ThreeTimesGuy

I detested much of this video and found myself wishing that she had banged her head on the monkey bars, not her arm. It's extremely difficult to obtain decent help for OCD, government non-funding restricts respite in a mental health ward to people with psychotic illnesses. I can read all day about Bi-Polar Disorder, Schizophrenic spectrums, autistic spectrums and eating disorders. Yet, if OCD (not OCPD) truly affects one in a hundred people then 700,000 people are suffering from OCD in the UK, sometimes with other complaints and it's still used as a kind of catchment as in 'I'm a bit OCD'. The lack of research into the illness, the extreme treatments available for it and their success and failure need to be explored and safeguarded. And does OCD transcend into psychosis? If so then this woman is proof of a delusion, not an anxiety disorder. My own OCD has improved my arithmetic as I have to calculate numbers every few minutes. The flip side is and someone has already mentioned this that I don't know who I am or what I can achieve and not being able to ever drive, having a criminal record, having abused drugs and alcohol to quell the compulsions at least has left me in a position where if I make a friend then there's a new worry, a relationship, a new worry, a job and so on. I stay safe and shut-in, or did, but refuse to anymore! This woman may well have OCD but inviting it in as she has done is so dangerous; it's all part of a North American culture of 'I can deconstruct my mental health problems and nurture them'. Well, good luck! She hasn't even considered that she may have OCPD traits or even vertigo because a doctor has told her she has OCD and we too, in the UK, except all too readily what our GP's and so-called specialists say and we become what they dictate. A low iron count on one blood test, I must be anaemic and need ferrous fumigate everyday for the rest of my life! Instead off encouraging OCD to manifes itself in a positive manner (because it doesn't work), why aren't we striving to get to the roots of why we suffer this and that it needs to be regarded as a serious mental health problem? A psychiatrist or two or a thousand could do with looking at this site and attempting to empathise with the pain that it generally causes. This gifted and supported individual isn't holed up in a flat somewhere in the midlands, heartbroken at the naivety of the police, the criminal justice system, nurses and Doctors all over the country as well as the general public and their mis-representations. It reminds me of the birth of 'care in the community' when newspapers began to demonise the psychotically ill for manslaughter or murder. We're not understood either and deplorably, sceptically, I can see this trend to ignore those suffering from OCD depleting even further if we don't shout loud enough and band together. What's really wrong here?

Who gives a ****? Only you and why? Because you have an illness called OCD. The past is a foreign country and all that malarkey is the truth. Telling you to forget things is unhelpful and ridiculous reassurance TBH. Seek help and live your happy life and use those good looks and good personality to your benefit and be happy. You need help Fantasy Nerd, not self-hatred or reassurance. Seek it out. I recently joined MIND in Rushden and like yourself, I'm pessimistic about my OCD and getting treatment, but I walked out of my induction and breathed a sigh of relief that had been trapped inside for many years. There are some lovely, dedicated and qualified people who can help you understand that you are not this or that ugly character that you believe yourself to be. Polar Bear has told the one truth.....this is all unhelpful rumination. You need help, not penance or punishment, Please venture towards it. I wish you and me and everyone all the very best success in destroying this bloody illness. Stu.

We are human beings with fetishes, attractions, distractions, all kinds of sexuality and power play is just one of them. You're not a monster and you know that. Your moral code is perfectly intact and if it wasn't then you wouldn't give a jot and certainly wouldn't be posting on this or any other forum with concerns that hurt you. It's your OCD that is dictating this self-loathing. Not your sexual preferences which are normal, human and certainly not wicked. Know that it is OCD and know that you have a disorder that can be treated successfully if you engage with people who can help you and start to live a happy existence which you and me and everyone on here deserves. Stu.

Hey HDC, You are overthinking the problem, but this is the compulsive aspect of 'pure'. Our obsessions and compulsions are intrinsically linked within our heads. Often, the compulsion is the amount of thought and time we give to these compulsions. Analysing, deconstructing and attempting to placate (searching for answers or reassurance in pe4ople's behaviour, their words or attitude or our own, trying to dismiss this or that etc). Searching the internet for answers or probing friends for evidence of this or that are outward compulsions, although we often don't realise this. I came on here today to suss out some benevolent and practical help for myself for this very problem. I am beginning to have horrid thoughts of the road death ofd animals, people around me dying, mentally putting myself into terrible catch-22 scenario's or ones in which I expose weaknesses in myself such as what lengths I would go to or not or how much pain I would be willing to endure for a loved one. I have found that Sertraline has helped me. I don't know whether you are on meds. Of course the side-effects aren't pleasant and can cause problems in themselves. I find for instance that a routine lack of sex-drive for a long period of time induces in me a laziness and non-plussed attitude to how I look physically, How clean I am and whether I buy clothes or not. The essence is, why bother because I don't need to attract women right now. This leads to laziness, but also a certain amount of self-loathing and shame on further thought. I', socially isolated as well, how about you? Obsessions about your partner are often signs of control or loss of control, which OCD largely is. The fear that, despite your best efforts, you will lose them or similar. I believe that talking to the right person always helps. Have you got someone that you trust to talk to about this? Perhaps not your partner at first anyways as it partially involves them. This will help. More structured help exists, although how easily obtainable this is, or at least ho9w quickly, often depends on your own financial circumstances. Good things are said about treatments such as CBT and Exposure Therapy, alas I haven't had any of this so make sure that you ask around on here and don't let yourself wander. Exercise is a real winner and I have heard speak of vitamins and herbal remedies, warm baths and relaxation working a godsend. Perhaps be aware of what you don't need though. The influence of Television and media articles pertaining to your situation are often unhelpful if you're seeking reassurance, so don't seek it, the nature of your illness means that it isn't an option for us. I am assuming that you have OCD and that you are sure that is what it is. People are generally aware without having to be told. Seeking reassurance, via any method will fuel the paranoia and panic. Knock it all on the head and chat to someone and Thank you HDC, vocalising this was the sort of cathartic exercise that I believe I needed to right now so bless you! heart. The Best Of Everything To You, TTG,

Saz, Of course you think this way, you suffer from OCD. It doesn't have to remain this way though. As Snowbear said in a post that I read today (I will have to paraphrase), tackling your OCD is difficult, knowing how to go about tackling it is not. You could try accessing and implementing the many. many tools and techniques documented on here by others who have succeeded Saz and at the same time, remember, if they can do it and have done it, then you can too!! Definitely you can Saz. I'm not usually an advocate of motivational signs and sayings, but one I saw the other day has really helped me and I hope that it helps you too Saz. 'Stop looking back to the past, you aren't travelling that way'. Stu x

I find that if I take the time (say twenty minutes or so) to relax before bed, by making sure that I don't need the loo, cleaning my teeth and having a wash and then practising some light tensing and intending of muscles and maybe visualising me and my bed leaving through my window and visiting other places around me, peacefully as the world sleeps, that sleep comes without having to be asked as much. Meditating like this really helps me. if i go to bed having played computer games or having read something deep or graphic, my mind wanders on to paths that aren't helpful, themes of the past or present concerns unravel themselves and this is far from sleep-inducing. A box of treats or a spiritual first-aid kind of bow, that's been suggested is a great idea. Fantastic! Thank you. I am not sure whether my box will be real or theoretical, but like the mind palace idea to practice and attain a clear and navigable mind, this seems like a winner!!

Hey Saz. Were you really taking the advice that Taurean gave you by watching such a programme? Did you know the content? Was it curiosity that made you watch this and then turned around and bit you in the bum? I'm having to reference my own patterns of behaviour now (that's all that we can do) and I know that I sometimes watch things that I know may trigger me, because I think that these programmes will give me some relief maybe or just out of some fascination, as if I'm flirting with my OCD so to speak. The experience is almost always a negative one. As Taurean says Saz, give yourself a massive break, you're doing really well and concentrate on facing what you must tackle to lead a full life and ignore that (TV programmes, articles, films) which you have a choice in. And thanks for raising this Saz and for giving such a great suggestion Taurean. It's so simple, yet a pitfall I often wander into myself and must look out for. I have read many of your posts Saz and replied to a few too, I believe. You're a great mum. Take Care. All The Best, Stu x

Hey POS, Please bare in mind that these people giving advice and trying their hardest to understand have exactly the same illness as yourself, on this forum anyway. What you describe is sad. I am thirty-four now and have spent the last ten years or more addicted to Benzo's, alcohol and just about every bloody drug under the sun and yeah, it brings a tear to my eye to think too deeply about this situation of my own and to hear about others feeling and doing the same. Confront this now, you're still so young and strong. And Happy Birthday, I do mean that and even though it clearly wasn't much of a Birthday for you this year, the power to make next years birthday a great day is in your hands. People who post on here offering advice do understand and it's disheartening to not always hear what you want to or feel that you need to, I know. Remind yourself of all of the good things in your life, write them down and treasure them. Even better, start to recognise all the great things that you want to do, to achieve. It's all out there for you Dude! All My Best Wishes Go Out To You, TTG,

All the best Jampot, I hope that you get the help that you need this time TTG,

OK PB, thanks for getting back to me. Saddaniels, you're so much closer than you realise so open your eyes. I admire your complexity of thought, you have a questionng and open mind, Brilliant!! Please don't let it be your own worst enemy though. You have a huge amount of insight and wisdom there. Thanks PB and Saddaniels, you are comprehending things now, so grasp and achieve them. TTG,

There is no need, more it's counter-productive to expose yourself to that which you already recognise as not holding any power or logic, so why believe that you have to in order to battle away at your OCD. You have won many battles that you don't even seem aware of. Questioning the logic and consequently the illogical being certain exposures proves that. You're beyond what you're ruminating about, you perceive how non-sensical the need to expose yourself to a situation is. You can therefore progress now. It\s like you've perceived how easily it is for you to run a marathon that you're determined to go back to the start line and run it backwards. Saddaniels, there are no hard and fast rules that say you must suffer, that you must struggle infinitely with rumination and exposure and that if you do not, you aren't moving forwards. You're doing so well and the one unfortunate aspect is that you fail to recognise your insight as progression. Dude you're achieving, those exposures are behind you, not in front of you. Do you see this even though it may mot be a wholly lucid thought? You're vaguely aware (and the uncertain is frightening, I know) that you are grasping and coping with your situation and that it's only one more step towards flourishing!! Good on you fe;;a, TTG,

Compulsions aren't necessarily physical and as a consequence, neither do your exposures and general reactions to them have to be. You don't have to project a physical situation on to your obsessions, compulsions and subsequent exposure so don't and don't believe that you have to. I hope that you begin to be able to appreciate and practice this, you are quite clearly capable of doing so and you can and will start to do so. We believe in you! TTG,

Of course we can empathise, we have OCD as you do. But to condone or offer an answer, you know yourself that it is a fruitless and unhelpful task. Surely hearing (quite incorrectly) that yes, your predicament is completely out of your control and yes, you're screwed, doesn't help you? Honestly it shouldn't and even if it does provide some temporary solace then you must and do know that it is, ultimately, a fleeting gesture and an equally fleeting sense of relief that you have gained? To all of your questions the truthful answer will always be one which is difficult and complicated, you have to tackle these hard answers though.

Cognitive abilities are only gained as a result of them once being conscious effort that you have made many times and therefore they become automatic (cognitive). Because you haven't given this process a chance, you haven't experienced the benefits of doing so. [ractice and become that which you tell yourself. TTG,

And, with the same respect that you have extended me, you are quite capable of seeing the futility and implausible actions of a woman throwing a vase out of a window. This hypothetical questioning was quite clearly rhetoric and therefore do and have proven that you understand and appreciate the reasonable from the unreasonable. You don't struggle to disassociate these actions and reactions. However, this insight isn't necessarily conscious or more appropriately, a way of thinking that you are at this time applying to your own situation. Saddaniels' this isn't an attack on you (and I'm aware that at no time have you accused me of this), there are however, one or two posters on the forum at this time who are doing all that they can to be purposefully antagonistic. You are not. This unseen but intuitive sense of 'knowing' is clearly in you and please, nurture it. L;listen toPolarbear and others, he know his biscuits from his pop tarts, so give peace (in that strong mind of yours) a chance. Best Of Everything. TTG,