diagnosed OCD

[luv4godremains]

I don't trust or believe it, I just don't know, I find it really hard to believe, peopel have been teasing em and taking the p*ss outta me for about 2 years about my hygeine things, and there are certain thoguhts I have and I aint told/been asked bout bad thoughts like that, but I was diagnosed with OCD, it's only mild, but I stil can't believe it, pelase can you guys just pray that either I would prove to others that I don't have it and am fine, or that I would learn to accept it and keep it under control. thanks

 

[heffalump_hunter]

I will certainly keep you in my prayers luv4godremains.

May I suggest that perhaps you might see another doctor for a second opinion if you have your doubts?

God bless you.

 

[Jebediah]

I don't trust or believe it, I just don't know, I find it really hard to believe, peopel have been teasing em and taking the p*ss outta me for about 2 years about my hygeine things, and there are certain thoguhts I have and I aint told/been asked bout bad thoughts like that, but I was diagnosed with OCD, it's only mild, but I stil can't believe it, pelase can you guys just pray that either I would prove to others that I don't have it and am fine, or that I would learn to accept it and keep it under control. thanks

You're in my prayers, kiddo. But take psychiatric diagnoses with a small Peruvian salt mine...I have a laundry list from when I was a kid during the great 80s. It was fad during that time to throw your kids into mental health to avoid dealing with the problems of teenage years, and the hospitals got more money the more things they were treating you for, so the more diagnoses the more money for them from my insurance. Remarkably, when the insurance ran out, all those "dangerous" diagnoses became irrelevant and I was "cured".

So pray on it, and see if you can get a second or third opinion (and before you get diagnosed make it clear to the doctor that you will not be getting any further services after diagnosis from them....remove all motive of greed).

I hope you do better, take care and God bless!

 

[luv4godremains]

thankfully it's not something we pay for, it's goverment payed, and they have a REALLY long waiting list for people, so they will ALWAYS be treating or helping someone with something! the woman we have seems really nice like she just wants to help, but as always, I don't trust her, even though I probably should be able to! but hey, I'm kinda acepting it now cos my hands get exzma really bad at the moment cos I am almost ALWAYS washing them, and I know it's not normal, but I can't help it, and I do constantly clean, and have thoughts I can't get id of and stuff, I guess I just don't want to accept it! It's just hard, maybe I can turn it into a good thing, get it under control even more so that it's not harming me or anyone else, and then justbe a REALLY clean healthy person!? sorry, just babbling now, very tired!

 

[heffalump_hunter]

thankfully it's not something we pay for, it's goverment payed, and they have a REALLY long waiting list for people, so they will ALWAYS be treating or helping someone with something! the woman we have seems really nice like she just wants to help, but as always, I don't trust her, even though I probably should be able to! but hey, I'm kinda acepting it now cos my hands get exzma really bad at the moment cos I am almost ALWAYS washing them, and I know it's not normal, but I can't help it, and I do constantly clean, and have thoughts I can't get id of and stuff, I guess I just don't want to accept it! It's just hard, maybe I can turn it into a good thing, get it under control even more so that it's not harming me or anyone else, and then justbe a REALLY clean healthy person!? sorry, just babbling now, very tired!

When I was first diagnosed with depression I didn't want to accept it either luv4godremains. It isn't easy. Society has in the past placed a stigma on people with "mental illness". Society is changing slowly.

With time your uneasiness with the diagnosis will likely change to a more comfortable level. Until then keep up what you are doing and look for support(s) that understand what you are going through. Good understanding friends can help make a rough time easier.

You will be in my prayers. God bless you.

 

[luv4godremains]

thanks hh,

my bf is good support, he gets a little annoyed at times, but he understands cos it seems like he probably does too, or very close to it! He knows how it feels to have people pickin on u bout it, 2 get frustrated not being able to stop yourself from the compulsive acts if u try to, he understands!

Other than that, I'm on my own, which sucks cos he lives ages away, not easy to get support for it, but it's ok, am coping a lil better than before!

I think one of the hardest things to deal with is the "list" of things, or "disorders" she was writing down, recovering anorexic, depressed, OCD, anxiety disorder, SI, the list goes on, and I think it's just ahrder tor ealise it's another things they've diagnosed me with, the worst bit of it is, I know in my heart, they're right, and I need to find a way to change it to just being a thing of the past!

sorry, babbling again!

neways, thanks hh, I think I may have a couple of mates who if I talk to them about it, they'll stop teasing and support me, I hope so anyway cos I can't cope with school without that! *sigh*

 

[GreyWing]

You seem to be in the same situation I'm in. Earlier this year I was diagnosed with depression, an anxiety disorder, and OCD, and more recently my counselor has been insisting I'm anorexic (5'1" 94 lbs).

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is believed to be genetic, so if you could find another family member that might also have it, talk to them about it. My father and grandfather both have it, and it's nice to know that there's somebody close who understands. I understand what it's like to be made fun of for it, too. My mother and step-father are the worst about it, and they're always asking if I'm remembering to take my medication. I can't help you with accepting it, because I accepted it from the start. I'm even proud of it, and as long as you can laugh it off, it's not as difficult.

The anxiety, with medication, is much easier to cope with, at least for me. OCD isn't just a chemical imbalance, it's a deep-rooted, habitual disorder. It takes a long time of concentration and control before it will start to get better.

As for the anorexia... I don't know what your situation was with that. I've had people tell me I'm anorexic, but I don't conciously starve myself or force myself to eat less. A lot of it is from the anxiety disorder, which makes me sick if I eat too much or if I eat certain foods I somehow associate with illness. If that was your problem, then you weren't anorexic. That couldn't be helped, and it wasn't your fault.

My advice is terrible. But I had to throw my cents in because I'm a blabbermouth. And you need a hug!

 

[luv4godremains]

thanks hun, it does help, especially to know I'm not the only one!

the anorexia was actually anorexia, not cos of this stuff, all of this is supposedly rooted from the depression, but, meh, I dunno, I'm just confused about it, I mean, surely I can live a happy and healthy life by ignoring it?! it's not like it's bad or anything, hey, I'm just extra clean and a lil paraniod! lol I dunno, certain things about it I wish would go, I started cleaning again last night and the looks my m8 laura gave me, grrrr, they really made me angry cos she was looking at me as if to say "sure, you don't have OCD" but hey, sorry, ranting!

anyways, thanks everyone! it's all helped!

 

[GreyWing]

There shouldn't be anything wrong with being super-clean. At least your pad wouldn't look like a tornado struck it... Or have moldy "science projects" growing in the fridge like we do.

 

[luv4godremains]

Thanks GreyWing, the only problem I have with it really is when I have to go get soap and water and tissue/clothes fromt he toilets at school or in restaurants cos the tables aren't clean enough touch,and then sit there scrubbing at it for like 45 minutes!



I'm confuddled now, my hands are REALLY sore and dry, my ezcma has come up worse than ever before, I mean, I know one of the reasons I get ezcma is cos Iw ash my hands too much supposedly, but this is rediculous, it's almost agony to write, and typing isn't much better!

my hands have bled all ovre and I'm starting to get ezcma on my stomache and legs and I've never had it anywhere other than my hands and face before! it's sooooo sore! how can I get rid of it without aggrivating it and making it worse or stopping cleaning and washing my hands? is there any way? cos most products I can't use cos they tend to either make it worse or make my allergies flare up! any ideas?

 

[GreyWing]

Thanks GreyWing, the only problem I have with it really is when I have to go get soap and water and tissue/clothes fromt he toilets at school or in restaurants cos the tables aren't clean enough touch,and then sit there scrubbing at it for like 45 minutes!



I'm confuddled now, my hands are REALLY sore and dry, my ezcma has come up worse than ever before, I mean, I know one of the reasons I get ezcma is cos Iw ash my hands too much supposedly, but this is rediculous, it's almost agony to write, and typing isn't much better!

my hands have bled all ovre and I'm starting to get ezcma on my stomache and legs and I've never had it anywhere other than my hands and face before! it's sooooo sore! how can I get rid of it without aggrivating it and making it worse or stopping cleaning and washing my hands? is there any way? cos most products I can't use cos they tend to either make it worse or make my allergies flare up! any ideas?

Eww, I know how you feel. I've got eczema (checked the spelling on Webster's website!) on my hands and face, too. Horribly painful and pretty darned disgusting to look at. You might want to try paraffin wax. I've used that before and it works great; I don't know if it would cause an allergic reaction, though. Also, and this is weird, udder cream is really good, too. Honest! It's a pain to deal with, and it's usually always worse in the winter when it's drier (at least here it is).

 

[Febe]

I pray for You also, luv4godremains!
God bless You!

 

[luv4godremains]

thanks Febe,
thanks GreyWing.
I dnuno if we can get either of tem here, but I'll do some research and see! Thanks! Oh, and thanks for looking up the word, it was REALLY starting to bug me, lol! *hugs*

 

[HisKid1973]

I went thru a very stressful period in the nineties with ocd..The hand washing had my hands sore and red all the time. The thoughts I had really affected work and driving.. I tried meds but idn't want to stay on them.I ended up having to leave that job which helped immensely. I still have issues with things being clean and still wash things when they fall but my wife ha s been very understanding..With the faith thing remember it is faith it's unseen..When you come to Christ and follow Him you can expect trials and tribulations..You have and enemy that wants to destroy you, but You have a Saviour that won't leave or forsake you. ..shalom..kim

 

[luv4godremains]

cheers Kim,
I think I'm getting there with things! they want to put me on anti-anxieties and melotonin for sleeping, hopefully they'll help, I have an appt tomorrow, hoping it all goes well. and either way, whatever happens, I know I'm in Gods' hands, I think this weekend helped quite a lil with the faith, (church youth weekend away) although the comments of "are you having another shower?" and "still cleaning then?" didn't really help much, made me feel more anxious and clean even more! :s but, I'm in Gods' hands, so whatever happens He'll be looking over me!

 

[Senorita de la Reputacion]

You are in my prayers. They think I have OCD but if I do it's the mildest case I've ever heard about. I am compulsive about turning off light bulbs and water faucets and locking doors but it only takes me about five minutes to check them all five times.

I wish I were cleaner though because I am VERY messy!!!

 

[luv4godremains]

chocolate bunny, it dus sound like you could do, and if you do, not the mildest case ever either. There are many different symptoms of OCD, and many different people have it in different ways. I'll be praying for you too! thanks

 

[mikeforjesus]

I have not read this book but I think maybe still you should consider buying it

http://www.reginaorthodoxpress.com/brchofad.html

Maybe I too will buy it one day..

 

[mikeforjesus]

From http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/orthodox_psychotherapy_d_avdeev_e.htm

"Obsessive-compulsive neurosis. Obsessions, that is, existing outside the will and desires of a person, could be specific thoughts, memories, images, doubts, as well as acts. Obsessive fears are also assigned to obsessive neuroses. If a person experiences unaccountable fears of the unknown, it is called a fear syndrome; if he fears something concrete, like darkness, heights, sharp objects, close spaces, similar obsessive states are determined to be phobias, specifying their particular fear by their names. For example, cancerophobia — fear of cancer, claustrophobia — fear of small spaces, hypsophobia — fear of heights, misophobia — fear of being dirty, pantophobia — fear of everything around you.
Sometimes phobias appear only in appropriate circumstances: fear of heights only when rising to heights, fear of mice only upon seeing one (Peter the Great, for instance, panicked at the sight of cockroaches); but sometimes they arise at the very thought of something.
Fear is inherent in fallen man’s nature ("Fear is absence of firm hope," said St. John of Damascus) and deeply biological, because man carries within himself an animal beginning, which instinctively fears threats from without: darkness, attack and so on. In many instances, this acts as a defensive mechanism, protecting us from all threats to our well-being. By fearing, a person becomes more cautious, is able to protect himself, to save himself from approaching threat. Fear is instituted by nature in the memory from previous generations, as psychoanalysts say, in the "collective unconscious" (Carl Young).
But neurotic fears are characteristically not based on any real threat, or it is an illusory or unlikely threat. For example, one person suffers from cardiophobic neurosis, that is, he fears that his heart will stop at any moment. On one hand, theoretically that is possible, because sudden death occurs even among young, apparently healthy people, but the objective possibility of such a sudden heart stoppage in such a person is miniscule, while it has a place as an artificial, imagined, fantasized threat to life, conditional on false thoughts and unfounded fears.
Here is another example: a mother, fervently loving her child, all of a sudden catches herself thinking that she might suffocate him. This thought horrifies her, it does not correspond to her moral views, is not dictated by any real external circumstances — just the opposite, it is absurd, without any real reason. But, like a splinter, it becomes rooted in her consciousness, continues to bring her pain that she is ashamed to acknowledge to anyone.
Obsessive thoughts often begin with the question "What if?" Later it becomes automatic, becomes rooted in the consciousness, and, repeated often, create real difficulties in life. And the more a person battles with them, the stronger they take hold.
The main reason for the development and the very existence of neurotic fears is the overblown sensual imagination, which is usually by-passed by the special literature devoted to this subject. A person, for example, does not simply fear falling from heights, but "ignites" the imaginary situation, imagining his funeral, seeing himself lying in the coffin and so on.
Besides this, in similar states, there is weakness of mental defenses (censorship) due to the natural individualities of the given personality or as the result of a sinful state. It is common knowledge that alcoholics are more susceptible to suggestions. Debauchery substantially weakens spiritual strength. The lack of continual internal effort of self-control, spiritual sobriety and conscious administration of one’s thoughts is manifested (these efforts are described in the literature of the holy fathers).
It must also be admitted that some thoughts are in reality foreign to a given person, therefore demonic. Unfortunately, a person is often unable to determine the true source of his thoughts, and the demonic suggestion easily enters into his soul. Only experienced monks and holy people already purified by prayerful tasks and fasting, are able to reveal the approach of dark spirits. The souls of usual people, enveloped by sinful darkness, often do not sense or see this, because it is hard to see what is dark in the dark.
St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov) explains: "The spirits of hate conduct war against humans so cleverly, that thoughts and ideas suggested by them appear to be the person’s own."
Bishop Varnava (Beliaev) writes: "The mistake of modern persons is, they think that only they suffer "from thoughts," while in actuality they suffer even more from demons… Then, when they try to defeat thought with thought, they see that opposing thoughts — are not simply thoughts, but "obsessive" thoughts, that are impossible to deal with and before which a person is helpless, which have no logical connection and are foreign to him, extraneous and hateful… But if a person does not recognize the Church, grace, holy mysteries and the value of virtues, how can he defend himself? Of course he can’t. And then, since the heart is empty of humility and other virtues, demons come and do whatever they want with the mind and body of the person" (Matt. 12:43-45).
These words of Bishop Varnava are fully confirmed clinically. Obsessive neuroses are harder to treat than any other neurotic type. Often they do not submit to any therapy, exhausting their victims with the most severe sufferings. In stubborn obsessions a person is steadfastly deprived of his ability to work and simply becomes an invalid. "Fear causes great harm, — writes the Elder Macarius of Optina, — the body is weakened by the decline of the spirit and the absence of tranquility, and illness comes without illness." Experience shows that true recovery can come only with the grace of God.
The fear of God (reverence before their Creator) is necessary for every person, but this great gift is often distorted and replaced by animal cowardice. The fear of God has several levels, the first of which is fear of violating God’s laws — sinning, doing something vile, unworthy, and offensive, in the eyes of God. The second level applies to more accomplished pious ascetics and consists of the fear of falling away from God, losing His grace, holy peace, for this departure would mean spiritual death.
"Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom," — say the Holy Scriptures (Job 28:28). "By living without the fear of God, one cannot accomplish anything noble or amazing," writes the universal teacher of the Church St. John Chrysostom.
On the basis of the literature of the holy fathers, we can conclude that it is precisely the fear of God that is capable of healing a person of his neuroses: when a person gains this spiritual gift, then this noble fear drowns out the other small, day-to-day living fears. Just as a large wave on the ocean absorbs the small ripples, so does the true fear of God consume neurotic fears — phobias.
And finally, the last aspect related to the reason for the rise of fear, which is also not discussed in scientific literature. We see it pointed out in the Holy Scriptures: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment" (1 John 4:18). It turns out, that the presence of fear in the soul and heart of a person means the absence or lack of love for God.
Let us now briefly discuss obsessive (compulsive) actions. Their character may be very different. They often take the form of some habitual ritual and are repeated contrary to logic and necessity. For instance, the obsessive washing of hands; rituals while dressing and undressing; senseless moving of furniture; counting money constantly; tapping, rocking; avoidance of specific objects; repetition of specific words and actions upon contact with some seeming evil. A feeling of relief upon performing the obsessive action is characteristic. But this relief is temporary and soon the need to repeat the given ritual arises again.
An important moment for clarifying the nature of obsessive actions is their aforementioned alien nature and their compulsion to performing senseless acts. This is what Bishop Varnava (Beliaev) writes about this: "What is the source of this coercion, if a person with all the strength of his soul rejects and doesn’t want it, considers it an element alien and abnormal? Clearly, from another spiritual essence — evil and unclean. Then one understands the illogic of thought, this tyranny, of which scholars themselves speak, one understands the relief after completing the act… (that is, the devil departs, glad, that he forced a person to do something against his will), one understands the agonizing discontent with oneself, because the person’s conscience tortures the person for listening to the devil."
In particularly difficult cases a person cannot control himself and becomes a sort of "biorobot." Remember, for example, the ritual murder of the three monks in the Optina Monastery, performed by a criminal who later admitted, that some strange power forced him to perform this crime and he could not resist it. Other criminals often mention a similar force that overpowers the will and consciousness. This, by the way, does not lead to their release from legal responsibility. Drug addicts and alcoholics also mention a strange forcible irresistible desire. The power that stands behind all this, I think, is clear."


From
http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/orthodox_psychotherapy_d_avdeev_e.htm

 

[luv4godremains]

thanks mike, I'll check dat out later! thanks for the help guys!