Obsessive compulsive disorder...?

Question

I have OCD since forever, I havent been too a phsycologist yet, but I wanna. Im just trying to deal with it ... Do you have it too? Do you have any advice on controling the rituals...?

Answer 1

Well, about controlling the rituals, going to a psychologist -really- helps. If you go to see one, they might even give your different options for therapy. I was lucky and got to work in a group with other teens.

Other than that, just take it a little at a time. If you feel the urge to (just picking something random that I do) count things, hold off on it as long as you can. If you can only stop it for a minute, so what? That's one less minute of your life that OCD has taken away. Also, doing something else to take your mind off of your OCD will help you tons. Go watch TV, make a snack (if your compulsions don't revolve around food), play a game. Anything, really. Gradually, you'll become stronger and be able to resist your compulsions for even longer. Then, one day, you might be rid of them completely.

Now, I can tell you that doing that is going to be very hard work, and it will -not- be fun, so you need to keep focussed. When I started doing that and stopped counting, I had the worst panic attacks I've ever experienced. I could barely breathe for long spans of time, and it felt like my head was going to just explode. But it didn't, and yours won't either. Believe me, it's all worth it on the long run.

That's pretty much what I did for a few years, and it's worked wonderfully. Now, I only count things when I'm really stressed out, and I can live with that.

I hope this helped you. :)

Answer 2

I have a mild form of it and the only thing that helped was medication. If I tried to control it myself I felt crazy. One thing I have to do is turn off/unplug things in my apartment before I leave or else I think my apartment will burn down. When I tried leaving without checking everything, I was paralyzed by fear and anxiety all day. My doctor put me on Abilify. It's an anti-psychotic usually used for schizophrenia but it can help with OCD. I also take Klonopin for the anxiety. I still have some of the rituals but I don't feel they control my life as much. I have no advice on how to control those things without seeing a psychiatrist, therapist or getting on meds.

Answer 3

Hi Maria,

I'd strongly reccommend that you see a psychologist who can give you what is called CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
This, often in conjunction with anti-depressant medication, is the best proven treatment for tackling OCD.

Until you find a psychologist, you might find this site useful:
www.ocduk.org
There are also forums there where you can get more specific support from other OCD sufferers.

Please don't just continue to deal with it. I did that for the longest time, and gradually got worse and worse. But with a year of CBT under my belt, I feel immesurably better!
Get help - you deserve it.

Answer 4

well ive had it since i was nine so its been good, to bad, to worse, but over the years it got less and less severe buti still have me episodes, getting help would be a great thing to do, there are even intensive courses and classes you can take and after a month or so, you can show soooo much improvment. its just a game of mind over matter.

but i do feel incredibly sorry for you, its never fun being controlled by your mind, its a horrible horrible way to live, and the punishment by the anxiety is unfair, good luck my friend, good luck

Answer 5

OCD id controlled by medicine and I know of no self medicating factors. Good Luck to you, love!

Answer 6

YOU have to see a Dr. you cant control this by yourself,,, good luck!!!

Answer 7

i am a counsellor if you need any help contact me. take care.