Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
414219
I have A LOT of experience with this. I do not have OCD but my husband does and his has to do with such thoughts and horrible feelings of guilt. We are also devoted Christians and church members. He gets through most of it with a lot of support from his family and with professional therapy. This is not something that is going to just go away you have to work on it every day. First you have to know that when Jesus died on the cross he didn't say ok I forgive every one but you. You deserve it just as much as anyone else. Even He forgave those who put him on the cross. You need to pray and be thankful of this everyday. Speak to God as your constant companion in everything you do and you feel the difference. He is your Father and loves you as such. Second try to find a counselor you are comfortable with that you can express you thoughts and feelings to so you can stop the cycle of thoughts roaring in your head. It also helps if you can write them down, make sure you write all of them down. You don't ever have to read them again and you can destroy the pages if you like but you should still write down your thoughts. \n\nFinally and this is important, we learned after several years of bad doctors and wrong medications that a heart condition can cause and worsen this problem. Its called mitral valve prolapse and it messes up the autonomic system so that your chemistry is never normal. You should be check out for this as your heart can get worse with time and sometimes a beta blocker used for high blood pressure can help with your thoughts. Until you do get your heart checked out be sure to stay away from any mental health drugs because this condition also alters their effects.\n\nMy husband and I have been dealing with this for 13 years, we have two children and he is making it through it just fine. Feel free to contact me anytime just click on my profile.
343253
Yes, this sounds like a case of OCD. It is characterized by unwanted thoughts that can interrupt your daily life. This site here...   \n\nhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189/DSECTION=2\n\nMight help you.
163140
The typical OCD sufferer performs tasks (or compulsions) to seek relief from obsessions. To others, these tasks may appear simple and unnecessary. But for the sufferer, such tasks can feel critically important, and must be performed in particular ways for fear of dire consequences and to stop the stress build up. Examples of these tasks: repeatedly checking that one's parked car has been locked before leaving it; turning lights on and off a set number of times before exiting a room; repeatedly washing hands at regular intervals throughout the day.\n\nOCD rituals are often bound up with intricate detail — detail that may seem arbitrary to outsiders. Smokers with OCD, for instance, may argue with themselves that quitting cigarettes is possible only on the 13th or 27th of a month, and only when they are in possession of four cigarettes at noon.\n\nAnother symptom of the disease is fear of contamination; some sufferers may fear the presence of human body secretion such as saliva, sweat, tears or mucus, or excretions such as urine or feces. Some OCD sufferers even fear the soap they're using is contaminated.(Source)\n\nObsessions are thoughts and ideas that the sufferer cannot stop thinking about. Common OCD obsessions include fears of acquiring disease, getting hurt, or causing harm to someone. Obsessions are typically automatic, frequent, distressing, and difficult to control or put an end to by themselves. People with OCD who obsess over hurting themselves or others are actually less likely to do so than the average person.\n\nCompulsions refer to actions that the person performs, usually repeatedly, in an attempt to make the obsession go away. For an OCD sufferer who obsesses about germs or contamination, for example, these compulsions often involve repeated cleansing or meticulous avoidance of trash and mess. Most of the time the actions become so regular that it is not a noticeable problem. Common compulsions include excessive washing and cleaning; checking; hoarding; repetitive actions such as touching, counting, arranging and ordering; and other ritualistic behaviors that the person feels will lessen the chances of provoking an obsession. Compulsions can be observable — washing, for instance — but they can also be mental rituals such as repeating words or phrases, or counting.\n\nMost OCD sufferers are aware that such thoughts and behavior are not rational, but feel bound to comply with them to fend off fears of panic or dread. Because sufferers are consciously aware of this irrationality but feel helpless to push it away, OCD is often regarded as one of the most vexing and frustrating of the major anxiety disorders.\n\nPeople who suffer from the separate and unrelated condition obsessive compulsive personality disorder are not aware of anything abnormal with them; they will readily explain why their actions are rational, and it is usually impossible to convince them otherwise. People who suffer with OCPD tend to derive pleasure from their obsessions or compulsions. Those with OCD do not derive pleasure but are ridden with anxiety. This is a significant difference between these disorders.\n\nEqually frequently, these rationalisations do not apply to the overall behavior, but to each instance individually; for example, a person compulsively checking their front door may argue that the time taken and stress caused by one more check of the front door is considerably less than the time and stress associated with being robbed, and thus the check is the better option. In practice, after that check, the individual is still not sure, and it is still better in terms of time and stress to do one more check, and this reasoning can continue as long as necessary.\n\nNot all OCD sufferers engage in compulsive behavior. Recent years have seen increased diagnoses of Pure Obsessional OCD, or "Pure O." This form of OCD is manifested entirely within the mind, and involves obsessive ruminations triggered by certain thou
28494
I don't know what triggers your OCD but I have a problem with cleaning the house, I can't stand a dirty house so when I realiza I am getting obsessive over it, I grab a bottle of water and leave the house for a while. I keep telling myself that my house is not dirty and it it only the OCD talking not my common sense. I refuse to go back in the house till I drink at least half the water then, go in and refuse to do anything till the other half is gone. By then I hve found other things I can be doing and the worst is over. It is so hard at first but it gets easier.
340236
It is Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD\nTreatment\nTwo forms of treatment are available for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavior therapy and antidepressant medications.\nCognitive behavior therapy\nThis form of psychological treatment involves retraining your thought patterns and routines so that compulsive behaviors are no longer necessary. One approach in particular is called exposure and response prevention. The therapy involves gradually exposing you to a feared object or obsession and teaching you different ways to deal with it, rather than performing your anxiety-reducing ritual or compulsion. During the course of treatment, your symptoms gradually decrease in frequency and intensity. Learning the techniques and new thought patterns takes effort and practice, but it's worth it. Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder show improvement of signs and symptoms with cognitive behavior therapy.\nCognitive behavior therapy may be especially helpful for children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder. A study published in the Oct. 27, 2004, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found that almost 40 percent of children receiving cognitive behavior therapy had a significant reduction in symptoms, while only about one in five children taking antidepressant medication alone did. However, the study found that the most effective treatment was combining cognitive behavior therapy with antidepressant medication. Almost 60 percent of the children in the study receiving the combination treatment reported remission of their symptoms.\nIt's important to find a therapist who is well trained in cognitive behavior therapy. Ask your doctor for a recommendation or contact the Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation at (203) 401-2070.\nCognitive behavior therapy isn't for everyone, though. As many as one in four people with obsessive-compulsive disorder refuses this treatment because it can be difficult.\nAntidepressant medications\nThese medications also may help relieve the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder:\n Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft). SSRIs work by enhancing the brain's ability to use serotonin, a chemical that helps brain cells send and receive messages. Doctors believe serotonin plays a crucial role in mood states. \n Tricyclic antidepressants such as clomipramine (Anafranil). \n\nBackground: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) as an anxiety disorder. It is characterized by distressing intrusive thoughts and/or repetitive actions that interfere with the individual's daily functioning. The DSM-IV criteria for OCD are as follows: \n\n\nThe individual expresses either obsessions or compulsions. Obsessions are defined by the following 4 criteria: \n\nRecurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images are experienced at some time during the disturbance as intrusive and inappropriate and cause marked anxiety and distress. \n\nThe thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply worries about real-life problems. \n\nThe person attempts to suppress or ignore such thoughts, impulses, or images or to neutralize them with some other thought or action. \n\nThe person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his/her own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion).\n\nCompulsions are defined by the following 2 criteria: \n\nThe person feels driven to perform repetitive behaviors (eg, hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (eg, praying, counting, repeating words silently) in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. \n\nThe behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or prev
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I can't say that you would qualify as someone with an obsessive-compulsive disorder, but based on your post, you are certainly heading in that direction. \n\nAmericans are very obssessed about germs, odors, and the such (so are the Japanese). It's made worse by our being constantly bombarded by commercials making the issue seem more important than it really is. \n\nWhile good hygiene is obviously important, it can be carried to extreme. The skin is your first barrier against disease, and you can break down that barrier by over-cleaning it, drying it out, and washing away the natural oils that coat our skin.\n\nAlso, compulsive cleaning and other acts that over-protect the body have the potential to actually lower your immunity because you are not allowing the body to be challenged by normal everyday bacteria. As a result, your body has less resistance to normal bacteria and can be even more susceptible to the dangerous ones when they come along.\n\nBeing aware that you have a problem is the first step. You say that you resist some of your urges to clean so that is a positive sign. But if you feel you are getting out of control, you might want to speak with a counselor and find out where these compulsions come from.\n\nGood luck it you.
338792
Probably obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).\nMost idealists do.
362348
Hi,\n\nObsessive Compulsive Disorder has to do primarily with brain chemistry and like other chemically-based "mental illnesses," it tends to show up or worsen during the teens and early twenties.  Brain chemistry might not be the actual cause, but like a lot of these things, OCD is probably "caused" by a combination of our brain chemistry, the stresses we've faced in our life, our environment, etc.\n\nI put a link to a basic fact sheet about the illness below.  That will be able to explain it to you a lot better than I will.\n\nI live in San Diego also and put a link to support groups and therapists.  At the bottom, you can find a therapist by specialty.  I'm a social worker.  Let me know if you are able to find what you need.  If not, I'd be happy to help you some more.\n\nTake care...
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Before you do anything else, you need to speak to your doctor.\nI can't stress this enough. Your doctor can point you in many directions, from psycholgical counseling to perscribing meds for obsessive compulsive disorder.\n\nTALK TO YOUR DOCTOR!!!
498369
This is called "body dysmorphic disorder". It basically summarizes a person who obsesses about their appearance for a long period of time.\n\nAlthough this is normal, some of the behavior you describe sounds very severe, and seems to fit the symptons of this disorder.
183983
Go see a psycologist. You might have obssesive compulsive disorder.
810957
It could be ocd (obsessive compulsive disorder), but you would have to read up on that, as only you know all the details of what you're feeling. You should really talk with your doctor as well.
692838
I have OCD as well. But not like you. I am just obsessive over being clean, and having things organized. Maybe you should see a doctor. It helps alot. Try reducing it first maybe...like whne you normally run around your bed 7 times...do it 6 and try not to do it again. OCD is very serious and its not just easy to overcome...so go slow, be patient...and good luck.
546940
You don't mention if you have tried to get professional help for dealing with this. There are some therapies which help people with OCD better cope with this disorder. And professionals who understand OCD could also help your family better understand what you are dealing with and why you can't just stop doing what you are doing. You need to support from outside your family. Often, there is a genetic component to OCD, so you may not be the only person in your family who has ever had this problem. (There is a strain of this in my family, but it involves the hording impulse instead of the washing impulse.) One thing that could help with your family, if you get cable, is to watch the show "Monk" on the USA Network. He's a detective who suffers from OCD. Even though it's fiction, it might help your family get some perspective on what your life is like and may make it easier for you to talk to them. Also, they need to understand that you are not unique, that a lot of other people share your problem.
977026
A psychologist specializing in phobias and anxiety treatment can help you. The condition is almost always curable.\nBest of luck.
364079
I've been there.  I have not been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder yet, but I do have trichtotillamania.  Trichtotillamania is very similar to OCD because the thoughts are repetitive.  Whenever I get stressed out, I HAVE TO pluck my hairs.  I am very obsessive about germs and counting, avoiding different things, eating an even number of M&M's or chips....making the table look perfectly even...doing things over and over.  I SHOULD be diagnosed, but it is not so much of a problem since it does not interfere with work or school.  Here's what I would recommend....since most people don't understand how the disorder works....\nObviously, try not to think about things, and if you do start thinking about doing something compulsive then you should focus on that and ONLY that, and do it.  It sounds like you aren't suffering from it as much as others that suffer from our problem.  Your treatment should take care of it, and, yes, it is normal for your therapist to be taking her time.\nAs far as depression goes, I was also diagnosed with manic depression.  My birthmother has bipolar disorder.  I'm not going into the differences.  However, I can tell you that Effexor XR helped me.  It may not help you because it depends on the meds they do put you on.  I had to counter the nervous effects of the antidepressant Effexor, with the anti-seizure medicine Neurontin.  So....let your psychiatrist decide what is best for you.  Do not stop taking your pills and tell your therapist if you feel any different.  Keeping a journal will help you keep track.  I hope this helps.  Good luck!
871560
Hi, OCD has the following, major presentations; first is Obsessive Decontamination where the sufferer experiences relentless cognitive intrusions regarding contamination and ritually cleans to avoid the feared consequence, second we have Obsessive counting, checking and ordering behaviours were the sufferer fears some catastrophic outcome if not allowed to, or inhibited from, performing their rituals, Third we have Obsessive Egodystonic ruminations where the suffer is tormented by relentless intrusive thoughts that suggest that they have performed some harmful act, like murder or child sexual abuse, that is contrary to their personality (Egodystonic).  There are sub-sets such as hording and primary obsessive slowness but these are much rarer.\n\nI treated OCD for over 25 years and it is nothing to do with your past, I have no doubt that has a neurobiochemical basis and if you are genetically proximate to a sufferer then you are more likely to develop OCD (first born male children have a greater risk).  It is NOT curable because it isn’t a disease it is, however, eminently treatable with a combination of medication and Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy.\n\nI don’t know if you have OCD, you need a proper assessment by a competent therapist; ask your GP for referral to your nearest CBT service and because the waiting lists are so long the sooner you do it the sooner you’ll be seen