Liverpool OCD Support Group Discussion

[catherine]

Yes Talk Liverpool still taking referrals and offering phone, on line and Skype support.

https://www.talkliverpool.nhs.uk

[Hippo]

Hi Shaun, not ignoring you  good for you getting your name down. At least you can decide what you want to do then when your turn comes round. 

[Anaocd]

For me just an increase in my checking, feel like more responsibility as we both have laptops computers in the house working from hone so making sure we are locked up etc and just a Generalised increase in anxiety overall  

[Ashley]

2 minutes ago, Hippo said:

My plan is stubbornness I think! Ocd is not taking back the peace of mind I’ve fought for. I know how effective the tools are and I try always to use them on every little thing which mostly keeps the big stuff away (for me) and the stuff that does then affect me isn’t as bad if you follow me - the peaks are lower than ever before. 

Stubbornness against the OCD is a great tool to have in the locker at any time Hippos, even more so now  

[shaun flanagan]

Thanks Cath.

Dave, oh yeah I’m still going to get my shopping but once I’m done I head straight back home. Although I have gone on a few walks too and there’s hardly anyone around. But i do give every item I shop a quick wipe with a soapy disinfected sponge or a spray of anti bac, but only foe a few seconds as I don’t want it to become an OCD style ritual and i’m succeeding quite well with it. 

[Dave Williams]

Stubbornness sounds like a good characteristic to have. Feels like a good plan and a solid foundation

 

 

[Hippo]

Hi Anaocd 

[shaun flanagan]

Hi Hippo that’s okay and glad to hear that you’re keeping on top of things.

[Dave Williams]

Shaun - I do the same. It's the advice we've been given. Good that your ocd isn't shifting towards this and that you're aware of it

[catherine]

I think it’s really difficult not to be excessively cautious about cleaning at the moment as we’re all being encouraged to do so!

[Dave Williams]

Any thoughts on Ashley' quote "The best form of defence is attack" - The late great Brian Clough. The perfect analogy for OCD, you can only beat it by attacking it.

 

 

[shaun flanagan]

I was saying only this to mate a few weeks ago - before lockdown - that they’re now practically encouraging people to use ocd type rituals!  He asked me if I felt vindicated! I said no because it’s not really something to gloat over. 

[Ashley]

6 minutes ago, shaun flanagan said:

But i do give every item I shop a quick wipe with a soapy disinfected sponge or a spray of anti bac, but only foe a few seconds as I don’t want it to become an OCD style ritual and i’m succeeding quite well with it. 

I think this is important to not let the OCD get hold.

I am not sure what the government advice is at the moment about washing groceries, I think other than for those at risk I have not seen anything.   I do wash my hands for 20 seconds when I come in from the supermarket, then put my groceries away and then I might wash my hands for another 20 seconds but I don't always do that.  

From an OCD perspective the best advice we can offer right now is try (where possible) do what is recommended and nothing more. But if we do slip and do that extra clean/wash it's important to not feel guilty and if we can try and not do it next time

 

[Hippo]

Sorry everyone, I’ve got to go. Hang in there, we can beat this. Actually, participating on here has been another breakthrough for me. I hope to see you all soon, Ros 

[Ashley]

1 minute ago, shaun flanagan said:

He asked me if I felt vindicated! I said no because it’s not really something to gloat over. 

That sort of is the theme for an article published yesterday where some guy says we should all be a bit OCD.  When actually, the odd hand wash is nothing compared to the daily rituals and thought bombardment we endure with OCD.

[catherine]

I agree Shaun and there’s a whole world of difference between people who are doing their cleaning now and those of us who experience excruciating anxiety in normal times if we don’t clean

[Ashley]

Just now, Hippo said:

Sorry everyone, I’ve got to go. Hang in there, we can beat this. Actually, participating on here has been another breakthrough for me. I hope to see you all soon, Ros 

Take care Hippo

[Dave Williams]

Take care Hippo - see you soon

[catherine]

Bye bye Rod, you take good care

[catherine]

Oops, meant Ros ( not Rod!)

[shaun flanagan]

Ashley you’re spot on there. It is important to try to keep this virus issue and your ocd as separate as possible. I also wonder how many people will start developing actual and severe OCD as a result of this.

[Dave Williams]

Would be a good article for the papers for when the population gets back to 'normal'. Some people don't have that luxury

[shaun flanagan]

Indeed they don’t Dave. 

[Ashley]

3 minutes ago, shaun flanagan said:

Ashley you’re spot on there. It is important to try to keep this virus issue and your ocd as separate as possible. I also wonder how many people will start developing actual and severe OCD as a result of this.

So far we don't think many will develop OCD (without prior symptoms), but we will and are seeing people slipping badly from those with existing OCD.  That suggests some with unrecognised OCD (mild traits) at this stage may start to develop more obvious OCD soon.

What we do suspect is that for many frontline NHS staff we will see a rise in general anxiety, PTSD, depression because of the things they are facing. So certainly charities like our friends at Anxiety UK will see service levels rise in the months ahead.

[catherine]

2 minutes ago, shaun flanagan said:

Ashley you’re spot on there. It is important to try to keep this virus issue and your ocd as separate as possible. I also wonder how many people will start developing actual and severe OCD as a result of this.

I thought that and then I wondered if we would just have a lot of people claiming to know what it’s like to have OCD