Looking for people with similar OCD troubles

[Guest GreenPark22]

Hey everyone,

I am new on this forum and am glad to have found so many people discussing OCD. I have been living with OCD and anxiety since I was age 14/15. Back in the day I was quite a severe case, with routines to do all day to prevent 'bad things from happening' I have seen a breathing specialist and therapist for a short while and I must say I have gotten rid of the severe OCD and anxiety simply because it was making my live difficult (I hardly went outside of the house anymore). Unfortunately it never went away completely and I often wish I could feel relaxed and 'normal' and be able to live my life and have fun.

It is such a shame anxiety and OCD can tie you down like this, I often fear going places, for small things, like 'I might throw up, faint or get ill and people will think Im strange and abnormal'

I wonder if there are people with similar fears or traditions, who would like to share their experiences with me

[Guest PassTheHelp]

Hey Greenpark welcome to the forum!

I can put my hand up as one of your gang currently I am avoiding doing anything for fear of making a mistake, messing up, failing ..... it's exhausting isn't it? Where we diverge is your problems seem to be connected with that others will think of you mine is that I will do something "wrong".

Anyway I just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

All the best.

[Guest GreenPark22]

Hey Greenpark welcome to the forum!

I can put my hand up as one of your gang currently I am avoiding doing anything for fear of making a mistake, messing up, failing ..... it's exhausting isn't it? Where we diverge is your problems seem to be connected with that others will think of you mine is that I will do something "wrong".

Anyway I just wanted to let you know you are not alone.

All the best.

Thanks! It is very exhausting, I do recognise what you say about doing something 'wrong' but I am more obsessed with wanting things to be perfect, I am not flexible at all and a big control freak. I am that 'crazy' (I like making fun of myself instead of being too serious at times) person wanting to sit by the exit, in case I need to 'escape' if I am at places, I dont want to sit in between people but at the side. Also things like having to touch things more than once, rewriting letters of a word because the first time writing it didnt 'feel good' etc are making me go crazy.

I have heard that breathing excersizes can help, but I think as a sufferer at times you are so 'strong' you are able to work yourself up about things even during those.

Im glad I have found a place to share my problems with others!

[Guest Hunnibee]

Hey There Greenpark

I just read your post and felt I should reply.

My main OCD problem is fear of harming people, but I suffer with other issues too.

After finding out about OCD I set about gathering information and trying to beat it, and things have become much easier. However, I used to suffer with IBS and after starting to overcome some of the harming issues my worries have been replaced with fear of going out somewhere and having "accidents" in public, so whenever I have to go some where I get really anxious, which sends me into a complete panic and I get really bad nausea which makes things worse. I started carrying a plastic bag with me so I can use it if I need to vomit whilst using public transport or something.

I am determined not to let it win but I do find myself finding ways round it, such as inviting people over instead of going out to meet up and when we do meet people I tend to drink as a way of calming myself down....not very healthy I know.

Just thought I would let you know you're not the only one!

[Guest Charlotte]

Hello

I just wanted to add something quickly - what you're describing sounds a lot like Social Anxiety - maybe be worth having a chat and asking if you could do some CBT to help with this too? It's not rare for it to go side by side with OCD and CBT is very effective on it.

That's all!

Lottie

[Guest Hunnibee]

Hi Lottie

Was this in relation to Greenpark post, or too both of us?

I have never heard of this this and was just wondering if looking into it might benefit me at all?

Thank you.

[Guest GreenPark22]

Hey Hunnibee, how 'funny' I carry plastic bags with me too!

Hm social anxiety, its possible, but I do notice that when I engage with people and enjoy being out and about I start relaxing and am less busy with myself (aka I need to keep myself busy and start doing fun things instead of keeping myself 'safe' at home or other 'safe' places). I think as you have OCD you become so aware of your own actions and being and obsess about them and create all kinds of 'what ifs', creating your anxiety and rituals.

But you are right a lot of these issues are related. What is the CBT you are talking about? I am not completely aware about all the terms, as I have never had medication or a lot of treatment for my issues (just a few theraphy sessions), I have relatives with anxiety issues and even friends close who have OCD, so have always had some people around to speak to about it, hence me not aware of it being so big and so many people having similar problems or who are even worse of. Its awful it controls our lives so much! We should all do our bests to stand up to it, but its hard!

[Guest Hunnibee]

Hey GreenPark

Wow, the plastic bag theory heh...One day I hope to be able to leave the house without worrying for ages before hand with no anxiety, and without packing plastic bags and tissue!

CBT is Cognitive behavioral therapy, but I have to say I don't know much about it. I don't live in Europe at the moment so I have had no treatment for OCD yet, which in one way makes it difficult but in another makes more more positive as I feel I have come a long way already with some of the issues all by myself...so with treatment I could be better one day!!

I would love to be able to step out of the house at a moments notice with no anxiety and to do normal everyday things that people do without having to plan my whole routine around it or obsess about it.