Equinoxygen

Mirtazapine, the antidepressant medication that I take, is notorious for causing weight-gain. Several studies have been conducted to establish whether the weight-gain is a consequence of increased appetite, or whether the medication slows metabolism. Because I was very conscious of the potential for weight-gain (I’m a bodybuilder, so becoming fat isn’t an option) I was extremely careful not to capitulate to the hunger pangs. And I didn’t get fatter. Mirtazapine has been a Godsend for me. I would urge everyone not to be dissuaded from trying any potentially beneficial medication because of a fear of side-effects.

Lisa davis - please don’t read my observation above as a criticism of how you manage your OCD. I’m genuinely just offering my take on paradoxer’s post. We each do our best. And I don’t claim to know any more about anything than anyone else!

I concur paradoxer. Oftentimes the what, irrespective of the why, is the most beneficial focus. If I developed arthritic ankles, I wouldn’t delve headlong into a protracted study of my heritage in the hope of identifying from which of my ancestors I’d inherited it. Nor would I bemoan every football I’d ever booted. I’d concentrate on amelioration in the here and now. In my opinion, OCD is most effectively treated in the same way.

I dig this the most Handy. ? Whilst I will never cease striving to improve my health/circumstances/mental wellbeing, there is much to be said for gratitude. Counting my blessings everyday (even if some days I don’t get close to double figures!) is, for me, essential to preventing my head from falling off.

Good morning Phil19. May I ask, is it generally important to you to always be in control? In my experience, fate has a pesky habit of scrutinising one’s carefully laid plans, then laughing it’s mischievous head off. If life has taught me anything, it’s that we have so very little control over what happens to us. What we can control, to some extent, is how we respond. We are also capable, with sufficient practice, of managing our expectations, so that what life brings us is often just fine. That’s not to say we shouldn’t strive for what we want. Just that happiness is fleeting. And a large proportion of everyone’s life is occupied just getting through. By all means follow your dreams. But be prepared to play the hand you’re dealt.

No problem at all ocdishell. ? Discussing a disorder that heaps misery upon its sufferers day after day is bound to create high emotion. I admire your passion. And I only wish for you the same peace I wish for everyone on the forum. ?

You’re very welcome. And you too.

I’m as sure as it’s ever possible to be(!) that this is nonsense (as I’m sure you are too nat1111)... Psychosis is a lack of awareness. OCD causes one to become all too aware. Absolutely so. ?

Absolutely not. I’m merely stating (correctly) that to successfully battle OCD, one needs to accept that one cannot ever hope to have absolute certainty. That there is always doubt. nat1111... Please don’t be sidetracked by the above. And please do reread my initial post below:

Coincidentally, the percentage of OCD sufferers who can accept that there is a percentage chance their fear might be realised, is the exact same percentage who have a chance of beating their OCD. ?

It helped me. 1% is a degree of uncertainty I’m able to tolerate. To have that scientific quantification was a comfort when I was in the throes of this particular theme. Ultimately, to improve one has to accept that there is a chance one’s fear will be realised. I’m simply sharing what was beneficial in my experience.

Hi nat1111 and welcome to the forum. Fear of psychosis is something that I wrestled with for about 5 years as a younger chap. All of the perceived warning signs you identify (shadows, flashes and so on) I too became hyper vigilant against. In order to move past this fear, it’s vital that you learn to accept that (like every other human) you have around a 1% chance of experiencing a psychotic episode in your lifetime. So the odds are stacked very much in your favour. However, if you happen to be among the tiny minority, you’ll receive the requisite treatment and you’ll recover. Successfully battling OCD is all about learning to accept uncertainty (and having faith in your capacity to cope should the worst happen).

Good evening Charley Welcome to the forum. I myself have not experienced the theme you describe, however I have seen it referenced on the forum many times. I’m certain a friendly member will provide some beneficial insight in the fullness of time. Hang on in there...

It’s possible. It’s also possible that your colleagues have something or someone else entirely on their minds. Perhaps they’re just happy in their work. Or maybe they’re simpletons, vacantly grinning and gurning the day away! Who can say for sure? I think what might be at play here is a touch of overanalysing on your part. Completely understandable. When we’re not feeling tip-top it’s common to emphasise the negative. Might you be the only one who noticed? In my experience, other folk are so absorbed by their own tedious lives, they have very little interest in what others may or may not be going through. I appreciate that life is tough at the mo. These troughs invariably give way to the next peak given sufficient time. Try, if you can, not to give too much attention to how you perceive yourself currently. You don’t need the added pressure of such subjective scrutiny.

Morning Headwreck It sounds like you’re going through the mill presently. Forgive my not yet being familiar with your history and situation. Is the medication to which you refer an antidepressant? If so, I can report from personal experience that the first few days and weeks can be rough. So, yes, the way you’re feeling could, at least in part, be a consequence of the meds. I also know that taking them sporadically can worsen side effects. So, if you’ve been prescribed them and you’re determined to give them a fair chance, you really need to take them consistently. The side effects, whilst bothersome, should lessen over time. I myself quit a job many moons ago because of difficulties with my mental wellbeing. For me, it proved to be a monumental mistake. For all the unpleasantness that work often yields, once it’s removed from one’s daily routine, what’s left is a gaping hole just waiting to be filled with worry and rumination. Everyone is different of course. And it’s a call only you can make. I wonder if you’ve ever engaged in any kind of therapeutic treatment designed to help you build resilience. The NHS provide groups specifically aimed towards equipping one with the tools to cope with difficult emotions. It might be worth asking your GP for a referral to CMHT if you haven’t already done so. I hope life begins to go a little easier on you today. And, if it doesn’t, be mindful that we are all capable of far more than we credit ourselves for. Wishing you a peaceful day.