OCD Action

Nigel
Member

Hi all,

I have checking OCD and having been made redundant I kept thinking I may have left something in the office before I left.

I checked numerously and only handed back a cabinet key after I had emptied it.

I spent days worrying about it and then I had other OCD incidents I focussed on on I felt the office one was in the past.

Now today, other OCD incidents have past why is the office checking think stopping me from doing anything it was weeks ago and I feel I am back there again and I'm very anxious.

I don't know what to do, I could get into trouble if I check and I don't think I need to check. Should I tell my former employers about it so they allow me to check or will i think maybe they hid what was in there?

I feel like screaming!!!

Thanks
Nigel

Wed Aug 11 2010 11:15:37 #
Truddles
Member

Hi Nigel,

I could get into trouble if I check and I don't think I need to check.

You’ve answered your own question, you don’t need to check. You’ve been back numerous times to check, you’ve also on numerous occasions taken friends to check for you. Both you and your friends have checked and you’ve left nothing.
Also if you return now you potentially could be in serious trouble.

You’ve also answered another question
Should I tell my former employers about it so they allow me to check or will i think maybe they hid what was in there?
so there’s no point as the OCD wont believe them anyway.

Amz replied to your thread 'Please tell me what you think!!!' Did you try any of what she suggested to try to lower the anxiety?

The more you check and the more that you seek reassurance the worse it gets - I should know I was a master at checking and seeking reassurance. It's not easy at first and it can make you really anxious but it's nothing compared with the anxiety that the OCD bully causes.

Make a list of all your OCD problems and then keep a record of all your OCD achievements, that is every time that you manage to accomplish something that you couldn't previously do because of the OCD. Then when you're having a bad day you can look back and say 'I might be having a bad day but look how far I've come!' List them however small the achievement.

Things will get better. Don't be so hard on yourself, you've had a rough time recently and it takes time to get over it.

Trudy

Wed Aug 11 2010 11:41:25 #
Nigel
Member

Hi Trudy, thank you!

I am so glad I have you and other friends on this forum. I wish I could have a pocket size version in my pocket. Actually there's an idea. I could look through the messages and make inspirational notes!

I will try the anxiety reducing techniques now that Amz suggested.

Hey, I don't know why but I just thought they should invent a OCD computer game for people without OCD to understand. You get points for checking and touching things. We shouldn't play it though!

Speak soon.

Nigel

Wed Aug 11 2010 11:59:56 #
Truddles
Member

Hi Nigel,

Why thank you kind sir

There’s plenty of inspiration to be gained from the posts on the forum.

Have you tried any of the techniques that Amz suggested?

You’ve just been made redundant and so you need to re-establish a routine for yourself or the OCD will take over
You could stick to work hours and during that time find other things to keep yourself occupied – though not any that involve checking . OCD loves it when we’re bored or have nothing to do.

You mentioned an OCD game where you get points for checking and touching. Well why not do the reverse the idea and give yourself points every time that you don’t? Collect the points and then turn them into a special treat

Every time that we manage to stop a compulsion we need to acknowledge that, we’re quick enough to punish ourselves when we do the compulsions but not so quick to praise ourselves for not doing them

Have a look at the presentation by Professor Paul Salkovskis entitled 'Making CBT work' details of how to access it are on the thread with the same name.

Trudy

Sat Aug 14 2010 13:35:46 #
Cuthbert ffoliott
Moderator

Truddles has spoken wisely. I have nothing to add, except for confirming that the more one checks, the more one loses self-confidence, and therefore the pressure to check again gets more intense. It's the devilish vicious circle of OCD. It may take a while, but eventually one may arrive at the point where one and just one check is enough. I say 'may', some of us won't get there, but don't let that deter anyone to strive for it. If one succeeds, it's one of the greatest victories in life, really.

Nigel, wishing you all the best, your partner-in-checking,

Cuthbert.

Sun Aug 15 2010 10:16:14 #