isn’t OCD a good thing?

[Fuzzyrug]

The thing is, isn’t OCD a good thing, in a way, let’s say that we don’t bother to check that the oven is switched off, then we are in danger of not being safe, ‘sounds like a good idea to me’, so it’s not the OCD, as all humans have OCD to a degree, If I check the oven three times then that’s a good idea, if I check it five times, a little excessive, if I check it twenty-five times then what does this say?, I don’t trust myself? Then perhaps the issue is self belief, I have doubts in myself, it is my low self esteem that is the problem and my OCD is but a symptom?

 

[seajoy]

People who don't have just check things once. That's all that is required to be safe.

I think low self esteem comes after ocd begins. We know we are "different" somehow. But we shouldn't feel that way.

As for if OCD is a good thing.....I think we are very perceptive people, and notice things, like at work, that no one else would see. We are also quite caring individuals as well. We make good friends. But we worry if everyone likes us too much.

 

[Jayangel81]

While I am unable to relate to the oven. Ive had moments of handwashing, the benefit was my hands were clean Which is kind of good but annoying at the same time


I think people with religious OCD benefit from it . I see alot of people on here who suffer from it.

Some examples are.

1. We push ourselves to trust and rely on the Lord more and more.
2. Our Faith will withstand many trials through it and will cause perseverance.
3 We examine our Faith almost excessivly, in which every Christian should do as St. Paul says we should. Id like to add many Christians Do Not...
4. God has used this to bring me humblessness
5. God has brought me closer to Him and my love for Him.
6. I make it a must to use scriptures and embed them in my heart to comfort myself in the condemnation. We need to use Gods Word in a safe and non obsessing way.
7. To teach me to trust in Him and not my feelings.

these are a few.

So yea I know OCD can be used for a good thing. The Lord can use any and all of our sufferings to be used for good. He is Sovereign. We just need to keep our Faith and know that He will turn things for the better.

even tho we dont see it at first because of our struggles.

 

[picassoui]

The thing is, isn’t OCD a good thing, in a way, let’s say that we don’t bother to check that the oven is switched off, then we are in danger of not being safe, ‘sounds like a good idea to me’, so it’s not the OCD, as all humans have OCD to a degree, If I check the oven three times then that’s a good idea, if I check it five times, a little excessive, if I check it twenty-five times then what does this say?, I don’t trust myself? Then perhaps the issue is self belief, I have doubts in myself, it is my low self esteem that is the problem and my OCD is but a symptom?

Self Esteem and security are certainly contributors to the ocd experience

 

[Fuzzyrug]

I have recived very posative replies to this post, I think that goes to show how nice people with OCD are

 

[ld2304]

I live with OCD, it is not a good thing. It has made my life absolute torture. I'd rather have a physical handicap. i have had depression as a result of OCD, and been driven to the brink of suicide many times. Never EVER wish for ocd.

 

[kaykay9.0]

I live with OCD, it is not a good thing. It has made my life absolute torture. I'd rather have a physical handicap. i have had depression as a result of OCD, and been driven to the brink of suicide many times. Never EVER wish for ocd.

Prayers for you. I totally agree that OCD is NOT a friend!!!! OCD tends to take good traits or tendencies and exaggerate them to the point that they are no longer good, but destructive.

 

[antiarte]

I don't mind my ocd, actually.

 

[Jayangel81]

Just remember in your hearts and keep your confidence in God that :

"For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God." -- Rom. 8:28

I agree this illness is destructive, I agree with Kay. It is disgusting to what Ocd can do to a person. But remember one thing that trials even destructive ones like these can and will lead to perseverance, if we endure it and put our trust and confidence in the Lord

"...count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."James 1:2-4

"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." 1 Peter 5:10-11

In truth there are quite a few scriptures that say that our trials and sufferings will be used for the good of us.

Its just easy to lose that when we are enduring this pain

 

[Yesca40]

i wish checking the oven to see if it is off over and over or checking light switches was what i had. Try having intrusive blasphemous thoughts that are not your own, it is absolute hell and torment, ocd is not a good thing!

 

[Ariel]

Yesca, you sound like you are going through a hard time. I am so sorry.

Welcome to our forums. We are here to help each other. And no--I don't think that anyone believes that OCD is great to have. There are helps, however, and there is hope.

 

[Fuzzyrug]

Recognising that this feeling that 'I must carry out my obsessions to keep anxiety away', is avoiding what is really taking place, and what really is taking place is the feeling that we need to carry out our obsessions to keep our anxiety levels low.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation

 

[keryakos]

Recognising that this feeling that 'I must carry out my obsessions to keep anxiety away', is avoiding what is really taking place, and what really is taking place is the feeling that we need to carry out our obsessions to keep our anxiety levels low.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation

No we must do it in order to avoid hell ..there is a difference

 

[HoneyComb Son]

OCD is not a good thing..as someone says pushes good things to a not good thing..plus even makes bad things worse..lol its a illness..no illness nor disease is a good thing..its bad..if we say it pushes us to trust more or faith or whatever..its the illness in our own strength doing it.and we know by God that we cannot stand that long in our own strength..so how much more through an illness? we have to use God's strength..not a disease.

bad things are bad..good is good..but GOd can turn all to good..let him get rid of the OCD

I have OCD by the way...its never been good.it has actually wrecked havoc

 

[keryakos]

here here

 

[Journey_On]

Sometimes my OCD can be a good thing. For example, when I did my clinicals in the hospital (nursing student), it really made me aware of the things I touched, and patients wouldn't have to worry about me not washing my hands. At least when I work in a hospital, I can get away with washing my hands too much - because that is looked upon as a good thing.

Another area where it can be somewhat of a good thing is that it has caused me to be honest and stay true to my words. It has caused me to be mindful of what I say because I am always afraid of offending people.

But for me, OCD is not a good thing is when it causes me anxiety. Like when I have unwanted, embarrassing pictures pop into my head and I am around people. Or when words and songs replay in my head over and over again. Or when I have anxiety over something I thought I wasn't supposed to do, and I cannot get rid of the anxiety until I "confess" it to someone. When they tell me it's okay and explain why, then I feel better.

So for me, the anxiety that comes from having OCD is the worst thing. Guilt sometimes accompanies the anxiety, and that is an awful feeling. I remember sometimes I wish I had physical pain rather than dealing with guilt and anxiety. A few times I have even experienced chest pain when I am experiencing a lot of guilt and anxiety from situations where I thought I did something wrong.