winnebago13

Thanks Gemma. Appreciate it.

Hi Gemma yes, I’ve discussed it with her. It’s my own checking/rumination that brings it back to the front and centre of my mind. But I don’t know how to stop it... W

I finally have an OCD diagnosis after 20 years of suffering which I suppose Is something. My problem is with intrusive thoughts about harm/sexual topics. But everyone and everything is triggering it: passersby, people on the TV, family and friends. I have absolutely NO fear that I’d ever act on these thoughts. The fear is that I will never be able to stop having these thoughts - not even for a single second. This is a self fulfilling prophecy. I have no respite. my therapist is doing exposure therapy with me where I have to focus on having thoughts that “I’ll never be able to stop having these thoughts”. I’ve been doing it weeks now and nothing seems to be happening. has anyone has similar experiences?

Phil - thank you so much for such a detailed reply. I am in the process of finding a therapist and will discuss all this with them. Kind regards Winn

I'd be grateful if someone could tell me whether this is OCD or not. It goes like this: Interaction - say a conversation with a neighbour or washing up Thought - "You'll never be able to stop thinking about thinking. Focus. Concentrate" I'm wondering if I've been advised wrongly.

The constant (and I mean constant) rumination is what I’m told is the compulsion. Interesting you say that though. I was told it was a form of hyperawareness ocd. The sleep thing is almost certainly worry though I agree. I’ve had breathing and blinking before too and classic POCD on hurting people. I’ve been able to overcome the others forms over the years but I’m stuck on thoughts.

In fact if anyone can think up one of those thought experiments for me “theory A/Theory B” type, I’d be enormously grateful. So far I have to agree with my OCD and anxiety that yes it is indeed ruining my life and I’ll never be able to stop thinking about thinking. There’s no alternative narrative that I can get on board with.

I have tried CBT at least 8 times. It has never worked for me.

Hi Gemma Thanks for your reply. Absolutely, yes. It means I can concentrate on nothing else. And I'm missing out on my life. I don't know what to do. This is going to go on forever. i'm already on a high dose of SSRI but nothing is helping. I don't know what to do.... Winn

Hi This is the first time I've posted on here. I've suffered from OCD most of my life (but didn't really know it until a few years back). It used to focus on sleep; specifically insomnia and my ability to go to sleep. It still does to some degree. But a horrible new dynamic has emerged over the last few months. I now cannot stop noticing my own thoughts. The fear is not in the noticing but in the absence it produces in my life. I am missing out on so much; its through every interaction, every action, every single second of the day it feels like. I don't know how to even begin to tackle it. I read Adam Shaw and Lauren Callaghan's CBT book about Exposure and Response Prevention. But I am constantly exposed to my worry, have no compulsions (bar the rumination) and can't think of a way to "expose" myself to the fear... Has anyone else had this or know someone who has been through what I am? Kind regards Winn