OCD Action

Chelsey
Member

Hi there,
I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder seven years ago, when I was eleven years old, and have had it from as young as I can remember.
However, I don't talk to anyone about it apart from my boyfriend, who gets pretty worried whenever I do.
I think I even possibly agitated my therapists when I was a child because I wouldn't talk to them at all, and I don't talk with my family either.
As far as everyone, apart from my boyfriend, are aware, my OCD is dealable, mild and pretty easy to cope with.
However, that's not the case. It often makes me feel suicidal, stressed (as I'm sure it does with everyone) and very anxious.

There are a lot of things I do that I'll never go into, that I know are because of my OCD, that I try to hide from people every day.

But there's one thing I'm not too sure on whether it's just my OCD or not.
The thing is, I can't STAND unecessary noises. I know it messes with my head, but something tells me it's more than just OCD.
I can't stand mouse clicks, especially when people press them at unmatching time spans over and over again - and very loudly!
I can't stand when people press the enter key on a keyboard loudly, people eating loudly or even making a single noise with their mouth at all.
I can't stand when people walk on a wooden floor in slippers or boots and I can hear them walking.
People clearing their throats or breathing loudly drive me insane also.
I can't stand when people talk sometimes, and if I'm in one of my OCD moods and somebody in the house or outside talks, I'll have to repeat my routine over and over again until they shut up.
I also can't stand people touching me either. I don't mind hugs or anything, but people poking, stroking or touching me unnecessarily bugs me and I have to shout at them to stop.

Help! I have a lot of annoying rituals that are worse than this and I can cope with, but this is driving me insane!

Sat Jul 24 2010 19:56:18 #
Unregistered

Hi

Join the club - I would imagine this is quite normal for us OCDers. When I am ritualising (either trying to sort out the thoughts or carrying out a physical ritual) I cannot bear any noise or being interrupted. It makes me start all over again - though not as much as it used to. Snoring drives me nuts, I hate my hair being touched and I get mad if people invade my personal space when I am out in shops etc. But I am a lot better than I used to be.

I guess that an answer would be for you to wear earphones until you learn to get the rituals under control. This might help you stop doing things over and over again. I put my fingers in my ears if someone is stopping me from concentrating - this definitely helps me to stop checking the door more than once.

If you are still feeling suicidal you should go and see your GP immediately.

Very best wishes
Anne

Sat Jul 24 2010 20:22:16 #
Chelsey
Member

Hi, Anne.

Thanks for the reply, glad to know I'm not alone with this, as whenever I looked on the internet I didn't get many answers.

When I'm working in the office I do keep my headphones in all day, but as it's a family business I get accused of being 'anti-social'.
The same as when I'm at home. I come from a very large family and whenever people are in the house I'll come up to my bedroom, even if it means being in it all day, as I can't stand stupid noises.
As none of them know this reason though, they just think I'm being rude.
I resort to sticking my fingers in my ears but am afraid people with think I'm strange because of it!

Ah, the joys of OCD.
I'm glad to see yours is getting better though, and thanks very much for the reply.

As for the GP thing, I'm not an open person at all and am just not ready for that.

Sat Jul 24 2010 20:28:27 #
Merlin21
Member

I have this guy at work, who is just a very friendly and touchy feely kind of bloke, he has this very annoying habit of squeezing my arm, and attempting to squeeze my shoulders, unfortunately the only thing I can do in this situation is go and change my t-shirt (I have to take 2-3 spares with me to work). There is not an awful lot else I can do.

I found that when I was ready to speak to people about me it really did help. For me it was like a release that every ritual I described it was like a weight being lifted.

I hope you are able to get help soon.

Alex

Sat Jul 24 2010 21:09:00 #
Chelsey
Member

Hi, Alex.
Thank you for your reply.

How on Earth can you sit and let him touch you, without screaming at him to get away and leave you alone? I feel sorry for you, fella!

Everyone tells me that, but I've not really talked.
When I was younger I couldn't take about it to my family, despite some of them suffering themselves,
none of my friends ever knew about it, apart from one ex boyfriend who forced me to explain,
and I never spoke about it to my therapists, despite having them for a good few years.

Since then, though, I have spoken to my boyfriend, and a month ago I'd have never have spoken on here..
I shall keep it in mind, but as of yet, I don't feel willing enough.

Sat Jul 24 2010 21:36:09 #
Merlin21
Member

It really does my head in sometimes, I have said a few times please don't touch me, but he takes that as me messing about!

I was the same, I never wanted to speak to anyone about it, a couple of months ago I told my wife little bits but not enough for her to worry, about 2-3 days ago I had a really bad day, and decided to tell her absolutely everything, I now have her full support, and she is even doing research on it to try and understand herself a bit more about it. I found a documentary type film directed by an OCD sufferer which follows the lives of 4 families suffering with OCD. I am about to order it from Canada (only place that does it!) so I can watch it with my wife and family which should hopefully help explain what I am going through that much easier than I can.

My wife no longer looks at me like I am going mad.

Sat Jul 24 2010 21:50:14 #
Chelsey
Member

Just find something that really gets on his nerves and do it. A lot.
Is that petty? Haha.

I'm really glad that through the worse of times you found the strength to talk to you wife about it, and in doing so got her full support.
It's lovely to have someone there who tries to understand and who fully supports you with OCD.
Good luck for the future with this, and I hope things get much better for you.

Let me know about the documentary.

Sat Jul 24 2010 22:00:36 #
Merlin21
Member

I do!!!

Thank you.

Yeah good luck to you, I really hope you find the strength to speak to someone, it really does help.

I will for sure.

Sat Jul 24 2010 22:20:46 #
Unregistered

Same here. Noises really annoy me and then the OCD plays up meaning I cannot write which makes me get upset and cry and then the OCD plays up even more. What I find helps is creating your own noise to block it all out. For example, I play music really loud. Though lately my OCD hasn't been letting me do that... I need some Elvis. DESPRSATELY.

Sun Aug 1 2010 21:26:12 #