Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Self-Help?

Question

I'm only 15 and I'm kind of scared. You see, a lot of bad genes run through my family, from bipolar and ausburgers syndrome to ADD and anxiety disorders. I was diagnosed for ADD a few months ago and put on medication, it's helping at least a little bit.
And now I'm worried, because even though I denied that I have any of these mental disorders (which my mother and sister have), I've lost my own inside battle on ADD and had to succumb to treatment. Now, I realize it was a good thing.
But I know that I have OCD. I've been tested for it before, and I kind of mellowed down the answers so they wouldn't seem so bad, but all that did was hurt myself because now I'm without treatment.
And it gets worse with stress. Now, in the middle of the school year, I have constant mental struggles and rituals I need to carry out, and it just makes me even more anxious.
I've asked my mom if I could see the family therapist. She said she'd try and arrange it. Is there a way to self-help or no?

Answer 1

Self help cannot change brain chemistry. Brain chemistry is what causes ADHD, Asperger's, autism, OCD, Tourette syndrome, etc. You might can change one habit for another, but no long-term solution. Medication is the only thing that helps. An antidepressant or Strattera, the nonamphetamine medicine for ADHD, are the only two types of medicines that seem to work.

I know from personal experience how miserable these anxiety disorders can be. I had terrible mind-racing, couldn't sleep at night because I was thinking of a million things. Taking an antidepressant finally stopped the mind-racing and allowed me to relax.

Answer 2

Actually yes, but it requires a lot of how can I say participation from your end and sticking to it. It would be better to at least start with a therapist, because they may be able to note OCD behaviors that you didn't even realize you have. See what may happen is you treat the most obvious symptoms yourself, but the more subtle ones will just carry on. You have to notate the behavior when it is happening and kind of in a problem solving way, figure out why you are doing that, and then find an alternative. The Feeling Good Book might be a good one for you to read and study.

Answer 3

Generally, it's only self-treatable if it's not debilitating. Is it keeping you from living an otherwise normal life? Are you unable to think of anything else? Do you have a problem concentrating?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need professional help. But look on the bright side, it may take just a few sessions to explore the why's and what's so that you can begin being OCD free. My little brother had it REALLY bad, rituals, charmed thoughts ,etc. and it only took him a couple of months of practice, and now he's relatively normal (I'm just kidding, he's my little brother ;} LOL) My sister and I still have it, but it's just a neatness freak kind of thing, so I'm totally willing to live with it!

Good luck, and I hope everything works out for you! It's not necessarily meds that you need, so don't worry! Keep your chin up, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Answer 4

Take that energy and route it into doing something which you can become intensely focused on, such as learning how to play the piano, or learning mathmatics, something you can love. This can also turn into something financially rewarding. My best friend has a son who had OCD and he started learning to play the piano and became totally absorbed in it. He was playing jazz piano for pretty good cash at a local coffee shop at age 12. He is now in college and doing very well. Use it to your advantage. Remember, people with OCD are some of the most productive people in the world. Make it work for you and think of it as a blessing, rather than a curse. There is medication for OCD, but I don't know much about it. It may have unpleasant side effects.

Answer 5

Boy are you talking to the right guy! I actually wrote a book about OCD, ADD, Depression and Anxiety disorders.

I have all of the above and for 30 years I was suffering from all of them but especially OCD. Today, I teach other people how to regain control of their lives - just as I did.

You should check out my website at: http://www.attackanxiety.com

Or my audio CD about OCD and what you can do to manage it in your own life:
OCD The missing Manual of Answers CD:
http://www.cafepress.com/stevendiamond.18616054

Answer 6

Let me answer you. If you had ocd, you would have typed each letter to your question and descriptions about 20 times each, so multiply 20 by the number of letters you typed, which would equal the amount a normal person with a case of ocd would have typed. Ok, now lets get serious. Its all in your mind. I used to think i had it too. All you got to do is break the habits, and stop thinking of them. No matter, what, stop thinking of them. No matter what , break the habits. Itll go away. Youll be fine.

Answer 7

God Almighty is your Great Healer.

In the Beginning God created heavens and earth.
God gives you air to breathe and sunshine to enjoy.
God gives you water to drink and food to eat.
God gives you a wonderful body and sound mind, to live.
God loves you, and you are precious to Him.
Son of God died on the Cross to save us from condemnation.
Jesus’ love is boundless and everlasting.
We have the hope of Heaven through Jesus.
Life therefore has fantastic and glorious future!
(Digestion of above can even prevent depression and suicidal thoughts.)

Answer 8

If there's something that's bothering you, just close your eyes and force yourself to think about something else... I don't know, it's just what I do.

Answer 9

Inform yourself.This might be helpful
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/