northpaul

We have come right back to where we started from: 'OCD is literally taking over my whole life' - that was your topic title! Knowing/not knowing - does it matter?

Monopoly

I think this is a common issue, dealing with depression and OCD. One question is 'which is the primary issue?' There seems to be two groups that I have seen on these forums: Those with underlying depression that drives the OCD behaviours Those who suffer with debilitating OCD that that drives the depression Which group would you say that you fit into? Or maybe both goups - it can become a very challenging circle. For me personally, the depression is the primary condition and that has to be dealt with first. Once the mood lifts then the OCD behaviours can reduce, either due to the mood lift or with therapy added.

Bar

Tide

That is good to hear. What steps are you taking to enhance those good things? I am finding that when I do push myself to get involved in the good things then the OCD behaviours do tend to retreat in to the background.

Pudding

Standstill

Summer

Grammar

Word

Randomiser.... a device or system that introduces randomness into a process or selection. (definition taken from a selection of dictionaries} Mathematical statistics and probabilty are part of that branch of randomness. The national lottery and bingo machines are probably well known examples of a randomiser. Which part of our thinking is linked to a randomiser and how will it make me think ''normal'' whatever normal is perceived to be?

Gather

(...gy) Bank

Pork

At first glance I thought it was a picture of a modern pop star!

Ginger

Yes I agree. Frustration is another word I would use. I find sometimes having a good vent blasts out some of those metaphorical OCD cobwebs out of my head. I have empathy with folks having a vent on here but remember we are all in the boat and we stand together.

Hankerchief

Pollen

Parched

Lemon

Hello and welcome to the forums. It seems like you have understanding of how OCD works. It is good to hear that you are wanting to make progress in recovery so that you have more control over your life than OCD has at the moment. The wanting to see recovery is important. Could I ask in what way are you 'scared' of taking medication? I was also scared to take medication mainly due to the ''what if'' something bad happens and I have bad side effects. In the end I had to start the meds (fluoxetine). I was glad I did so because my mood started to lift. When my mood starts to lift that gives me a more positive outlook and I am more receptive to therapy and then my OCD behaviours have reduced. My quality of life is improved.

That is because you got busy doing something else. So what are you going to get busy with now?

Ally