OCD Action

Didymus
Member

hi guys im 29 and have been advised to join a group for ocd ive been having a few problems that have been getting worse over the last few years

the only place i really fell relaxed is in my flat at home but i have to get up contantly to make sure my cooker is off standing at it repeating to myself it its off also i have to keep going to my front door and making sure it is locked with the chain on repeating the word closed to myself till im confident its locked and i will do this constantly

i have problems leaveing the flat for the same reason as if i dont go out with a friend to tell me ive locked my doors and windows and turned cooker of iron off i get a few meters away from the flat and have to keep going back to check everything till i give up and dont go out

i have a shower in my flat but cant use it as i dont consider it to be clean but if i am with a place with a bath i can easly have 10 plus baths a day also if i use a public was room i dont like to touch andthing in there even taps to wash hand as i consider it all dirty

i use way to much electric as if i dont empty the washing machine or dish washer as soon as they finish i think the stuff inside is dirty and if clothes arnt put in the tumble dry then put straight away in there respective places or are put on the floor or touch something i dont want them to touch the whole lot needs to be washed again and i have noticed when i have very down days i cant stop washing my hands ive finally spoken to the doctors about this after many years as it sounds silly when i talk about it and im and sure if i tell the doctors they are gonna section me

i would like to know if theses groups work and whats the best ways to treat theses problems as i really dont want them to get worse

many thanks

Rich

Wed Jul 27 2011 0:37:52 #
Truddles
Member

Hi Rich,

Welcome to the forum

Can I start by saying that they cannot section you just because you have OCD.

Your symptoms are very similar to mine, especially with regards to the washing and yes OCD can present us with enormous electricity bills.
Given the severity of your symptoms and the impact that it has on your daily life you need to go back to your GP and ask for an urgent referral to someone who specialises in OCD for an assessment so that you can access the appropriate treatment. Treatment for OCD is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and or medication usually SSRIs. There is often a waiting list for CBT so it might be worth asking to see if he can put you in touch with the Community Mental Health Team for some practical support whilst you’re waiting to access CBT. Try writing all your OCD symptoms down and also you need to emphasise the extent to which they impact on your daily life so the GP realises that you need help immediately.

Go to http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/support-groups/ for a list of OCD support groups. These groups don’t offer treatment, they are an opportunity to meet others with OCD and to get valuable help and support from each other. It is not a substitute for treatment but there are there as a valuable source of support and can supplement treatment. You can also get help and support from other members on this forum and can really help especially if you’re having a bad day.

You could try reading Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder by David Veale and Rob Willson, it’s a good book to start with as it gives a good overview of both OCD and CBT.

I hope that this helps.

Best wishes
Trudy

Wed Jul 27 2011 7:37:53 #
Tess
Member

Hi Rich
I attend a support group in south east Cornwall and I agree with everything Trudy has posted above. Support groups are being recommended more and more now as a way of providing support for people with OCD as an alternative to one to one therapies which are much more expensive to provide. But as Trudy says they are not a substitute for treatment.
One of the benefits of joining a support group is that you will very quickly realise that you are not alone in the way you feel, that noone there will think you are silly, they will empathise, understand and never judge because they are going through exactly the same problems. It's a place where you can reveal your most ridiculous compulsions, have a good laugh and go away feeling relieved to have got if off your chest and maybe with a few self help tips. For people who live alone it can be a great place of friendship and support.

Wed Jul 27 2011 10:22:31 #
Allison
Member

I too suffer from fear of contamination and years ago used to use a bar of soap a day. I know what it is like to feel the only safe place is your home but even then you start to feel parts of that are contaminated too. So frustrating. I am on prozac and have just started cbt and last night I attended my local ocd self help group for the third time. Felt really ill two weeks ago but starting to feel my mood lift as talking about your problems and realising you are not 'mad' and not alone really really helps. I have found a great comfort since finding this forum and it is lovely to see fellow suffers trying to help eachother.

Wed Jul 27 2011 11:34:40 #
Didymus
Member

hi guys

thank you for the replies it nice to know people understand that some days are difficult i have been on prozac to no avale so the switched me duxiltineim seeking this help no as ive got to the point of crying as to get out my flayt i have to repeat to my self all the time that the cooker is off and the door is closed when i manage to get out i have been told there is a support group that meets in brighton and it might be nice to talk face to face to someone who is going thought this as well

thank u all

rich

Thu Jul 28 2011 0:10:29 #
Didymus
Member

Thu Jul 28 2011 0:11:21 #
Allison
Member

It definetly helps to talk to people who feel the same way. I am going on holiday in a couple of weeks and I'm wishing I was there without all the checking before hand.I know once I'm there I will have a good time but just wish I could be transported by a time machine. I think you should give your local self help group a go. It's definetly lifted my mood by talking to fellow sufferers. Take care.

Fri Jul 29 2011 11:11:34 #