OCD Action

sillybilly
Member

Hi

Does anybody get the intrusive thought of looking at the sun until it blinds you. It's a relatively new obsession of mine, I've had the violent thoughts in the past (getting anxious when around knives or sharp objects for fear of stabbing myself or someone else) however was wondering if this sun fear is common?

Another obsession is that I get is fear of hot objects, like i use to smoke and would fear stumbinf cigarettes out in my eye or face and the need to touch hot stoves several times to make sire their off??

Any1 get these?? I don't even know if I'm an obsessive compulsive!

Mon Feb 13 2012 19:55:25 #
sillybilly
Member

And does anybody know how to edit or delete posts???

Mon Feb 13 2012 20:17:09 #
Nimrod
Key Master

You can edit and delete your posts for five minutes after you have posted them. This is to enable you to edit typos or to change your mind about posting. The reason you can't edit/delete after that is because if other forum members have replied to your post it can make their post read like nonsense and given the nature of OCD this can be extremely distressing. The majority od our members agree with this.

Some forum members find it helpful when replying to a thread or posting to compose using the wordprocessor or notepad or similar and then copy and paste to the forum posting form. This gives the opportunity to check and edit your post before posting and is also helpful especially if you have a long posting because you can save it and don't have to complete it all in one go.

Nimrod

Mon Feb 13 2012 22:40:25 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Billy (I'm sure you aint silly!) This sounds like the compulsion to touch something hot, as if to 'prove' it won't hurt, or maye the sense of 'pleasure' that can sometimes be gained by self harm, should things get that bad. It is important not to look at the sun too much, otherwise genuine possiblt irreversible damage could be done to your sight. I don't know what to suggest really, I wish I did, cos I'm trying to put myself in your shoes, and figure out what I would do. How are you today?
Wannabe

Thu Feb 16 2012 21:51:19 #
Cuthbert ffoliott
Moderator

Hi Sillybilly -

I would say that that what we are afraid of to do, the compulsion itself, and the act of performing it in reality, are different things.

It is sad that in your case the anxiety had taken such an extremely concrete and self-harming form. I once had a friend who, during heavy hangovers, did not dare to go near knives, forks, and suchlike, out of pure fear that he would take up something and cut himself.

It was only very later in life that I realised that he'd caused, with drinking very much alcohol, some dormant form of OCD to awake, and rear its head.

He never performed such an act, I must add.

I am certain that in these cases, a form of guilt is at work. Excuse me if I asked this before (there are so many members here): did you even talk to a therapist about your guilt? For now, I would assume that this would be an excellent starting point (and target) to address. Granted that such forms of therapy aren't a guaranteed success, they can really be helpful to resolve inner conflict (of which guilt is an expression in one's mind).

Always feel free to PM, kind regards,

Cuthbert.

Fri Feb 17 2012 13:46:10 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi guys... Here's hoping you Billy, and you Cuthbert are doing okay? I'm just about to give up on the day and go to bed. I hate this OCD when I'm tired...
Wannabe

Sat Feb 18 2012 21:56:43 #
sillybilly
Member

I an really struggling today. The urge is getting out if control. I feel like crying.

Thu Feb 23 2012 12:45:49 #
Sappy
Member

I also feel like you do when I get close to sharp objects like knives :S

Thu Feb 23 2012 14:08:28 #
sillybilly
Member

I have that too Sappy, although its not as bad as it was. I use to wear mits so it was more difficult to pick up a knife, if I gave into ny urge, which doesn't happen though. I would think I would stab myself with this urge. I get the need to inspect things I walk past and assess whether they caused harm or not.

Thu Feb 23 2012 14:13:11 #
BT
Member

After reading the book Passing for Normal, I am very confused as to how two conditions (Tourette’s and OCD) that are so closely linked (genetically) can have similar yet very different symptoms. Amy Wilensky mentions her urge to stare at the sun, which she actually does, even though she realises it could blind her. Whereas those of us with just OCD fear we will do such things but never do. Does anyone else find this bizarre?!

Sun Apr 8 2012 11:50:35 #