Let's Try To Look For The Positives Today!

[Guest Heryn.]

Thanks, taurean.

Positive: About to make another cup of tea.

Negative: Still very warm in my house.

[taurean]

Negative

Still struggling with blocked eustacian tubes (ongoing consequence of that bad virus attack I had 10 weeks ago so can't hear very well0 so its back to the doctor.

My wife is struggling on a few counts at the moment, but at least I can help and support her.But I need to get my hearing fully back as she is deaf and we are struggling to communicate well!

Positive

I managed to trim two buddleia trees in our front garden, heaven only knows what the neighbours though of us letting them grow long like that, but we've been so busy.

It's cooler today, we have been really struggling with the heat.

[Guest Shannon]

POSITIVES: No negatives, OCD had a try but I sent it packing! Had a wonderful day at the beach enjoying the sunshine. We set up our shade tent and blanket, had a barbecue and enjoyed the sound of the sea. We even had a paddle while my dog raced like a greyhound up and down the beach. We had a cup of tea whilst watching a kite darting about in the wind. Felt very uplifting and relaxing to be out on the beach. Feeling happy!!!!!!!!!!!!

[taurean]

Hi shannon - remember those scenes. If in the future you are a little down, revisit that happy place on those things happening, it will invigorate you.

Another of my heroes, the so-called "father" of positive thinking, Norman Vincent Peale (who wrote the world bestseller "The Power Of Positive Thinking" called this process "remembered peacefulness" and used it regularly, as do I.

[Guest jayjay89]

Negative, getting sick of icy roads and footpaths, almost got run over by a car in a skid this morning! Get some chains man!

Positive, didn't get run over this morning and also had the opportunity for some shouting (which doesn't happen enough in my world to be fair lol)

[taurean]

Negative, getting sick of icy roads and footpaths, almost got run over by a car in a skid this morning! Get some chains man!

Positive, didn't get run over this morning and also had the opportunity for some shouting (which doesn't happen enough in my world to be fair lol)

When winter gets me down I forward focus, I remind myself that "For everything there is a season" and it will soon enough be spring.

Shouting, expressing some emotion, is a good release - we should all have a good shout from time to time!

[Guest jayjay89]

Thanks Roy, I'm trying to see it that way, I think I am just letting everything get on top of me at the moment.

Positive, got to drive a hummer today... Well I think it was a hummer. Either that or a tank lol.

[taurean]

Negative

I've been to see my doctor who confirmed my hearing difficulties are an ongoing consequence of the virus I had 10 weeks ago, and yes my eustacian tubes in my ears are blocked hence I can't hear much - its like being under water!

He's agreed to refer me to the ear nose and throat (ENT)specialist. I have however run out of private medical insurance becasue I'm retiring.

Positive

I have savings I can use to fund the ENT specialist's fees privately.

[Guest aleuk]

Negative

I've been to see my doctor who confirmed my hearing difficulties are an ongoing consequence of the virus I had 10 weeks ago, and yes my eustacian tubes in my ears are blocked hence I can't hear much - its like being under water!

He's agreed to refer me to the ear nose and throat (ENT)specialist. I have however run out of private medical insurance becasue I'm retiring.

Positive

I have savings I can use to fund the ENT specialist's fees privately.

Sorry to hear this but it's good that you have savings for this.

Negative: Have to go and mow the lawn in the heat and this is likely to set off my OCD.

Positive: I did my OCD compulsions last night and I haven't had any thoughts of doing them so far today. Enjoying relaxing and spending more time on this forum replying to people- rarely get the time! I also went out today to see my gran- it was nice to get out for a bit.

[Guest Shannon]

Thank you Taurean. I really like the idea of 'remembered peacefulness.' I will definitely use this method when I need to calm down!

[taurean]

Negative

I have a sore toe to add to my hearing difficulties!

It manifested itself yesterday evening after a busy day out and about - too late I realised it had been rubbing against the edge of my sandal.

So I've been treating it with antiseptic cream. I often sleep in periods of around 3 hours, so I've kept replenishing the cream and I hope that, along with wearing a shoe with a wide fitting, it will get me through a very special day (it's my honorary retirement celebration lunch today!).

Positive

Really good feedback from Vintagegirl and Miranda on how they've been recovering from their OCD.

When I discovered this forum via the search engines, as most of us probably do, I realised that, coupled with the mother charity OCD-UK, I had discovered a very special resource.

I soon found great help myself and, as that had saved me from the cost of further private therapy, I made a donation towards the running costs of the forums.

I've been able to make another donation recently; this wonderful charity, and these forums which it supports, means an awful lot to me - and my wife, she has seen how it benefits me and others.

I feel privileged to be a member of OCD-UK and to have the opportunity here to share my experiences with a view to helping fellow sufferers.

And feedback of success is also a great thank you to the many others who feel like myself and give of their time freely on the forums in the cause of helping others free themselves of the scourge of OCD.

Edited July 29, 2014 by taurean

[Guest heartplace]

Negative

Depression is eating away at me. I feel hopeless and guilty over things that I don't even know ever happened/I ever did.

Positive

I actually got some creative spark back today and have been writing a poem, using symbolism and imagery to describe what OCD and depression are like together. Maybe I'll post it on here. I don't know though, it's pretty abstract. I think I might be the only person who will understand what message it's conveying, lol.

Edited July 29, 2014 by heartplace

[taurean]

Sorry to hear these difficulties heartplace.

There is plenty of help here about OCD false memory - just put those words into the search field top right and the forum will show you threads containing them.

[Guest jayjay89]

Roy, you gotta take better care of yourself man!

Negative, my mum's been ringing for some reason today, I've been dodging her calls so I'm slightly (very) worried she will show up somewhere. I suppose I should just call her back :/

Positive - had a good chat with my therapist today and changed the plan slightly to help me get over this fear of getting better

Double positive, tomorrow is humpday! It's a downhill from

Lunchtime

[Guest heartplace]

Sorry to hear these difficulties heartplace.

There is plenty of help here about OCD false memory - just put those words into the search field top right and the forum will show you threads containing them.

Yeah I have read about other people having trouble with false memories. Over time I'm able to let my false memories go but sometimes I have the most difficult time with them! OCD is so strange.

Other than OCD causing my depression I'm also just having these unexplainable feelings of hopelessness and sadness, such as thinking that no one will ever understand my problem. I know my situation isn't unique but that feeling of being cut off from everyone else is still there.

Okay, so today's negative:

Social anxiety at work. I feel like I'm about to die every time I talk to a client!

Positive:

Other than the anxiety life is alright today. It felt good to spend my time alone doing my own thing this morning. Talking to my sister makes me feel better too. All in all I feel better today than I did the past few days. Tomorrow could be a different story but I'm just going to try to take things one day at a time. Each day has its own problems.

[taurean]

Fair comment jayjay I'll do that.

Negative

Went through my final team meeting saying nothing; most unusual for me, but then again I couldn't hear anything that was said!!!

Positive

Blew my nose the way doctor showed me anud hey, my right ear squealled and I had me some hearing.

Had a fabulous lunch in wonderful surroundings with my close friends in attendance received some wonderful gifts and made a very funny speech.

Edited July 29, 2014 by taurean

[Guest Sisyphus]

Negatives: worried how much coolant leak in car will cost cos it could be anything from the head gasket to a pipe leak. My OCD diary is DOING MY ######## HEAD IN. I can't just do it naturally - as soon as I know I'm doing it, my mind starts seeking things to obsess about non-stop, and of course focussing on all the worst things that will make me look like some kind of criminal sex deviant. GREAT - REALLY LOOKIN FORWARD TO THERAPY TOMORROW NOW!!! May have to talk through a sock puppet or something to cope with the anxiety. Knee playing up after yoga in garden yesterday, not so sure this yoga lark is good for my knee any more. Seems like nothing is.

Positives: had to walk back 4 miles from mechanics so went through fields/woods which is always nice. Managed to have a fairl OCD-free think along the way. After re-watching I Am Legend last night, found audibook of the "I Am Legend" book on youtube, which I've wanted to read for ages as it's quite different from the film, but I've been struggling too much with reading the last few years and daren't take it on. So listening to that now.

[Phili]

Negative: Nerves still bad and still struggling to get a Doctor

Positive: Found a mod to skip the part of my fav game that I hate^^

[taurean]

Positive

Had an appointment with the ear, nose and throat specialist at our wonderful private hospital (new buildings now opened - it's outstanding).

He used an endoscope to check up inside my nose (all was ok), a machine which checked for fluid at the back of the ear - and as expected found lots - and he also conducted a full hearing check of my capabiilities across various frequencies in both ears (confirmed not much hearing because of the fluid).

He has prescribed a steroid anti-inflammatory drug which hopefully will help the fluid to drain out of the ears. I am to use this in conjunction with a brilliant little device that enables you to blow up a balloon with each nostril! This helps to equalise the pressure in the inner ear .I am sure we will have some fun with that one!.

The brilliant hospital has a pharmacy at outpatients, so I was able to immediately get the steroid tablets and the balloon kit!

I start the treatment tomorrow - the steroid must be taken after breakfast each day.

Negative

My private medical insurance ceased with my employment yesterday, so I am having to use my own savings to fund the treatment.

The tablets carry a warning that at high dose they can affect mental health, causing depression. I will be on a high dose for a week, then half that, then half that again for the 2nd and 3rd weeks.

I can tackle the depression as should be only short-lived - I'll just have to hope it doesn't trigger an OCD problem.

Edited August 2, 2014 by taurean

[Guest jayjay89]

Glad to hear you are getting your ears sorted Roy - as for the depression, when I'm on medication like that I try really hard to have an active plan for the week to keep my spirits up. And avoid the booze. Which is sad, but it's funny how you can be feeling a bit miserable, have 2 beers and completely bomb out.

Negative, there are 6 strangers staying in my house this weekend.

Positive, my jobs going well and I'm not quite so concerned about being fired. Although the GM has started calling me puff the magic dragon. I'm not sure if that means we are buds, or a hint that he wants me to quit smoking.

[taurean]

Glad to hear you are getting your ears sorted Roy - as for the depression, when I'm on medication like that I try really hard to have an active plan for the week to keep my spirits up. And avoid the booze. Which is sad, but it's funny how you can be feeling a bit miserable, have 2 beers and completely bomb out.

Negative, there are 6 strangers staying in my house this weekend.

Positive, my jobs going well and I'm not quite so concerned about being fired. Although the GM has started calling me puff the magic dragon. I'm not sure if that means we are buds, or a hint that he wants me to quit smoking.

Hi jayjay,

Booze is no problem for me - I barely drink (but will have a glass of wine with my wife tomorrow - we are having a meal to celebrate my retirement!).

You are right of course re the depression - keeping busy should be fine over at least the next several weeks, so hopefully I'll be ok.

Re puff the magic dragon - well you do live near the sea I imagine, do you frollic in the Autumn mists and is your town called Honalee? (or whatever it was in the song - used to play it on my guitar years ago).

Seriously, sounds as if the GM likes you!

[Guest heartplace]

I saw an ENT a few months ago and got diagnosed with Tinnitus. He did nothing else really to help me though. His only prescription was to listen to whitenoise on an MP3 player and lipoflavinoid meds. Pfffff. He also wouldn't address my sensitivity to noises like I wanted him to.

Positive: Going to a party tomorrow.

Negative: Not a whole lot...the usual feeling useless thing. Depression makes me feel like I'm of no use for anyone, but to just exist and feel sorry for myself. The feeling comes and goes frequently. It's not overwhelming me or upsetting me significantly right now like it has before which is good.

Edited August 2, 2014 by heartplace

[Guest jayjay89]

Enjoy your meal!!

If you start to feel that sneaky black cloud coming over you, come on here and talk to us. I personally have some funny stories that will cheer you up. Like the time I was a bank manager and locked myself in the safe after hours. Twice. Oh and the time (last week) when I was out with clients for lunch and the police were walking past. And they came up and said 'hi jay, hope your keeping out of trouble'. Very embarrassing.

I do swim at the beach most days! Maybe I am puff the magic dragon. Lol. Let's hope so!

[taurean]

I saw an ENT a few months ago and got diagnosed with Tinnitus. He did nothing else really to help me though. His only prescription was to listen to whitenoise on an MP3 player and lipoflavinoid meds. Pfffff. He also wouldn't address my sensitivity to noises like I wanted him to.

Positive: Going to a party tomorrow.

Negative: Not a whole lot...the usual feeling useless thing. Depression makes me feel like I'm of no use for anyone, but to just exist and feel sorry for myself. The feeling comes and goes frequently. It's not overwhelming me or upsetting me significantly right now like it has before which is good.

Hey heartplace, enjoy the party you deserve it.

Re the depression, you are of use to a lot of people on this forum,. your posts when you come on are constructive and very helpful.

I found that when people are struggling as you are, it can be useful to challenge that feeling of hopelessness by drawing up a list of things that you can do, you are good at, that people appreciate about you; you might well surprise yourself . For example, you are very knowledgable and articulate, and look where possible to help others, even when you are pretty down yourself - that's very commendable.

[Guest jayjay89]

Hey heartplace, try this

http://blogs.psychcentral.com/ride-life/2014/07/5-things-you-can-do-in-the-next-5-minutes-to-be-happier-in-the-next-5-days/

It sounds real cheesey, but I tried it and it worked for me