OCD Action

james
Member

hi, i am looking for some help for a long term problem. as like so many others from the outside i appear normal, go to work, socialise etc.
however i have some issues.
it all started from a job i had some years ago, which involved driving a company car. it was ok at first, but then the company replaced some cars and assigned me one. it all happened so quick and i had no say in what car i had, at first i thought i don't like it but i can always leave the job.
it might be relevant to say i was quite young and loved cars at the time, especially being able to choose my own.
i hated the car they bought, i still do, and can't bear to see one now.
for some reason i don't know how but i was still young and stayed in the job, probably because of money and fear of quitting, as it appeared to family/friends that i was in a good job etc.
after more than 2 years things got a lot worse, i had told them i didnt like the car and they said they were getting new ones soon,as if that would make things alright, well it was too late by then.
by this time though i was avoiding driving the car, and anything in the car started to become 'infected' or 'contaminated'. even myself, i had to wash clothes and shower/bath.
when i got the new car i had to discard a lot of things that had been in the old car.
then i started thinking of all the belongings of friends/family that had been in the car and were also infected, years later i am still thinking these things.
fast forward to now and i am aware of contaminted items, most problematic is a laminate flooring in my parents house. i avoid it, i try and wear slippers so i dont touch it. then i think anyone walking on the floor is contaminating other rooms floors etc.
i know this is a problem, but like i say no one else knows and is aware of my thoughts and actions.
i want to somehow find a solution if possible.
another example is i dont buy things second hand because they might have been in one of these cars, only new items i can be sure are ok.
i also avoid driving now as it means possibly seeing one of these cars again which makes me feel upset.
i have tried to explain this as well as i can without writing too much but if anyone is here who can help, please write back and if you want any more information just ask.
i look forward to any replies. thanks so much for reading.

Wed Feb 15 2012 16:31:45 #
Truddles
Member

Hi James,

Welcome to the forum

I'm not a professional but it does sound as if it could be OCD. The only way to be sure is to go to your GP, they will be able to refer you to a specialist who can confirm the diagnosis.
If you go to Resource Centre you will find information on OCD and a GP card that you can download, the card is designed for you to give to your GP and outlines some of the key things that they need to know.

Trudy

Wed Feb 15 2012 18:33:29 #
Truddles
Member

Hi James,

Welcome to the forum

I'm not a professional but it does sound as if it could be OCD. The only way to be sure is to go to your GP, they will be able to refer you to a specialist who can confirm the diagnosis.
If you go to Resource Centre you will find information on OCD and a GP card that you can download, the card is designed for you to give to your GP and outlines some of the key things that they need to know.

Trudy

Wed Feb 15 2012 18:35:12 #
james
Member

Hi Trudy
I'd rather not talk face to face about this it's kind of something I've kept to myself, as I can see the stupidity of it. However there is still something there telling me I must avoid any kind of contact with the offending object and the contaminated items.
The contamination thing is strange because if I touch anything with hands/feet then they can be cleaned, and clothes can be washed. However its things like carpets, that could be contaminated and not easy to clean.
I know my post was a bit long winded but I wanted to give some background, I look forward to any more replies.

Wed Feb 15 2012 22:23:43 #
Truddles
Member

Hi James,

It's difficult talking to someone initially, but no therapist would consider it stupid and there isn't anything you could say that they wont have heard before.
I too have real difficulty with objects that can't be cleaned easily such as carpets and my bed. In the past I've thrown out things that I perceive to be contaminated but no way could I afford to replace a carpet or a bed.
I'm sure that you will get more replies it's just quiet on the forum at the moment.

Wed Feb 15 2012 22:36:56 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Trudy, Hi James, welcome to the forums. As Trudy rightly says, a visit to someone who can help is a good thing to do. Your GP won't find this unusual, it is in the top ten most dibilitating illnesses there is. And it certainly does look like OCD. I don't drive at the moment, but that is more because of the sheer amount of medication I'm on, but that can be reduced. In fact I'm expecting to be told by a therapist (When it comes)that I should just get back in the car and drive, without retracing my journey several times, which is what I used to do. It is important that you share this... Your GP is bound by confidentiality, and should listen understandingly to what you have said. It could even work well if you print out your first post, and just take it along, with the GP note from resources that Trudy has suggested too, to your doctor. That is your first port of call. You can have medication to help, there's no shame in that. If you had a headache, you'd take an aspirin or whatever, this is good. Your GP, can refer you to a qualified, experienced therapist, who will be able to diagnose, and treat your symptoms. The problem shared problem halved might happen here. It isn't easy, but you can get through this... I too had a thing about getting germs off the petrol pumps, and on the steering wheel. I used to put my favourite music on in the car to make it more bearable. Even air fresheners to kill the horrible smells in the car. Anyway, do get some help, cos this isn't something to try and face alone. And very often our nearest and dearest cannot understand, likewise work colleagues. You have to experience it to know what it feels like, and that is what you are doing now. Hope this helps a bit.
Wannabe

Thu Feb 16 2012 21:06:28 #
Twitchy
Member

Hi James, i can understand how difficult it is to talk to the doctor but you need to talk to someone to get you on the road to recovery.I went to see my GP after years of suffering and wish i'd have done it sooner.It is a big step but i found once i told my GP all my symptoms and he said 'yes that's OCD' it made feel a bit better before any other treatment. Also keep on the forum because i have found that reading what other people are going through helps me tremendously and to be able to talk to fellow OCD sufferers is a saviour.

Sat Feb 18 2012 10:45:29 #
wannabefree
Member

Hows it goin today James? Hopefully a little better since you have shared on here. And you, Twitchy, how are you getting on these days?
Wannabe

Sat Feb 18 2012 21:47:32 #
daisychain7
Member

Hi James,

Welcome to the forum. It certainly sounds like you have OCD. It's worth seeing your GP about your OCD but I know how hard this can be. I saw my GP for the first time back in June and I felt so nervous and distressed that I can't quite remember how I got through the appointment, I was referred to a CPN who gave me the diagnosis of OCD (initially I thought I had impulse control disorder). I was the referred to a CBT therapist but personally didn't find therapy useful as I wasn't very responsive to it, this is probably due to the nature of my problem or my personality in general, CBT isn't a solution for everyone but it's worth taking if you're offered it.

If you really do fear seeking help via your GP, and would rather keep your problem to yourself but also overcome it, it's worth checking out a book called "Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder". A friend who is a psychological therapist recommended the book to me and I found it very useful. It discusses what OCD, possible explanations for your OCD and how to overcome OCD using self-help CBT. Here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-David/dp/1849010722/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329607386&sr=8-1

I hope that this helps

Sat Feb 18 2012 23:23:43 #
Twitchy
Member

Hey Wannabe, i'm improving a bit but still battling with my brain daily. Had lots of family stuff going on which isn't helping. How are you?

Sun Feb 19 2012 8:17:33 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Twitchy, I'm not too bad... I've been struggling a bit with the computer, but I think I've got it sorted now, at least for the moment. I'm coping with a catheter at the moment, which is some fun, I can tell you! I cope with it a day at a time, sometimes a minute at a time! The weather outside is cold but beautiful, the sun beaming in, and the sky blue. There's no daffodils yet, but should be soon, the promise of hope for summer and warmer weather. All in all, not doing too bad. I'm still waiting for the CBT to come up, hopefully it wont be very long now.
Wannabe

Sun Feb 19 2012 16:02:25 #
james
Member

thanks for the messages
the strange thing is that with my problem the contamination comes from an object which won't always be around. the car is no longer made and will eventually go away, whereas a fear of a spider or something will always be there.
if i moved out of the country, the problem would be gone, apart from the thoughts which i have learned to ignore / not energise to some extent..

Tue Feb 21 2012 16:28:03 #
kiran
Member

my god.. Am glad to c dis place.. I hav been suffering wid ocd since 20yrs.. Countng everythng to a even number.. Touching everythng to a even number.. Even tv volume to a even number..and feeling soooo sad.. And my family absolutely neva understood ot.. Open world dnt knw abt my ocd thoughts.. I hide all of dem.. I touch things repeatedly.. Even in tense situations.. I used to recall names of some frnds in mah mind number of times.. ocd is at his highest level in my life.. And wen i was happy i feels a little better.. But after my cheating.. my ollll symptoms came back.. And moredan anythng i hav to fight wid ocd.. Everyday.. nd it created somany psychological problems to me.. Nd no one is der to listen my problems..no one can understand.. But first time i hav seen a place where all my family persons r there.. My family means ocd sufferers.. But i still blieve i can beat it

Tue Feb 21 2012 18:40:03 #
kiran
Member

my god.. Am glad to c dis place.. I hav been suffering wid ocd since 20yrs.. Countng everythng to a even number.. Touching everythng to a even number.. Even tv volume to a even number..and feeling soooo sad.. And my family absolutely neva understood ot.. Open world dnt knw abt my ocd thoughts.. I hide all of dem.. I touch things repeatedly.. Even in tense situations.. I used to recall names of some frnds in mah mind number of times.. ocd is at his highest level in my life.. And wen i was happy i feels a little better.. But after my cheating.. my ollll symptoms came back.. And moredan anythng i hav to fight wid ocd.. Everyday.. nd it created somany psychological problems to me.. Nd no one is der to listen my problems..no one can understand.. But first time i hav seen a place where all my family persons r there.. My family means ocd sufferers.. But i still blieve i can beat it

Tue Feb 21 2012 18:40:52 #
kiran
Member

my wife cheated me and all my problems worsen.. C ere also i posted twice.. Dats wat my ocd..

Tue Feb 21 2012 18:41:57 #
kiran
Member

plz people suggest me some tips..and help me..

Tue Feb 21 2012 18:42:56 #
Tess
Member

Hi Kiran
Have a look through this thread, maybe some of the tips will help you.
http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/the-ocd-action-forums-101-tips-for-people-with-ocd-guide

Wed Feb 22 2012 10:15:07 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Tess, Hi Kiran, I agree with Tess here, If you explore this website you'll find lots of useful stuff... Also check out your local library, and bookshop for any books you can find. Surfing the internet isn't a good thing because there is a lot of unsettling stuff out there, and that is the last thing you need right now. But this website is really good. Also; Can you involve your GP in this? It may help if you can use medications to help. Also, your GP can refer you for Cognitive behavioural therapy, a well used thing to try... Stick with it my friend, it is a scary journey, but it will be worth it in the end...
Wannabe

Wed Feb 22 2012 17:11:37 #
Mike
Member

Hi James,

As everyone else has said, you almost definitely have OCD. There are three non-mutually exclusive evidence-based treatments for OCD: behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, and medication. I favor therapy over medication because therapy teaches you how to deal with and react to the bad thoughts, whereas medication aims simply to lower your overall anxiety/obsessions to make it more manageable, but does nothing in teaching you how to cope. Also, studies have shown that medication is probably no more effective than the best therapies, and therapies + medication may be no better than therapy alone. However, medication is required for many patients, because without it the anxiety and obsessions are simply unmanageable.

I don't know how it is in the UK but in the US if you go to a psychiatrist, you will likely not even hear about cognitive behavioral therapy - rather, the doctor will go straight to recommending prescriptions. That's a very biased approach, considering that the therapies may be even more effective than medications, and without side effects.

Cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy take almost exact opposite approaches. Behavioral therapy has been around for longer and has the most research done on it, and aims to reduce obsessions by exposure and response prevention (ERP). It comes from the very fundamental theory that the best way to overcome a fear is by exposing yourself to it. For you, this would mean exposing yourself to any object or item you think is contaminated, and refusing to do any compulsions such as washing your hands afterwards. The rationale behind ERP is that OCD is caused by an inability to tolerate uncertainty. For you, you cannot tolerate the possibility that these items are contaminated. You have no evidence, but just the sheer possibility that they are contaminated is unacceptable to you. Accepting uncertainties is required to live a normal, healthy life (just think about all the uncertainty you live with every day), and so the goal of ERP is to train your mind to accept uncertainty with regards to the topic of your OCD, just as you do in every other aspect of life.

Cognitive therapy theorizes that OCD is caused by cognitive distortions (one of which is inability to tolerate uncertainty), and the therapy aims to correct those cognitive distortions by pointing them out to the patient, analyzing them, and convincing the patient that his/her fears are unfounded, anxiety is excessive, etc. Basically, it's an attempt to use logic to change emotion. This never worked for me, but it's worked for some people.

In a nutshell, ERP forces you to accept the possibility that your fears are true, and make you accept that as a fact of life, whereas cognitive therapy tries to reassure you that your fears are probably not true, based on evidence.

-Mike

Wed Feb 22 2012 21:53:29 #