Really having problems with OCD.

[SnowTiger]

Hi,

Today I had a rough day. I was hanging up my clothes after washing them and then the clothing rack broke while I was hanging them and all the clothes fell down on the floor, which made me feel like I had to wash things all over again. Thankfully I was able to face my fear and I just dried them off and put them away in my bureau. So, that was good, but I was freaking out for a little while.

Things didn't get bad until tonight when I dropped the top to the jam jar and the top brushed against my shorts on its way onto the floor. This really drove me crazy because I had to clean the jam jar top and then I had to change my shorts because I felt like they were dirty due to being touched by the top.

I know these are really minor things, but they really drive me crazy. I had to clean off my keys, my wallet, my glasses, and my belt with alcohol because I thought they got dirty from touching my shorts (which were touched by the jam jar top).

My mom wants me to get a case worker, which I'm not sure what that is. Does anyone on here have a case worker and is it helpful? She also wants me to call my regular doctor. I called my psychiatrist tonight and asked if maybe I should try Paxil. Anyone here tried Paxil for OCD? I want to get a talk therapist too.

Anyone else on here have any idea of ways to treat OCD? It's getting really bad. I wash my hands like crazy. It's impossible for me to resist washing them. I just feel like everything is dirty and I need to stay clean. I have to clean my hands after touching the front door knob, before and after eating, before playing games and before I use my computer, and under all sorts of other circumstances.

I have Schizophrenia too, so I'm hearing voices all day long. I don't think my psychiatrist knows just how bad my OCD is getting. He is more concerned with the Schizophrenia.

Thanks for the help,

SnowTiger

 

[Jeshu]

Praying for you and hoping that soon you will find some rest for yourself. i have learned to disobey my feelings which don't tell me the truth. i know hard to do. But it is possible.

Hold onto Jesus with all you got. He will get you through this time.

As with regards to a case worker. i had case workers. Quiet a few of them. Only on he was useful because he was truthful with me, that others where just nursemaids. See if they love Jesus first of all. You need help keeping your focus on Jesus and not on all these compulsions.

Praying you will get all the help you need to get past these times in your life.

Peace.

 

[TenthAveN]

I’ve had contamination OCD since the whole pandemic started (or when a family member mentioned that those with asthma are more at risk.) so I use hand sanitizer in excess. I wipe the rim of the bottle I drink from at lunch, the utensil(s) I use, etc. If the part of my mask that touches my face touches the table, I throw it away and grab another, or I rub it with hand sanitizer.

 

[Dendy]

SnowTiger, I know exactly what you are going thru. I will tell you about myself. I have been on Paxil for many years. I would not be able to function without it. It took about 10 to 14 days for it to begin to work but it seemed to get better and better for about 5 months and steadied. I believe that it is inherited and so I myself am not a fan of cognitive therapy. It was on both sides of my family so I got a terrible case of it. If you read up on it, I believe there is a misfire in a synapse in the brain and white or gray matter in the brain. After many years of psychiatrists not being able to help me the SSRI drugs became available and now I just see my General Practitioner doctor for my refills. The fears still come but I am able to get past them.

 

[Mari17]

Hi,

Today I had a rough day. I was hanging up my clothes after washing them and then the clothing rack broke while I was hanging them and all the clothes fell down on the floor, which made me feel like I had to wash things all over again. Thankfully I was able to face my fear and I just dried them off and put them away in my bureau. So, that was good, but I was freaking out for a little while.

Things didn't get bad until tonight when I dropped the top to the jam jar and the top brushed against my shorts on its way onto the floor. This really drove me crazy because I had to clean the jam jar top and then I had to change my shorts because I felt like they were dirty due to being touched by the top.

I know these are really minor things, but they really drive me crazy. I had to clean off my keys, my wallet, my glasses, and my belt with alcohol because I thought they got dirty from touching my shorts (which were touched by the jam jar top).

My mom wants me to get a case worker, which I'm not sure what that is. Does anyone on here have a case worker and is it helpful? She also wants me to call my regular doctor. I called my psychiatrist tonight and asked if maybe I should try Paxil. Anyone here tried Paxil for OCD? I want to get a talk therapist too.

Anyone else on here have any idea of ways to treat OCD? It's getting really bad. I wash my hands like crazy. It's impossible for me to resist washing them. I just feel like everything is dirty and I need to stay clean. I have to clean my hands after touching the front door knob, before and after eating, before playing games and before I use my computer, and under all sorts of other circumstances.

I have Schizophrenia too, so I'm hearing voices all day long. I don't think my psychiatrist knows just how bad my OCD is getting. He is more concerned with the Schizophrenia.

Thanks for the help,

SnowTiger

Honestly, I'm not familiar with case workers and don't know what they'd do to help OCD. And I don't think normal talk therapy is considered to be very effective for OCD. However, therapy with an OCD specialist, or someone who knows how to CBT/ERP therapy for OCD, could be very helpful. I'm not really familiar with medications, but know they can help some people. I'm more of an advocate for therapy (or learning to apply therapy strategies yourself, which is what I did), because that provides tools you can use all your life to deal with OCD. It's definitely treatable, although it takes work. But it's so worth it! It sounds like you already have the right idea - standing up to OCD, ignoring the obsessive doubts and fears it sends and refusing to do compulsions (like refusing to wash your clothes again - good job!). I strongly encourage you to learn all you can about dealing with OCD, and practice applying it. It leads to so much freedom! If you're looking for resources, I can recommend some of my favorites. Also feel free to pm anytime, if you need advice or encouragement. With God's help, you can do this!!