Nats

So I had a situation the other day... I was doing a gym class and we had to pair up. I ended up with a man I didn't know, we had to hold each other arms and do this exercise. I was really anxious and did not want to hold his arm, so I didn't, but he held my arms. I felt so uncomfortable and trapped, although his hands were not sweaty, he was sweaty. It was only for 20 seconds, but it felt a lot longer. I could feel myself getting panicky and my eyes were beginning to water. It felt horrible. As soon as the 20 seconds were up I ran to the bathroom to wash my arms with hot soapy water and I just stood there tears coming from my eyes, I knew it was so stupid, but I just couldn't cope in that situation. The weird thing is a few days later I was in a different gym class with one of my friends and we had to pair up and have our hands up against each other, like we were giving each other a high five. We were both sweaty and this time it was for about 5 minutes, but I didn't feel panicky, uncomfortable or trapped this time. I was a bit anxious, but generally I felt okay. When we had finished this exercise, I didn't need to run to bathroom, I just carried on and went to the bathroom to wash my hands when the class had finished. I don't know if I felt more at ease as I was paired up with someone I knew or if I had prepared myself for this situation after the first one a few days prior.

It must feel so much better to talk about it once it's out there! Good idea. I have recently wrote a poem about my OCD which has just been published and I'm a bit anxious about telling people about it, maybe I should get them to read it and briefly tell them about it. I'm sure they will be it's just the telling them, I want them to understand it properly! I will keep you posted and thank you for your comments

Thanks for sharing that, really good to hear how much it has made a difference for you. I know your right and I really want to do it. Think I'm going to try and find a therapist in the new year and work though it! I guess it's the fear of the unknown, thinking what I will be like without it and what I will do as it has just become the norm. Also as I have no-one to talk to about it I don't know if I'm strong enough to go it alone as I know it's going to be hard and I'm gonna need to talk to someone who can relate! I'll give it my best shoot tho

I have looked into it before, but not actually tried it. I would like to find a therapist, but I think it's the actual doing it. It's a weird feeling, I know I have OCD and have had for many years. I hate it and want to get better, but part of me kind of likes it because I know I'm in control. It's a catch-22!

Thanks, I will have a look on the website for some info. Would like to raise the awareness of OCD so maybe I will start with that. I think once people know it will be alright, it's just the getting there That's exactly how I feel. When I feel really down about my OCD I just want to talk to someone, but as no-one really know about it, it's really hard and I don't end up talking to anyone.

How open to friends/family/others are people about there OCD? I really want to talk to them about my OCD and explain what I go through on a daily basis, but I fear they won't understand and will think I'm making something out of nothing. I don't really know how to start a conversation about it, I'm so good at hiding my OCD, I don't even know if they know about it, where would I even start? I'm not good generally taking about my problems, I just hide away and deal with things myself, I don't like to bother people. For me to just come out and start talking about this will not easy and not something I can just throw into conversation. I don't want it to sound too serious, but it is a problem so don't want it to seem like it's nothing! I feel I need to talk about it, people know me, but they don't 'really' know me, I almost feel like I'm a fake! How soon after getting to know someone do you actually tell them? It almost feels like I've know my friends for too long that it will be awkward trying to bring it up now! Like I want to tell people when I first meet them just to get it out there coz it digs away at you, but I guess I fear what they might think and I just want to fit in!

Thanks Cub, It's horrible feeling alone. I really wish people would understand, but no-one seems to take the time. I hope so ??

Yeah, I would really like some help, it's just knowing who to go to or what to do. I haven't a clue, I just can't live like this anymore, it's driving me crazy!!!

You know, I kind of feel like that, I don't have children but one of my biggest fears is to actually have children, I don't want them picking up on my habits. I don't know if I can give any advice, but it's just nice to know someone's thinks the same way as you ?? I'm sure ur child looks up to you and you know you would never truely hurt them

I often feel my OCD separates me from other people. I always feel alone as I don't feel confident enough to talk about it to anyone as I know they won't understand. How do people cope daliy? I thought I was doing ok, but then realised my OCD had become the everyday norm, I had just got used to it, I wasn't ok at all. Now I have had a few really down weeks as I feel I can't talk to anyone as they won't fully understand and just brush it off! I don't know anyone else with OCD so I'm just going this alone. I'm very specific to time, things have to happen at certain time, not before or after. I have a certain routine I have to follow. Also I constantly have voice in my head telling me how alone I am. I can't seem to cope with sudden change. I feel umcoftable and trapped when people I don't know touch me. I can't seem to just do things, have to plan everything. These are just a few things, can anyone relate?

Thanks, I will try and post on these forums first, I just find it really hard as most probably do! I guess I don't really know where to start!

Hi, Feeling really down at the moment, I feel like my OCD is getting worst and I have no-one to talk to who actually understands what it's like to live with! I really dont want to go to a support group or see a therapist, but I know I need to, so going to try my best and go. Can anyone recommend any in the Hertfordshire area?, Thanks