was really involved and helpful up until a few years ago and the help just seemed to stop and my medication wasnt monitored and hasnt been for over a year! Great news is im getting transferred to a new adults therapy unit so im hoping to get everything sorted out with someone new.

Thu Jul 1 2010 18:58:17 #
Eilidh
Member

I'm very similar. I find it really hard to express strong emotions. Love is one of them, but for me the hardest one is sadness (I cannot stand the idea of crying infront of people, even my family.) And I get big mood changes as well (although I put quite a bit of that down to still being a teenager -17- and it being somewhat normal anyway.)
I don't think I've got depression, but I go through really dark spells every so often where I feel like I could be depressed. Those have happened since I was really little and I started thinking about death (cheary this innit?)
I'm hoping that I just have a tough attitude to life, but I have wondered if it has any links to my OCD.
Hope you're oky, and that your step-day shuts up! Heh.
xx

Fri Jul 2 2010 22:29:39 #
tina1330
Member

hey!

i recently found that i had OCD its amazing how one minute were great and the next you have nothing to say, i use to be a lovey dovey person and would tell people how great they were. Nowadays its the opp- im not very romantic, never told my bf i love him face to face as i physically cannot! lol.. i guess when your trying to deal with your own emotions it can be hard to tell family- loved ones how you feel. keep ur chin up hang in there x

Wed Jul 14 2010 22:39:13 #