OCD Action

Unregistered

Hi everybody
My name's Andel and I've not long been diagnosed with OCD. The beggining of December last year to be exact, && I've just recently had my face to face assessment to see what they can do to help support me best. I start Therapy on April the 20th.

During my Assessment, Wesley *my Psychologist* explained some things about OCD. But one thing he explained is that not everyone gets "Intrusive Thoughts". I asked him this because I don't get these *Intrusive Thoughts*. Atleast I don't get them as often as most OCD sufferers, instead I get an *Intrusive Feeling*. Which then leads me to get up && check things around my apartment.
I was just wondering if there is anybody else out there who gets the same problem? Because not alot of people seem to only get an "Intrusive Feeling" with very minimal thoughts && TBH I feel pretty much alone on this.

So my questions are. Does anyone on this site only get the "Intrusive Feeling"? Did it eventually get worse && turn into thoughts?. Do you get a feeling && thoughts together?. Thanks very much for any help.

xoxox

Tue Apr 6 2010 14:11:43 #
Rena32
Member

Hi and welcome, Oh Yes, the thoughts that drive us to get up and check this and check that, sure I can relate, those thoughts drive us to get up and check things as we don't feel any relief until we do. Try to disregard those thoughts, walk away from them and not into them, do the opposite, it is hard, but it works, it just takes awhile, I have suffered with OCD for many years and just recently, I have started fighting against it, I have come a long way, never thought I would be able to say that but glad I can. You are not alone in this, there are many here who suffer the same symptoms as you, we can relate to how you feel, I hope that you will get past this, and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Wed Apr 7 2010 3:06:55 #
Parvez Choudhry
Member

Hello Andel

I often get intrusive feelings without any corresponding thoughts, and sometimes I get thoughts and feelings together. In practice I don't think there is any significant difference between them, and the way to deal with them is the same. I think your intrusive feelings are likely to evolve over time into getting thoughts & feelings combined, but that doesn't mean your OCD is getting worse - it would only mean that your brain is developing a habitual response to your intrusive feelings by articulating to yourself what you feel in order to provide yourself with a semi-rational explanation for those pesky irrational feelings.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with your therapy!
Parvez

Wed Apr 7 2010 16:06:23 #
Wombat140
Member

I don't have any reason for doing my compulsions (that I know of). I just have to do them - it's like trying not to sneeze. It's not even recognizably anxiety, with me. Some people find that not doing their compulsions makes them anxious, but without them being worried about anything specific. Is your "feeling" anything like that, do you think?
Anyway, as Parvez said, there's no reason why this kind of OCD shouldn't respond to the usual kind of treatment. (Mine doesn't, but there's a separate reason for that). I hope yours goes well.

And welcome to the forum. Hope you like it!
Wombat140

Wed Apr 7 2010 20:04:45 #
Unregistered

Hello Wombat, Parvez && Rena.
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, my internet was cut off for 2 days. Anyway, thankyou so much for the responces. It's made me feel alot better knowing there are other people who get the same "symptoms" as me :). I just felt quite alone as everyone I know with OCD gets "intrusive thoughts" but I seem to get a mixture. But it's mostly a very annoying, niggly, nagging feeling.
Also, Wombat && Parvez, yes it's kind've like how you've both explained it. The best way I can explain it is, have you ever gone out and literatly within minutes of leaving your home you get this "feeling" like you've forgotten to turn something off? Like the Gas or Heater or lights?
Well that's the feeling I get **or atleast it's the closest I can get to describing it** sometimes I'll get a thought before it, like "Oh no, I've forgotten something** even though I know for a fact that I haven't, then the feeling starts and that's when it's hard to ignore, which then leads me to get up and check the stuff around my house......yadda yadda yadda :?, then it becomes repetitive. Even when I'm online, I have specific websites I have to check everyday, in a certain order and I have to keep checking "till it feels just right" or till the feeling ends. Not to mention other stuff.
Thankyou so much everyone for replying to me and for making me feel welcome to the site.

x

Thu Apr 8 2010 19:35:49 #