Baby steps - but will I get there in time?

[Chelsie]

Going on a holiday with my parents, sister and her family etc on Friday.  Really need to get away and to be with people as a distraction from OCD so looking forward to it (although holidays do often set my OCD off, so slightly anxious). 

However, finding getting ready to go an enormous challenge. Especially laundry, which really gives me contamination OCD problems. Taking it one step at a time today - alternating doing a job with sitting down and doing some relaxation exercises. Second lot of washing of the day is currently spinning out. Problem is, i need to get a wriggle on or I'll never be ready in time!  

[BelAnna]

Well done for pushing through the OCD! Hopefully this holiday can be different as you are already starting off by facing your OCD head on! 

Distract yourself from the OCD as much as you can on holiday. 

Hope you have a fab time!

Edited August 16, 2017 by BelAnna

[Chelsie]

Thanks BelAnna,

had the best/worst situation for my OCD yesterday - water was suddenly turned off in my street from lunchtime till about 3 am. We were all given a 2 litre bottle of water - certainly reduced my hand washing for the afternoon/evening. Also meant I could not get on with any laundry - think I'll be taking fewer clothes away with me than I planned.  Wish I could fast forward 24 hours and be on my way now! 

Please excuse quote below - did it by accident and can't delete! 

On 14/08/2017 at 23:56, BelAnna said:

 

 

Hi Em and Skullpops,

I'm really sorry to hear about your acute ward experiences- acute wards sound like quite stressful places!

 Yes to some extent my treatment stay was helpful although the CBT I had there wasn't as effective as some other CBT I've had in the past and since.

I really liked being around other patients/housemates with OCD, going on trips out to places nearby as part of therapy and the Occupational Therapists there were great.

Normally in order to have specialist in-patient treatment specifically for OCD you have to be referred by a Psychologist or Psychiatrist to either the ADRU at Bethlem or the OCD ward at Springfield Hospital, to have tried two different SSRIs; to have had two or more courses of CBT treatment and have severe OCD (measured using YBOCs I think). My referral was a bit different because I was initially referred by my Psychologist to another specialist centre, who secured funding for me even though I didn't meet the above criteria (re. medication).