Is this OCD?

Ian27 · Newbie User Joined: Sep 16, 2007 Posts: 6

Hi my name is Ian and I think I might have OCD.

For as long as I can remember I have had strange thoughts and impulses but until recently have never really sat down and thought about them too much - I just thought that everyone feels like this every now and again.
I have been reading a lot of the threads in this forum and I have to say that a lot of it makes sense to me.
One impulse that I have is to either walk or drive with my eyes shut for a couple of seconds to see if anything happens. I think to myself I wonder if I can keep my eyes shut for 10 seconds. I know its a stupid thing to do and I havent done the driving version for years but I was walking with my eyes shut only yesterday which is partly the reason why I looked into the symptoms of OCD.
There are loads of other crazy sounding things that I do - the wierd thing is that I know they are stupid but do them anyway.
One thing that I do which is quite upsetting for me is constantly worry that my girlfriend has been hurt or is dying. It sounds stupid me even writing this - but I have this thing about plastic bottles with lids - in particular the shampoo bottle - I cant shut the lid properly because if I do I worry that my girlfriend might not be able to breathe properly.
I am quite an introverted person and consequently don't have loads and loads of friends. I constantly worry that the friends that I do have secretly don't like me and don't want to talk to me when I phone them.
As you can see I have issues(!) Many many more than the ones I have written about, and would be really grateful to hear from anyone who has had similar experiences or can offer me some advice. Thanks in advance! Smile

Ian27 · Newbie User Joined: Sep 16, 2007 Posts: 6

Since I wrote the post above I have been waiting to go to bed (live in the UK - its 1am here!)- I couldnt go however, until my post had been read by 10 people even though I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. Thank you 10th person!!!

helencon21 · Newbie User Joined: Sep 13, 2007 Posts: 8 Location: uk

hi ian i hope u dont have a thing about eleven like my partner! u definatly have ocd... get some help, this is how my partner started. you need help asap. dont let this take over

Ian27 · Newbie User Joined: Sep 16, 2007 Posts: 6

Thanks for the reply. I've just read your posts and I am sorry that you are having such a hard time with your partner. It must be awful for you to have to deal with.

I don't really know how I should seek the 'help' that you suggest I get. Should I just go to my GP? Are they qualified to make that sort of diagnosis or is it likely that I will get referred?

I am already taking Efexor for depression which I have had for the past 3 years or so after having had surgery in 2004 for a benign brain tumour. Do you think that all this is likely to be related?

dottie · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:44 am Post subject:

you remind me of me.

_________________
“Patterning your life around other’s opinions is nothing more than slavery.” Lawana Blackwell

helencon21 · Newbie User Joined: Sep 13, 2007 Posts: 8 Location: uk

hi sorry didnt reply i had 2 get off quick. you should go to your gp and they can refer you for some cbt. it can work but its very hard work. you relly have to put your all into it.... this maybe related to your surgery, the brain is very complex and it could have contributed. cbt is better used in combination with ssris so its good that you already have them in your system.

helencon21 · Newbie User Joined: Sep 13, 2007 Posts: 8 Location: uk

hi again ive just re read your post. and the thing about your friends not liking you, that is anxiety and the basis of ocd is anxiety. once you remove that everything else falls into place. i have ptsd which also comes down to anxiety. its easy to see it but so hard to stop... especially when your thoughts absolutly terrify you, sometimes you cant see that its anxiety and you absolutly believe what your brain is telling you. thats why ocd is such a horrible thing, because you have to go against what your brain is telling you is real.its really lying to you to keep you safe but the process gets confused and its very hard to dismiss because the outcome could be so bad. like if you dont leave the shampoo cap open.. this will kill your girlfriend and it feels completly real to you because you believe your brain. ultimatly cbt will help you challenge these irrational thoughts, but it will be hard. keep me posted, id like 2 know how u get on.

Ian27 · Newbie User Joined: Sep 16, 2007 Posts: 6

Thanks for all the advice - Ive got a doctors appt on Monday. Will keep you posted.

Hope everything works out for you too

rado31 · Expert User Joined: Sep 15, 2006 Posts: 686

helencon21 · Newbie User Joined: Sep 13, 2007 Posts: 8 Location: uk

in answer to rado, there isnt a cure for ocd. cbt just helps you to cope with the symptoms and helps you recognise your ocd thoughts before they get out of control. but the therapist must be experianced in dealing with ocd, as it is a complex disorder, however the underlying problem with ocd is anxiety and it is possible to learn to cope with anxiety.