OCD Action

FTorres2009
Member

Since i've been young I've always had an active mind, so much so that my overactive imagination caused me immense distress in my junior years, I broke down in tears a lot out of an irrational fear of losing my family. I would have night mares and doctors and teachers wouldn't help me, it was a massive problem as a child which I grew out of.

Anyway more recently in the past few years, I have found myself displaying symptoms of OCD. From what started off checking if everything was off and locked when leaving the house, I have no found myself turning around on the Motorway to check if the back door is shut. Other physical aspects which fortunately only happened once, was when I was parking my car and spent 20 Minutes seeing checking every lock, the boot, the windows the engine the gear stick, everything I was losing my breath and sweating, it was one of the worst experiences I've had.

Mentally, I find myself having irrational fears of failing, irrational fears of my Dad not coming home from work, reminders of embarrassing moments and former love interests. I can go on and on, but the irrational fear of failing is really getting to me, I have finished my second semester, and I can't get it out of my mind that I might fail, despite having good marks.

As I've said, I can go on and on. But It's causing rage, fear and sadness at the same time and it's really holding my back socially.

What can I do?

Fri Apr 16 2010 21:17:42 #
Truddles
Member

Hi FTorres2009,

Welcome to the forum.

It does sound like OCD. But you need to be diagnosed by a Professional. You need to go to your GP and tell him all that is going on and ask him to refer you for treatment. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is often the first line treatment.

OCD is frustrating and can make you angry and sad. It can hold you back in so many ways and can make you feel socially isolated. You don't need to go through this alone, all of us on the forum are going through similar things. We're all here to help and support each other.

Please keep posting.

Best wishes
Trudy

Fri Apr 16 2010 21:54:09 #
Rena32
Member

Hi FTorres2009 and welcome, you are not alone, you must label these negative thoughts and fears as OCD, I have been through just what you are going through, the car checking and the fears of something bad happening to my family. OCD causes our thought process to get stuck, where as most people have a negative thought or fear, and are able to think of it once and move on. OCD causes us to not be able to move past those negative thoughts and fears, and we dwell on them to the point of severe anxiety and stress. Trudy's advice for you is great,that is the first step that you need to take. Also, please keep us posted on how you are and I know you will find great support here, and just having that support can help relieve symptoms.

Sat Apr 17 2010 3:12:25 #
thelazypick
Member

hi ftorres2009 nice to meet you.

i used to have this idea about the adults abandoning me when i was little. i'd worry that they might 'throw me away' someday or something. so i spent most of my childhood living in fear too.

i have got times when my ocd gets so bad that i get really frustrated. especially during the exams, when i know that i'm running out of time, but the ocd is holding me back from writing.

i have not seen the doctor yet but i'm intending to do so soon. i hope you will consider going to the doctor's too. do keep posting

Sat Apr 17 2010 5:59:47 #
jodie
Member

im not sure but i think i may have ocd things i have read seem quite fimiliar i wash my hands constently even until they bleed. I get upset and angry if my mom moves things in my bedroom such as pillows. I have certain things i do such as certain hair routines, schedules when to get in the shower etc.. its hard to talk about this because i dont want to sound silly. im scared sometimes i dont like going out by myself i feel paranoid that i could be taken away or abused something i dont know what i feel mad some times i cnt help it tho
do you think i should see a doctor ???? Im sorry if this sounds stupid its just im not sure what to do. if you could help it would be much appreciated thnks

Thu May 13 2010 19:53:17 #
Wombat140
Member

You don't sound stupid, Jodie. (Even if you did, there's no law against that!) It does sound like OCD to me, although of course I'm not a doctor. All the things you mention are fairly common features of OCD.

If you're washing your hands until they bleed, that's decidedly serious enough to ask your doctor about! I think you probably should - if it is OCD, there's a lot they can do about it. Most GPs know something about OCD now. If you want to make sure, or you want something to "break the ice", there's a factsheet for GPs on the main OCDAction website that you could show him. It's a bit hard to find, so here's a link. Sometimes it also helps to write down your symptoms and what you want to say beforehand, so that you don't forget anything.

Best of luck,
Wombat140

Thu May 13 2010 20:16:32 #