Is it even OCD? Is medication helpful?

[tripletiger1200]

How do I know that my doubts are OCD, or that my intrusive thoughts are OCD? I feel ridiculously guilty, and like God is mad at me. I read recently about living by the spirit and putting to death the misdeeds of the flesh. The problem is, I fell convicted of sins but I never feel like the spirit is working in me to help me lately. I've been doubting lately, so maybe that's it, but I've tried to be pretty rabid about eliminating any doubt. I just feel really heavy guilt and it won't go away. It usually does after a little while, but it's depressing. It's not fear as much, just a really unpleasant feeling, different than anything I've dealt with before. The OCD is the worst it's ever been, to the point that I am unable to talk about nearly anything spiritual without triggering a spike. I am worried that the Holy Spirit isn't working in me anymore.
Also, does medication help that much, in your experience? I've heard good things, but I've never considered that things were bad enough for a long period of time to want to try it. How long does it take to start working, and to what extent does it help eliminate triggers? If I began taking it, would it stop words from triggering the thoughts, or are triggers things that become habitual so that medication doesn't help much? Also, I've read that the side effects can be bad. I like to try to stay active and healthy, so did any of you notice that medication made you lethargic or unable to wake up in the mornings?

 

[Mr. Runningfish]

If the Holy Spirit wasn't in you, then you would not care that you doubt (at least that's what I believe).

Tripletiger, I'm not sure what I can say, I don't use medicine for my OCD, I just work extra vigilant in taking my thoughts captive. Sometimes, not as well as others.

I said a prayer for you Tripletiger, I hope you find some relief soon.

 

[gracealone]

If the Holy Spirit was in you, then you would not care that you doubt (at least that's what I believe).

???????????????
I'm hoping that what you meant to say is that "if the Holy Spirit wasn't in you than you would not care that you doubt".
Is that what you meant to say?
Mitzi

 

[Mr. Runningfish]

Oops, yes. Fixed it.

 

[OCD=Owie]

:o

 

[gracealone]

How do I know that my doubts are OCD, or that my intrusive thoughts are OCD? I feel ridiculously guilty, and like God is mad at me. I read recently about living by the spirit and putting to death the misdeeds of the flesh. The problem is, I fell convicted of sins but I never feel like the spirit is working in me to help me lately. I've been doubting lately, so maybe that's it, but I've tried to be pretty rabid about eliminating any doubt. I just feel really heavy guilt and it won't go away. It usually does after a little while, but it's depressing. It's not fear as much, just a really unpleasant feeling, different than anything I've dealt with before. The OCD is the worst it's ever been, to the point that I am unable to talk about nearly anything spiritual without triggering a spike. I am worried that the Holy Spirit isn't working in me anymore.
Also, does medication help that much, in your experience? I've heard good things, but I've never considered that things were bad enough for a long period of time to want to try it. How long does it take to start working, and to what extent does it help eliminate triggers? If I began taking it, would it stop words from triggering the thoughts, or are triggers things that become habitual so that medication doesn't help much? Also, I've read that the side effects can be bad. I like to try to stay active and healthy, so did any of you notice that medication made you lethargic or unable to wake up in the mornings?

OCD has nothing to do with misdeeds of the flesh and everything to do with a real disorder/affliction of the brain.
Medication will not remove or eliminate triggers. What it can do for you is to help take the edge off the anxiety so that you can learn to manage the OCD through ERP. I used meds. to help me with this. I'm off all but one now which is a very low dosage of Buspar. I believe they helped speed up my recovery process from a bad flare. It was scary to take them because... well I have OCD and it latched onto every possible negative side effect in such a way that when I finally agreed to take the medication I was shaking all over with fear when I swallowed that first pill. It can also take several trials with different meds. to see which one is best for you. Number 3 try was the one that worked for me so you have to be patient with the process if that happens to be the case with you. No the meds. didn't make me lethargic or unable to wake up in the a.m.. They brought my emotional responses to the triggers/spikes down to the point where I wasn't a complete basket case. I don't think it's ever good to rely on meds. verses therapy because if the meds. stop working for you you'll be back to square one. I also use exercise and keep my blood sugars normal by grazing. Also be sure to get plenty of sleep and do relaxation exercises. Managing OCD requires discipline and life style changes just like any other disorder. The key is to start treating it as a disorder instead of a character flaw or a spiritual problem.
Praying for you. PM me if you have any more questions about meds. I'd be happy to share my experiences with you.
God Bless,
Mitzi

 

[gracealone]

Oops, yes. Fixed it.

Cool!! Thanks
Mitzi

 

[OCD=Owie]

How do I know that my doubts are OCD, or that my intrusive thoughts are OCD? I feel ridiculously guilty, and like God is mad at me. I read recently about living by the spirit and putting to death the misdeeds of the flesh. The problem is, I fell convicted of sins but I never feel like the spirit is working in me to help me lately. I've been doubting lately, so maybe that's it, but I've tried to be pretty rabid about eliminating any doubt. I just feel really heavy guilt and it won't go away. It usually does after a little while, but it's depressing. It's not fear as much, just a really unpleasant feeling, different than anything I've dealt with before. The OCD is the worst it's ever been, to the point that I am unable to talk about nearly anything spiritual without triggering a spike. I am worried that the Holy Spirit isn't working in me anymore.
Also, does medication help that much, in your experience? I've heard good things, but I've never considered that things were bad enough for a long period of time to want to try it. How long does it take to start working, and to what extent does it help eliminate triggers? If I began taking it, would it stop words from triggering the thoughts, or are triggers things that become habitual so that medication doesn't help much? Also, I've read that the side effects can be bad. I like to try to stay active and healthy, so did any of you notice that medication made you lethargic or unable to wake up in the mornings?

Medication works differently in different people. For some, it works very well, for others, not so much. For me, personally, it helps quite a bit.

And you're for the most part right about side effects of OCD meds. However, from what I understand, Zoloft only causes you to get kinda hyper. (don't take with alcohol though). For me, (I take zoloft) it only made me have sleeping troubles for the first two nights, then it was fine. It took about a month to six weeks to take effect though. Most antidepressants take one to two months to start being effective. (from my understanding.)

If your OCD is really bad though, you should definitely consider medication. Talk to a mental health professional about it, and see what's best.

Also, if your OCD is getting worse, you might want to check and see if it's because you frequent this forum so much. It's great to come on here and talk about your problems and to help others with theirs, but sometimes, if you read too much about the OCD symptoms of others, your OCD can be triggered.

Just a thought.

 

[raven1]

praying for you
__