Patricia

I find when I'm out of my comfort zone my OCD plays up more (Sometimes)...We put ourselves in a bubble for protection and security ..(In my opinion)..We isolate ourselves because of the illness and this enables us to give ocd the time and thought it needs ..Our views become distorted ..But their is help out there and we need that tap on the shoulder to maybe step b back and think..Hang on its winning and I really don't want my ocd to win ..We know ocd and the behaviours and thoughts that come with it are irrational and this makes it treatable..This is how I deal with it when it gets too much..My last being cbt which I reccomemed a try..It's not easy but life can become a happy place!!!!

My OCD has plagued me for years and lots of areas of my thinking is the uncertainty if something is real or true ..Your views and visions can become very distorted and out of control..It all comes down to Anxiety which OCD feeds from.... Reassurance for me never helped only made me disbelief my thoughts and actions more..It can at times control lots of little areas of my thinking and i doubt myself often..I've been told it is a complex condition but is treatable with the right Therapy...For me CBT was a good approach and gave me some great tools to take back with me ..You have to put in some work and it can be hard but you can improve your thoughts and behaviours with CBT..It may not work for everybody and it's not cured me but i did benefit from this approach..I to had a similar worry to yours more so when i was younger and i would check if my heart was still beating and think the worsed was going to happen..I had tests and it was a simple heart block which poses no threat to your health..I'm not saying this is your case and I'm sorry you witnessed the passing of your father which can't of been easy ...The constant worry you are feeling increases your Anxiety and for me periods of prolonged stress and worry also gives me palpatations and chest pain which is uncomfortable..I really hope you get the help you need to feel sure about yourself again ..?

I have had mental illness many years and OCD and GAD have been up there with me most of my life..I'm 42 now...I've had different mental health help.. Psychiatrist..CPN..And psychological help..My last was CBT and for me wasn't a cure but as it focuses on the here and now i felt it was beneficial to me in helping me maybe think outside of my head etc..It doesn't work for everybody but stick at it..Nothing is a cure but if we have some self-help tools to take away with us it's a start.. Sometimes it's like being imprisoned in my own head and it just keeps on feeding from me..OCD and Anxiety etc..I do find it difficult and at the same time know it's irrational behaviour but it can be difficult to think differently as we don't come with a On / Off switch (Wish we did)!!!

There is still alot of stigma surrounding mental health and those who don't experience it do find it difficult to understand..I keep mine to myself mostly only close friends know and my husband ..I really struggle when under stress more so ..Have you anybody you can confide in you trust ? Mental illness can make you feel isolated and lonely!!!

I to have suffered with OCD for years and GAD and depression etc...CBT worked great for me but it's never a cure..You have to put in the work that they give you to do..I only had 12 sessions and wish they could of offered me more but it's a great therapy to have . Still struggle each day with my issues but i find if you have a passion follow it as it really helps me to focus away from my head !!!!