OCD Action

Unregistered

I've recently been suffering from panic attacks (again ) and at first I thought my OCD might be the trigger for them but now i'm not so sure.

It's confusing but I think the panic attacks affect the OCD rather than the other way around - After a panic attack I always feel the need to do all of my rituals at once, has anyone experienced the same? Is it possible that it's a snowball effect? By that I mean I have a panic attack feel the need to do my rituals then worry about doing them and then cause another attack.

Any thoughts or experiences to share?

Mon Jul 5 2010 8:36:20 #
Unregistered

Hi Dear P

I think you may be right here and that the panic attacks can trigger the OCD rather than be the result of a bad attack of OCD. Certainly, if someone shouts at me or upsets me, I do sometimes get panic attacks which in turn result in the obsessions, compulsions and rituals. This also happens if I try to do too many things at once. We ladies are supposed to be good multi-taskers, but as I read recently, and totally agree with, if you are a perfectionist, it is best to try to do one task at a time.

My answer is to walk away from the situation if at all possible and take some time out. Go for a walk (which alas is hard for me) get on the bus and go down town and look in the shops, have a cup of coffee with a friend, watch a funny film, or, if it is sunny, sit in the garden and chill out.

Whatever triggers what, OCD is an anxiety disorder and the two do seem to go together. I take a teeny dose of citalopram (10mg) which actually works. But if things get bad I take some Rescue Remedy too. Whether or not it is a placebo, it works on me because I believe in it.

Anyway, P, this is a realy good issue to debate.

Very best wishes
Anne

Mon Jul 5 2010 9:19:59 #
swan
Member

Not sure which way round mine is but think its the ocd thoughts that make me anxious.

Mon Jul 5 2010 16:35:13 #
Truddles
Member

When I'm anxious for what ever reason the OCD has a field day and I then find it difficult to cope with the OCD.

Mon Jul 5 2010 19:26:45 #
Unregistered

Gladis - Thanks so much for your thoughts, I recently bought Kalms Lozenges and Bachs's Rescue Remedy in the form of chewing gum - they seem to work but i'm now worrying about getting to dependant on them (I know paranoid! but I can't help it) I have limited myself to one when I get to school or in first lesson and then one more if I feel it is really necessary. After talking with my counselloour we came to the sort-of agreement that most of my bad things are triggered by the feeling of being out of control ><

Swan - I wasn't sure either but it seems as though the two definitely go together.

Truddles - I think mine is very similiar to that...it's a horrible feeling

Thanks so much for posting guys! It's good to talk about this with people who understand

Tue Jul 6 2010 10:35:54 #
Truddles
Member

I don't think that you'll get addicted to either But it's good to limit their use as it gives you some control over the situation, rather than the OCD controlling it.

I find that when I feel that things are out of my control then the OCD gets worse I think it's part and parcel of the OCD, we feel that we need to be in control. But we can't be in control all the time and we need to learn to accept this or the OCD will always win
What we can do is learn to control the way that we react to our thoughts and not let the OCD bully win. That way we can get our lives back

Tue Jul 6 2010 10:49:50 #
Unregistered

Hi P

I quite agree with what Truddles has said. Although I don't think you can get addicted to either it is best to limit them for when you really need them and really fight that OCD.

I am pleased you have got some appointment with the counsellor - that is just what you needed.

Take care

Love

Anne

Tue Jul 6 2010 18:14:54 #
Unregistered

Truddles - I didn't think i'd get addicted but my boyfriend is worrying that i'll take them constantly and it'll be too much however I had jut one Kalms Lozenger yesterday and I was fine. Everyone is telling me it's psychological but I don't care as long as it's working and I don't end up paralysed on the floor hyperventilating! I think I can be quite a controlling person -it's always been my nature to be a leader really. I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that not everything is my fault and I can't control everything.

Thank you.

Gladis - I am trying really hard not to have them unless I need one - for example I haven't had one yet this morning! It was amazing I talked about everything on my mind and felt like a huge weight had been lifted, it really helped.

Thanks

Wed Jul 7 2010 8:41:07 #