100TowelsaDay!

Hi Ashley I am so pleased and grateful that you decided to start this thread. I have several problems within the realms of OCD, but this particular problem has been present since the age of 12 and I am now in my mid 30's. I have no idea how much I have spent on cleaning products/replacing clothes etc. over the years, but let's just say it would have easily amounted to a very large deposit towards a nice house! Since I have the same problem as you, I will respect your request not to post about my habits and rituals, but just wanted to drop by and offer my support, and also thank the other posters who have made a fantastic contribution to this thread. I wish you the very best with your therapy. Jason

Bye

Hi Ashley I would also really like some to distribute, but was unable to send you a PM. I had an error message: "Ashley cannot receive messages". If I cannot send you my address via PM, I was wondering if you had it on my OCD-UK membership file? Thanks, Jason

I would also be interested if this goes ahead.

How do you think that these thoughts and feelings compare to that of a genuine paedophile? I think these few lines alone reveal exactly what's going on here. OCD thrives on this type of thinking and doubt! Think about it; if it didn't 'feel' real, where would the anxiety come from? 100TaD!

I get this every day without fail. I wake-up with what can only be described as a surge of anxiety and a feeling of vulnerability. Not a great way to start the day.

I've just checked and the links to the last 4 weeks programmes have been posted (covering different issues), but last night's OCD episode isn't there yet. I'll keep checking and post as soon as it's available.

Hi. I'm hoping to post the replayer link tomorrow if they make it available. If not, it should be available the day after I would have thought. 100TaD!

Hi Thijs I'm currently looking to see if I can find a link so the programme can be streamed online from the ITV website. If I can't find one, I'll contact them for advice and let you know what they say. 100TaD!

I have posted this in the 'OCD in the media' forum. However, as you need to be a member to view the information, I'm posting this here so even the non-members get a chance to view it (I hope this is ok). On Tuesday 26th July, ITV Wales are covering OCD on the show 'Wales this Week' at 7.30pm. Here is the description for the programme: "Secret Obsessions: A look at the secret lives of people suffering from one of the most devastating and hidden mental health illnesses - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." The programme promises to be decent as they want to address the difference between those that claim to be "a bit OCD" to those with the real thing. For those of you outside of Wales, I know that it is possible to gain access to other regions of BBC on SKY, but I'm not sure about ITV. If you can't, perhaps someone with more internet/tech. knowledge than myself can hopefully guide you to a way to view online. All the best, 100TaD!

Hi everyone. On Tuesday 26th July, ITV Wales are covering OCD on the show 'Wales this Week' at 7.30pm. Here is the description for the programme: "Secret Obsessions: A look at the secret lives of people suffering from one of the most devastating and hidden mental health illnesses - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." The programme promises to be decent as they want to address the difference between those that claim to be "a bit OCD" to those with the real thing. For those of you outside of Wales, I know that it is possible to gain access to other regions of BBC on SKY, but I'm not sure about ITV. If you can't, perhaps someone with more internet/tech. knowledge than myself can hopefully guide you to a way to view online. All the best, 100TaD!

This book was recommended to me by several therepists and I've found it to be very good. In fact, i'm going to purchase another copy for my family to read.

Hi I first went to my GP who referred me to a psychiatrist, she then sent me for an assessment at Maudsley Hospital (I'm now waiting on a decision over funding for treatment). All of this took place over a few years, mainly because I had trouble opening-up and kept a lot of the issues to myself, but probably would have taken place sooner had I been more honest with the doctors. Whilst you are waiting for CBT, my advice would be to ask to be referred to your local mental health unit (normally part of your nearest hospital) and see a psychiatrist. They will have a specialist knowledge of the medications that will help you, and will carry maximum weight if you need assistance in applying for treatment or funding from your local health board. Good luck getting help, 100TaD!

All the best Annabel, I hope it goes well for you.

Yes, this really was sad. I read a few days ago that police have now dropped the investigation against the parents. However, the mother has now unfortunately had to go into a care home. Here is the address to the Daily Mail if anyone wants to read it: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1384810/Couple-accused-killing-OCD-daughter-Samantha-Hancox-cleared.html I also read on another paper (sundaymercury) that an enquiry is taking place to see what assistance the family should have been receiving: http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2011/05/15/social-services-face-probe-over-tipton-ocd-death-66331-28694643/

I live just outside Cardiff and will be happy to help in any way I can. At the moment, this may be leaflet distribution but I'm open minded to other things.

Obviously I have limited information to make a decision here, but a couple of things come to mind. If your existing employer is offering severance, then it's clear they are struggling and your future there isn't guaranteed even if you stay. So, my thinking would be that if you take the redundancy offer, you have an immediate safety net to put in the bank whilst making a go at your fathers' business. However, only you know how successful this business is and whether you will like doing this long term, but at least you wouldn't be leaving your current job without options. I hope whatever you decide works out well. 100TaD!

Hi Pip. Sorry to hear that, it must be hugely frustrating for you right now. I'm due to find out whether I'm being sent to Maudsley on the 11th of January, but have been told not to get my hopes up as most trusts don't like parting with money to be used outside of their own region. I was also told that if it is the worst case scenario and I'm refused, there are some 'other routes' to explore. I'm not sure what these are at the moment, but if they turn out to be helpful, I'll be sure to let you know about them after the 11th. All the best, 100TaD!

Hi Ella. I wish you the best with this. I can still remember the feelings I had when first going. If you are new to the surgery and not sure about the doctors, my advice would be to ask for one who specialises in anxiety/depression disorders (most GP's have their own area of expertise). Also, I hope you can avoid the mistake I made and open-up as much as you can - it helps them see the 'big picture'. I found one part of my OCD in particular so painfully embarrassing that I kept it to myself for 2 years, thus they failed to see how much I was suffering. I know it's easier said than done, but the doctor really has been hugely supportive since I let her know everything. Keeping it inside can feel soul crushing at times. OCD tends to like secrets. Lawrie really has given some great advice there, and I wish I'd had the clarity of mind to write things down myself. As for your boyfriend - have you given him some leaflets or a book to get a better understanding? There is also a wealth of info on the homepage of this site that may help him gain a better picture of what OCD is. I really hope this works out well for you. 100TaD!

Hi rubeejs. I'm sorry to hear you're lonely right now. Loneliness and isolation is a dreadful thing for anyone to go through - I'm also in the same situation. It seems to be another unfortunate downside to OCD as a good number of us seem to experience this. I can't always manage to get online, but I'll also be happy to chat when I am. I hope things get better for you. 100TaD!

Gutted I missed this one - I'll be there next time for sure!

Hi Apple. It's great to see someone out there fighting and making progress. As someone with contamination OCD myself, I can imagine the effort and work you must have put in to make the progress - especially with the towel (as you can tell by my name, I really can relate to this ). At the moment I'm on a waiting list for CBT and related treatments, so I appreciate people posting their progress stories. It definitely provides support and encouragement. Keep up the good work, Apple, I hope it goes well for you. 100TaD!

Oh yes, I can relate to this one strongly! Touching objects along with some intrusive thoughts are my earliest memories of OCD at around 4 or 5 years old. If I walked through a door and brushed it with my left arm, I'd then have to do it with the right one. I still go through this now. It also has to be done a certain number of times - but never 6,9 or 13 (as Hal said - until it feels 'right'). This would later progress to a point where I had to repeatedly open and shut doors - basically any object that required movement would need to be done a particular number of times. I hope you can find the right help. It can be very frustrating at times. I had to go to 3 GP's within the same practice before I was taken seriously. When I did find the right doctor, though, she was tremendous, so there is help out there if we keep trying. Best of luck, 100TaD!

Hi Chris. This is definitely one of the things that has held me back the most. I've never personally made a direct link with this to my OCD, but as you said, no doubt anxiety is a major factor. Similar to Lily, for me it's not so much the email, but the telephone, interview or the thought of face to face contact with a potential employer that provides horrific anxiety. Even preparing a CV is extremely stressful and a major grind to get through. As with yourself, holding concentration for long enough is hard going! I don't know if your local jobcentre offers the same service as mine, but, if they do, there should be someone on hand to give you some assistance with getting your CV in order and providing some advice in general to go with it. My centre also had an Occupational Therapist on hand to help me with some anxiety issues. I'm not sure how you feel about approaching them, but they can be very helpful when looking for work, and everything is strictly confidential. Obviously this isn't a replacement for any other therapy you are receiving, but some additional support to get you through a stressful job change. Good luck, 100TaD!

Hi. It would make sense. Things such as starting a new job can often be a nervous situation that induces anxiety for a lot of us, and as OCD is an anxiety disorder it may very well be a trigger. I know that events such as this make my OCD worse as it takes me out of my 'comfort zone'. I don't know if it will help you at all, but the advice given to me when facing a daunting situation was to do some breathing/calming exercises to help control the anxiety and, as a reult, it seemed to take the 'edge' off my OCD (not completely, but made it managable). All the best with the job, 100TaD!