OCD Action

Carboy
Member

Hi all,

as you can see from my other post "my OCD predominately work related" I have OCD which makes
me worry about the accuracy of formal documents. This started when I worked for a well known prestigous company where everything had to be perfect. The thing is I loved the actual job and havE just been through an extensive recruitment process and have been offered a job starting in sept - it's in an industry I love I have had a passion for the products they mak all my life. My job ATM is less intensive in terms of the need for accuracy but I nevertheless suffer from OCD.

Do I go though with this new job and tackle my OCD head on or reconsider completly and go fora
more relaxed and lower paid job?

Sun Apr 4 2010 9:18:11 #
poppyfields
Member

Hi Carboy

Can you live with yourself if you don't give it a try and let the ocd win without a fight? That's the way i see it. Pops

Sun Apr 4 2010 10:04:08 #
Belleuk
Member

I can empathise with your situation although my own situation is somewhat different. OCD has affected my work, whether it be as a student or employee. I am a complete perfectionist and have the highest standards with regards to everything that I do. In some ways, this has been a good thing. I would never have achieved half of what I've achieved were it not for my OCD. In other ways, however, it has stressed me out terribly.
If you've seen my other posts, you'll see that I graduated with a masters degree in Dec., 2008. Due to the economic climate, however, I've been unable to get a suitable job and have been working part time in a job that I was doing before I even left school. I've been off sick for about three months now. My anxiety levels have gone through the roof. This is partly because I've been trying so hard to get a better job to no avail but it's also because I just do not belong in that type of workplace. I don't mean to sound bigheaded, but I know that I'm so much better than that job. I look at my peers and superiors there, and all that I can see are faults and incompetence. Their standards fall far short of my own.
I would do anything to be in a more challenging job where my anxiety was being caused by my wish to succeed and produce work of the highest possible standard than being in this thankless position where my anxiety is being caused by feelings of isolation and a complete lack of achievement.
This job that you've been offered presents you with a challenge, not only because it sounds like a decent position of work but also because it will force you to face your OCD head on. The OCD may well help you to do your job well and you must acknowledge that fact but you must also create a balance whereby your standards do not become detrimental to your health. It can be difficult but it's possible and, when that balance occurs, can produce the most amazing sense of achievement.
I'm not sure if this makes much sense (back to my perfectionism) but it's always so difficult to express such deep feelings. I just thought that it might be useful for you to see the other side of the coin. I do hope it helps and wish you well in whatever you decide.

Sun Apr 4 2010 22:01:11 #
Belleuk
Member

I'm going to look so stupid now but I'm in a panic and can't sleep for worrying about my last post. I came back online to delete it but can't see how to do that. I don't want to influence your decision in any way. Only you can know what's right for you. I'm always terrified that I may offend someone when I write something on here. I just hope that sharing my experience may show things from another angle.

Sun Apr 4 2010 23:29:58 #
Nimrod
Key Master

Hi Belleuk,

The policy on this forum is that posts can only be edited or deleted within five minutes of posting. This is because if an earlier post to which there have been replies is edited or deleted then it can make the replies look nonsense or irrelevant and this can be very upsetting, perhaps due to the sensitivities associated with OCD, to those making the replies. If after that time your posting is causing you undue distress then contact myself or any of the moderators via a PM (private message) who are able to edit/delete at their discretion.

Some forum members find it helpful to compose a posting using the wordprocessor or similar and then copy and paste to the posting form. This gives the opportunity to check and change before posting plus if it is a long posting you can save it and go back to it rather than having to complete it in one go.

Best wishes,
Caps

Mon Apr 5 2010 8:29:30 #
Carboy
Member

Hi people,

Many thanks for your responses, very much appreciate them. Your comments have actually made me feel realy positive about taking this oppertunity and going for it. Your comments made me think more about the positive side of things and that it's better to challenge OCD head on rather than letting it rule my life. It's also intersting to hear about the negative effects that a less challenging role can have on OCD as I was thinking of doing this a few months ago.

Thanks people

Mon Apr 5 2010 22:09:38 #
Rena32
Member

Go for it Carboy!!!! Don't let the OCD win, believe me, I have been where you are, I know how it feels. You GO!!! Challenge the OCD head on, that is the right attitude, I bet you will do great!!!

Wed Apr 7 2010 2:57:35 #
swan
Member

Hi,
Couple of years ago I nearly lost my job but faught my employers and won, ( I did change teams for fresh teams)telling you this because at weekends and evenings I feel that Im totally not able to do my job but once I get to work I am able to get on with it. I have been working in my present teanm since nov 2008 and my colleagues are still not aware that I have ocd. So all the very best and enjoy your job.

Fri Apr 9 2010 15:59:31 #