ocd veteran

I have had severe ocd since the age of 16, I am now 63. I have Improved massively over the Decades, especially the last 3 or 4 years due to Videos I have come across from a ocd expert ( A Women) You have classic ocd Worto no matter what anybody tells you. However you still need to cut down and eventually stop this Obsessive Ruminating altogether.

I went to my GP and got referred, i think that is always the best way forward. After that when i talked to an expert i only started the process of recovery when i started to tell "ALL AND MORE". I found it very hard to open up, but that was the best thing i ever did; the help was amazing. If you are able to talk to your Family that's great, but it may be better seeing the doctor first. The very best of luck.

Hello friend, I feel for you, I can see you are suffering. Can you be more specific about your Compulsions and your Anxiety. I would like to help If possible!

Hi Ashley. First of all i wasn't suggesting this person be an alternative to a Proper therapist. I only mentioned this person because after 47 years of severe suffering it helped me far more than anything previously! It may well be that i had reached a stage where it suited me because of my Intensive thearapy and progression which had gone on for decades; I won't mention this person again if you think it is in any way negative, sorry. I will stick with specific answers for individual questions.

I would go through your GP. That's what i did although it was a long time ago. There are many self-help books, the one that helped me the most was "Brain Lock" by Jeffrey M Schwartz. Since then i have found Ali Greymond Videos on utube which are free. Good Luck.

I wouldn't call myself an" ex-sufferer" but what i would say is my recovery over the last 3 years has been to a degree i never thought was possible compared to the very slow but definite progress i had during the previous 35 years of my recovery. The 9 years previous to that when i first started with OCD was like a complete OCD nightmare i had no control of. My recovery originally started with me seeing a Fantastic Physiatrist, learning to do the right things and medication that i have been on for 28 years. The off the scale recovery over the last 3 years is since i discovered Ali Greymond Videos.

Hello Oddleylost., Studies have shown that people with OCD and people without OCD get the same thoughts. The only difference is people with OCD react with fear to them, people without OCD pass them off as silly thoughts and don't engage them. If you not getting Anxiety anymore that is a good thing surely. The secret to defeating OCD is don't respond! Footnote; When i started on Medication i was told it would take a couple of weeks to kick in, it actually took about 6 weeks, but then it worked; i guess it's different for everyone.

What DRS1 says is absolutely right. Sit it out and don't engage; if you do this it will fade. Ruminating on this or any OCD symptom is the worse thing you can do.

Hi DCoop,, The best way to deal with periods like you mention is to not respond, not react and don't ruminate. If you can stop rumination you stop OCD, It's not easy I know only to well, but I promise you it's the only way. I highly recommend Ali Greymond Videos, please check them out.

As northpole says it is important to see your GP. It would be helpful to see an OCD expert to guide you. When i first sought help i went through my GP that was back in 1982 it led me in the right direction; also there is a lot more knowledge of OCD now. Can i also highly recommend Ali Greymond Videos on OCD they have MASSIVELY HELPED ME. Good Luck.

Hi greenfrog, I don't believe for a second you have cheated. As you say you'd never do that; this has all the Hallmarks of OCD trying to trick you, don't fall for it.

It's a coincidence honestly and you must accept that whatever OCD tells you. Over the past 47 years of my very, very, very, severe OCD torments i have had very similar fears and at first i believed them; It's nonsense i promise you. Don't fall for OCD'S LIES.

Eualice2, We with OCD have no control over the thoughts that come into our minds. This is typical OCD playing on the opposite. The opposite that is to person you really are. It is normal for anybody with OCD or without OCD to have up to 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts a day, some of them are bound to be weird, that thought you had is normal because as horrendous as it seems everyone can and does get thoughts like that, the only difference is that people who don't have OCD or are not about to develop OCD react with Indifference, they think silly thought moving on. A Quote from Ali Greymond "If you worry about being Bad you are good"

I get the impression you are just trying to shut these thoughts out of your head at all costs, running away from the thought, petrified of it entering your head. You would be much better off thinking " I just don't care anymore, tell me what ever you want OCD, I am going to take no notice." These thoughts come into your head in a way you cannot control. You have to live parallel with them and stop trying to force them out.

Hi HMW, The above post is spot on. As a suffer for 47 years who has suffered such thoughts what Bev 53 is saying is 100% right. These thoughts do not come in to the mind in a way you can control. You must try to do all the things She says in Her post. I would recommend listening to Ali Greymond Videos on utube She has done over 1000 Videos on OCD. Many on this subject . She has also written many books including Sexual OCD Recovery.

Hi Ashley, I have been taking Fluoxetine for 28 years now and can honestly say i have had no side effects whatsoever. I can only speak for myself, others may disagree. I also can honestly say they were a massive benefit to me. I started on 1 a day and gradually progressed to 3 a day. i wouldn't be without them. I have been told they don't suit everyone, but i guess that's the case with all medications.

Hi Summer, When my Black Lab Cross was a puppy one of his best friends was an Adult Staffie who he Jumped all over. The Staffie was so gentle with him. They do have a bad name, but it's just depends on the owner and you are obviously a very good and loving owner.

A Quote from Ali Greymond "If you worry about being bad, then you are good" A bad person would not worry about being bad. You obviously do. This fear of yours is 100% OCD.

Hi Summer, I love Dogs too and always have. I lost my Dog six and a half years ago. He was everything to me; my Black Lab cross. Just try to make the most of every day with Her. It is just as bad as losing a human if you as close as i was and you obviously are, it is however comforting to remember the nice memories afterwards. You will cope i am sure. I will always be here to talk and would be happy to talk positively to you in the Future; As i say make the most of Her and give Her a Big Cuddle now

Hi there, You have to resist fixing it if you are to get better. The only way you can stop trying to fix it is do what you know is right. Force yourself to clean things normally like other people do. Force yourself to check normally like other people do and stop Rumination about all OCD subjects; but to achieve this goal you must be prepared to put up with discomfort even suffering for a short period; you are obviously suffering all the time now with no end in sight. If you do the right things and i am sure you know what they are, at least you will see progress and ultimately an end to your suffering, if you see it through. I recommend listening to Ali Greymond on utube she has done over one thousand Videos on OCD.

Well done Summer. That really is a great achievement, congratulations. You are quite right to be proud of yourself. Onwards and upwards.

Just A, This is one hundred per cent OCD, I think you know that. You have to make a decision to move on and stop Ruminating on this and every OCD theme no matter how hard it is; It will be difficult, it will involve short term discomfort, even mental suffering but that is exactly what what is happening now ,Suffering, constant Suffering without progress; the other way your will see yourself Improving and Ultimately getting better; you just have to make that decision, not look back, only forward and completely eliminate Rumination one hundred%

That's spot on

Thoughts like you had about your Dad are one hundred % OCD. You cannot control the way these thoughts come into your mind, you have to live parallel to them. You must not ruminate on them, that just makes it worse and gives the thoughts power. Take care.