OCD Action

Neverland777
Member

Hello everyone or anyone. I'm new here but I am just seeking advice. I am a huge fan of Michael Jackson and, with several other dedicated fans, am part of a charity called, "Michael Jackson's Legacy," Currently, we are attempting to raise funds to build an orphanage in Liberia which is projected to open by the end of this year. The other beautiful ladies who compose the team are committed to travelling out to Liberia to open it. At present, none of them know about my personal struggles with OCD in any of its forms, (contamination, pure o, etc.) The problem is, I'm so anxious about travelling out there. Given my current state, I'm not sure I would cope too well. However, that mere thought fills me with guilt. Here we are trying to help people who have nothing and I am concerning myself with trite trivialities. It's just making me feel evil. I am currently receiving support form an NHS therapist and am in the early stages of CBT. Any advice would be sincerely appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.

Wed 21 Mar 2012 16:29 #
Tess
Member

Hi Neverland
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the fantastic work you are doing.
The guilt you are feeling about your OCD in relation to the problems of others is understandable but misplaced. OCD has been classified by the World Health Organisation in the top ten most disabling illnesses to affect mankind and everyone who has suffered from it will understand why. The fact that you can't see it and that your fears are irrational and excessive in the extreme is not relevant, your disorder and your fears are very real and your ability to cope with things which others do naturally without thinking about them is compromised. The only advice I can offer you is to accept that you have OCD and stop being so hard on yourself.

Wed 21 Mar 2012 19:56 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Tess, Hi Neverland, welcome from me too... And yes congrats on the fantastic work you are undertaking. It sure is a bind that when we try to help others, we find ourselves dragged down by our own disabilities. I say disabilities, cos that is exactly what OCD is, a disability. It drags us down, and is a struggle cos we can't see it like a physical impediment. It is because it is our very thought patterns, our ability to think straight, our thought processes which are going wrong. You will find that there are things you aren't able to do, and that others will need to do for you, but that is part of team work. You are still part of the team, and that is brilliant, and special... Really special... This OCD is a pain, and you are not evil, it is your 'cross to bear' in a world where yes, people have more than those you are helping, but it is a different world. The people you are helping have physical needs, that you are helping, they've probably never known anything like our life styles, so we sense a sense of loss, but they don't, they are simply living, in many ways without the stresses we feel. You're doing a fantastic job within the confines of your abilities, and that is all anyone can do. To be honest, I tend to think that us with OCD have other abilities that we can call on, though what they are I don't know myself! Keep on keepin on!
Wannabe

Wed 21 Mar 2012 22:06 #
Neverland777
Member

Thank you so much to both of you for your kind words of support. They are sincerely valued, sincerely.

Tue 27 Mar 2012 15:59 #