OCD Action

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slogsweep
Member

Yes me too, a pain in the neck. I don't know how I'm put up with but thankfully I am!

Wishing a better week to you all, keep us posted

Slog

Sun Jan 8 2012 21:27:11 #
Tess
Member

Mike, in answer to your question I used to suffer very badly with depression, in fact I think depression preceded the onset of OCD as the first hint I had that anything was wrong - and this was in about 1967/8 - was that I started to feel generally unwell and tired all the time. I went to the GP and he checked me out, could not find anything physically wrong and then asked "are you depressed?" at which point I burst into tears and said "no, I don't think so"! He gave me some pills but I don't know what they were. Then about two years later OCD arrived big time accompanied by suicidal depression. Since I stated on seroxat in 1992 I have been able to keep the depression at bay as long as I also keep stress at bay.

Mon Jan 9 2012 9:35:10 #
Mike
Member

That's great that medication has helped you. As of right now, is OCD the bigger problem for you, or depression? I'm thinking maybe part of the reason the CBT didn't help you might be because of the co-morbidity.

Mon Jan 9 2012 18:27:25 #
chloe
Member

So sorry to interupt your discussion, but it must be absolutely wonderful to have a supporting partner. I've only tried a couple of times to tell my husband [we have been together 23 years] he dosn't understand and even laughed when I first tried to explain my problem. How I wish that I could talk to him. As I say i'm sorry to interupt you, but I envy you all. Chloe

Mon Jan 9 2012 19:14:41 #
slogsweep
Member

I'm sorry Chloe, but some people can't comprehend mental illness. My dad doesn't really get why I am like I am either. The important thing is that there is support out there for you and we're all more than happy to provide it.

If he loves you, which I'm sure he does, and you sit down and stress how bad your problem is to live with, I'm certain he'd try to get his head around OCD.

What we are is so irrational that it must be difficult for everyone to understand.

Sorry if we've made you feel a little low,
Slog

Mon Jan 9 2012 19:17:47 #
chloe
Member

Hi Slog
Please don't be sorry, I don't want you to feel bad. I understand how difficult OCD is to try and understand and I'm so thankful to all you lovely people who care.
I'm sorry to have intruded on this thread.

Your support has been life saving.

Chloe

Mon Jan 9 2012 19:29:05 #
slogsweep
Member

"I'm sorry to have intruded on this thread"

Chloe you absolutely haven't intruded! You've contributed. I hope you're feeling ok. Never worry about commenting your thoughts are always welcome no matter what they may be,

Slog

Mon Jan 9 2012 19:42:54 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Chloe, You've not intruded, but made a valid point. My other half gets very annoyed with me and my washing compulsions... I try so hard to resist the compulsions, but it is difficult. I think there is resentment there too, cos I wasn't like this when we met, at least I don't think I was. It certainly wasn't as bad.
Wannabe

Mon Jan 9 2012 19:46:17 #
njb
Member

Chloe - You have not intruded in any shape or form and have contributed as Slog has said.

I told my wife years ago but believe me it is a double edged sword as I posted earlier. Who knows what is best and how people will react.

Its like experiencing stressful life events - you never know how anyone will react/support you. In my experience the people you think will be there and those who are there are sometimes different to that which you imagined. I think this is down to being able to understand the gravity of the situation and of course the individual being able to interpret, comprehend and articulate in a useful way how they may wish to help you. For example, before my OCD actually caused the anxiety to a level where it affected my life I would not have been a great friend to confide in about mental health. Now I have experience and can empathise/advise and so on (everyone with OCD bar me of course !). I have one friend who is a very close friend yet he does not know about my mental health and he's never asked about the death of my mum yet when his father died, both leading up to it and since I ask about him and his mum. This doesn't mean anything because I know that is the way he is. I guess I'm making the point a long way round that sometimes the person doesn't know how to help or communicate this especially where they just want to magic it away.

Anyway - I am waffling as always.

Tess - I read your post and my heart goes out to you. How brave having put up with so much for so long. You are an inspiration and I could see you sitting in the Doctors replying 'no I don't think so'. Bless you.

Slog - As always thanks for being around. Your posts help me so much.

x

Mon Jan 9 2012 20:02:22 #
chloe
Member

Thank you all so very much for your replies. Don't know what I'd do without you.
Chloe XXXX

Mon Jan 9 2012 20:18:47 #
Tess
Member

Mike, I've never had CBT or even been offered it, I think my GP's view is if it ain't broke don't mend it. I've been so ill in the past before SSRI's came onto the market (requiring lengthy periods of in-patient care) and I've done so well on meds alone that no-one, including myself, wants to mess about with the status quo. As for whether the depression or OCD are worse as at now, neither is a huge deal as long as I keep taking the meds, keep all unnecessary stress at bay and live a healthy lifestyle. There are some things I have to do, like wearing clean clothes indoors which I would prefer not to have to do, and some things which I would like to be able to but don't, such as going out for a walk on a lovely sunny evening (note, I don't say can't) because the OCD raises too many complications so I guess the answer to your question is that the OCD is worse than the depression. But if I really challenge the OCD hard then the depression hits in big time and becomes more debilitating than the OCD. However, I have learned not to seek 100% perfect cure and to be satisfied and grateful for the extent of my recovery and for stability in my mental health.
Chloe, I agree wholeheartedly with the others, it's lovely to see you joining in with the discussions.

Tue Jan 10 2012 10:55:21 #