What makes OCD?

[momgreenlady]

I always thought that it was just repitious actions that are diagnosed as OCD but I read yesterday that thoughts can be too? Can anyone tell me what OCD is? I don't go to therapy and never have. I have done what is considered self-therapy to get through stuff. I feel that I have conquered my self-harm but am worried that I might have a slight case of OCD and not sure how to handle that. I just don't have the money or authenticity to go to a counselor so if there are any good books that would help me that would be great too. TIA for any words that you have for me.

 

[frank1234]

I always thought that it was just repitious actions that are diagnosed as OCD but I read yesterday that thoughts can be too? Can anyone tell me what OCD is? I don't go to therapy and never have. I have done what is considered self-therapy to get through stuff. I feel that I have conquered my self-harm but am worried that I might have a slight case of OCD and not sure how to handle that. I just don't have the money or authenticity to go to a counselor so if there are any good books that would help me that would be great too. TIA for any words that you have for me.

OCD is any thinking or action that you dont want to do, but you feel you are forced to do it and you end up doing it. It is normally because of a wrong belief system. So,If you want to fix the OCD, you have to deal with the wrong belief system. Depending on where you leave, If you go to any bookstore, like Barnes and Noble or Borders, Just go to the section self-help or Psycology, and you will find books about OCD. Better yet after you find some thing in the book store, just write down the name of the book and try ordering it from your local library for free. You will be amayzed how many new books you can find in the library. If you need a good christian book about religeous OCD(I don't know If you have that issue or not), try "Breaking the Bondage of Legalism" by Anderson/Miller/Travis. God be with you.

 

[momgreenlady]

Thanks Frank. Can anyone recomend a specific book that is good? How do I know is something is a habit or ocd? I have been trying to figure out how to go about quiting my ODSM, chewing on my the inside of my cheeks, but can't seem to quit. Is it just a habit or more? I can sit and chew for hours without doing anything else and before I know it the whole day is gone and I'm left with a bleeding mouth. I usually do this everyday. I have tried to stop. I think one time I even went a couple months without it but it has been full force other than those 2 months. I have been doing it since I was a child!

 

[seajoy]

Thanks Frank. Can anyone recomend a specific book that is good? How do I know is something is a habit or ocd? I have been trying to figure out how to go about quiting my ODSM, chewing on my the inside of my cheeks, but can't seem to quit. Is it just a habit or more? I can sit and chew for hours without doing anything else and before I know it the whole day is gone and I'm left with a bleeding mouth. I usually do this everyday. I have tried to stop. I think one time I even went a couple months without it but it has been full force other than those 2 months. I have been doing it since I was a child!

Just a question or two for you.

Does it feel good to you, to chew on your cheek? Also, what do you think will happen if you don't chew on your cheek?

This sounds like more than a habit to me. I am not a psychiatrist, but I think you should at least try and get evaluated by one.

Also, what type of self-therapy have you tried? I'm just curious what you have done to try and feel better.

seajoy

 

[momgreenlady]

No it doesn't feel good. It is def an obsession. If I feel a flap of skin loose at all then I have to get it off. So I chew it. Well then it creates more of them and so I have to keep chewing. It has to be smooth and even before I feel that I can quit. I don't know what will happen but it feels like I just have to. If not then it won't be even. I do the same thing with sores, not chew them, but I have to pick all my scabs off. I just feel like I can't go on with my day and really focus on anything until it's all gone and everything is smooth and even.

I have not tried much as far as this goes but for my self-injury I read books and did the S.A.F.E. Alternatives "workbook" in the back of their book. I worked on using words to express myself instead of cutting and also learned other alternatives. I have tried gum and candy before but I will just push it aside to keep chewing on my mouth.

 

[seajoy]

No it doesn't feel good. It is def an obsession. If I feel a flap of skin loose at all then I have to get it off. So I chew it. Well then it creates more of them and so I have to keep chewing. It has to be smooth and even before I feel that I can quit. I don't know what will happen but it feels like I just have to. If not then it won't be even. I do the same thing with sores, not chew them, but I have to pick all my scabs off. I just feel like I can't go on with my day and really focus on anything until it's all gone and everything is smooth and even.

I have not tried much as far as this goes but for my self-injury I read books and did the S.A.F.E. Alternatives "workbook" in the back of their book. I worked on using words to express myself instead of cutting and also learned other alternatives. I have tried gum and candy before but I will just push it aside to keep chewing on my mouth.

Yup, sounds like an obsession to me! This may take more than just really trying hard to stop. Many meds help with this type of thing. The longer you can go between chewing, the better it will be. Meds can help you not be so anxious about leaving things 'uneven' as you practice taking longer periods in between chewing. God's blessings on your healing of this.

Good job on working on the SI stuff. Been there myself. I'm glad you found some things that work for you.

seajoy

 

[momgreenlady]

The longer you can go between chewing, the better it will be.

I always thought that too that is why when I quit for two months several years ago now, I thought I had beat it. Then if I get a little nick it's back to the drawing board. My husband is not a fan of meds and I am not particularly either but I have to figure this out. He is also not a fan of "labels" as far as OCD or BPD etc. It's not like we have the money for counseling anyways but if I wanted to get help how do I convince my husband of this?

 

[seajoy]

I always thought that too that is why when I quit for two months several years ago now, I thought I had beat it. Then if I get a little nick it's back to the drawing board. My husband is not a fan of meds and I am not particularly either but I have to figure this out. He is also not a fan of "labels" as far as OCD or BPD etc. It's not like we have the money for counseling anyways but if I wanted to get help how do I convince my husband of this?

Well, perhaps ask him if he likes meds (insulin) for diabetics, or if he likes casts for folks with broken legs? We have an imbalance of the chemicals in our brains. Meds are often needed to take care of this. I don't like the word cancer, or paralyzed etc...either, but we have to call OCD something. We can't just pretend it doesn't exist.

My parents told me that my meds and psychiatrist were of the devil. Were they right? No....God blessed me with very helpful, kind, caring individuals to get me through the roughest part of my life. I still take meds everyday. What a blessing that the Lord allowed these things to be invented.

Take care, seajoy