Really need a little advice

[SirAnthony]

Hi guys,

I've got a new obsession that is bothering me tremendously. I hesitate to write about it because it's so odd, but I truly need some advice.

This is it: I get really anxious when I put things into my pants pockets, specifically my wallet and my keys. The reason is that I tend to assign a "dirtyness" to that action, because I associate it with sexuality (because the pockets are in the pants, I guess).

I've been taking my wallet out of my pocket and putting it back in several times a day at work, as I get anxious and "feel weird" about it. I'm even starting to get anxious about leaving the house, because I need to take my wallet with me and I get scared about putting it in my pocket. I hope I'm not losing my mind, because it certainly feels like it!

I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance.

 

[zingiber]

Yes... most unusual! Still, I have heard crazier. I myself felt that I always had to pass fat people on the left-hand side, and spin clockwise while doing it. I'm not joking! This was from fear of getting fat myself!

I can see that you know the obsession is false, but you still have the 'what if?' thoughts, and the lingering emotional doubt (as opposed to true, intellectual doubt). I know how much the most ridiculous thoughts can plague you. However, try not to give them to much attention, because attention feeds them (as I am sure you know!).

Really, the only advice that I can give is to tell you to run through the thought and refute it (Once only!!!) and then just go against it. Exposure and Response Prevention; 'Feel the fear and do it anyway'. You will habituate to the thought very soon, and this thought is easier than many because it is so unusual. Ridiculous even!

 

[SirAnthony]

Thanks, zingiber, I am doing a bit better at the moment. Exposure therapy is really helpful, but it's difficult to do when the obsession is something that I feel is sinful (irrationally, of course). I will just try to work through the guilt and keep praying.

I wish I had more control of my mind -- it's frustrating to have to deal with silly issues like this.

 

[zingiber]

Isn't it just? I often get annoyed at myself for how much time and energy (and sanity!) I have wasted with this painful disorder, but I just can't get rid of it with force - the harder I try, the worse it gets.

I only have religious obsessions left; I used to have all the 'normal' suite of obsessions and compulsions, just like you have now, but I got rid of them (And I definitely thank God for that). I know you can do it to. When you have ridded yourself of them, you just feel wonderful - "How did these things ever hold me with such a grip?"!

You'll win!

 

[wiggsfly]

I have to put my phone in my right pocket, and my wallet, keys, and a chapstick in my left. If I forget one I can get so bad that I'll have to go home to fix it. If I mistakenly put something in the wrong pocket I often freak until I change into a new pair of pants....

 

[kaykay9.0]

I think Zingiber gave you good advice. When you recognize that something is not rational and is a compulsion, just grit your teeth and do it anyway till you become de-sensitized to it. If it helps, just say to yourself, this is OCD. I'm ignoring it. Then do whatever it is.

Some compulsions are more common than others, but I suppose if we battle OCD, we could develop a compulsion about most anything! Also, you might consider meds for this if you haven't. (Sounds like you're really in an OCD tailspin right now.) Meds are not a total panacea but they sometimes can take the "edge" off these things and give you increase ability to battle them.

 

[annrobert]

Yes... most unusual! Still, I have heard crazier. I myself felt that I always had to pass fat people on the left-hand side, and spin clockwise while doing it. I'm not joking! This was from fear of getting fat myself!

I can see that you know the obsession is false, but you still have the 'what if?' thoughts, and the lingering emotional doubt (as opposed to true, intellectual doubt). I know how much the most ridiculous thoughts can plague you. However, try not to give them to much attention, because attention feeds them (as I am sure you know!).

Really, the only advice that I can give is to tell you to run through the thought and refute it (Once only!!!) and then just go against it. Exposure and Response Prevention; 'Feel the fear and do it anyway'. You will habituate to the thought very soon, and this thought is easier than many because it is so unusual. Ridiculous even!

 

[shelovesChrist]

I used to have all the 'normal' suite of obsessions and compulsions, just like you have now, but I got rid of them (And I definitely thank God for that). I know you can do it to. When you have ridded yourself of them, you just feel wonderful

Amen .

And just remember the story of Jesus telling Martha she worried about too much, when she'd be in the kitchen and she'd get mad at his sister Mary for not helping. We need to be more like Mary and let's stressful over matters that are unimportant in regards to those that have more importance. It's hard to break habits but it'll work out. Just ask the Lord to help you overcome such matters if you feel like you don't have the power yourself to. He said ask and we shall receive in Mathew 7: 7. I used to have panic attacks and all kinds of fears. Once I even thought my heart fell in my chest because I could saw my heart beat in my abdomen lol. Silly things. But the Lord can cast out that fear. We don't want to spend our lives stressed because of small things. Praying for you all.

 

[Dogperson]

I've had similar types of bothersome thoughts in the past, not so much anymore because I've turned into mostly obsessive with very little compulsive. Forcing yourself to endure the uncomfortable thought & putting the wallet in your pocket anyway might actually work, though it will probably be difficult the first few times. I'm sure there are ways to get around the issue of how to carry your wallet but that wouldn't really get rid of the obsession, such as if you wore a fanny pack or put the wallet in an inside jacket pocket instead. I have a family member who can't stand to shake someone's hand & then not be able to immediately wash it. As you can imagine, this is very hard to deal with at church. I've been trying to help him work through the anxiety over sitting in the pew after shaking so many hands. I used to hand him alcohol wipes but that was really just feeding the obsession. We were kinda like on that show "Monk" where he has the assistant hand him wipes all the time. He has successfully avoided running to the restroom to wash his hands several times lately so we both think he's making progress. So facing the problem head-on might actually work for you, just be patient with yourself & give it time.

 

[shelovesChrist]

He has successfully avoided running to the restroom to wash his hands several times lately so we both think he's making progress. So facing the problem head-on might actually work for you, just be patient with yourself & give it time.

Amen .

 

[gracealone]

I totally feel the "need to clean my hands" after greeting people in our church service - especially if they have sweaty hands. :/
Sometimes I can just sit there and ignore it but other times I will get my hand sanitizer out. It's funny because then I put my hands on the pew in front of me and I think... "oh.. there's probaby germs there too." Thankfully I can stop myself from putting any more hand sanitizer on after that point. I usually just accept the possibility that I might get sick from it and say ... "oh well.. what is - is... tommorrow you'll either be puking or dying from the screaming crud." ERP
Mitzi

I've had similar types of bothersome thoughts in the past, not so much anymore because I've turned into mostly obsessive with very little compulsive. Forcing yourself to endure the uncomfortable thought & putting the wallet in your pocket anyway might actually work, though it will probably be difficult the first few times. I'm sure there are ways to get around the issue of how to carry your wallet but that wouldn't really get rid of the obsession, such as if you wore a fanny pack or put the wallet in an inside jacket pocket instead. I have a family member who can't stand to shake someone's hand & then not be able to immediately wash it. As you can imagine, this is very hard to deal with at church. I've been trying to help him work through the anxiety over sitting in the pew after shaking so many hands. I used to hand him alcohol wipes but that was really just feeding the obsession. We were kinda like on that show "Monk" where he has the assistant hand him wipes all the time. He has successfully avoided running to the restroom to wash his hands several times lately so we both think he's making progress. So facing the problem head-on might actually work for you, just be patient with yourself & give it time.

 

[shelovesChrist]

LOL.
I can't stand to see a crumb on a table at a restaurant or something on the floor. I think I get it from my mom though. She always made a big fuss about things being unclean.

 

[Dogperson]

Oh, I know what you mean about the sweaty hands. I don't much mind shaking hands but the sweaty ones do kind of bother me, so in that case I will usually sneak & wipe my hand down the side of my pants or skirt after I sit down. Can't really take that wet feeling, not so much worry about the germs. I probably worry about germs less than somebody without OCD but I worry a lot about people dying or about not making sure I've done something so that nobody gets hurt, such as being sure I turned the stove off or whatever.

 

[sk8Joyful]

I get really anxious
when I put things into my pants pockets, specifically my wallet and my keys.
(The reason ...)
I wish I had more control of my mind.
I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance.

Great news! on both counts:
For sure you can! learn how to regain your own mind's controls..., as many others do
&
One of the processes you can be helped learning: How-to
Make new anchors, & triggers, to your preferences, for feeling any Positive & Constructive emotions you want. yup, to PRAISE God