OCD - Need advice!!!?!
Question: OK basically i've realised I have OCD. I think its pretty severe, where I have to stick to a routine, and get upset if I can't. Im also very superstitious, I touch wood when i think of things continuously and I sometimes think i've jinxed things. I think that if i think of something, it may come true, and if i plan to do something, it's always the opposite or something different that happens. Any advice?
thank you
Answers: OK basically i've realised I have OCD. I think its pretty severe, where I have to stick to a routine, and get upset if I can't. Im also very superstitious, I touch wood when i think of things continuously and I sometimes think i've jinxed things. I think that if i think of something, it may come true, and if i plan to do something, it's always the opposite or something different that happens. Any advice?
thank you
I have been diagnosed with moderate OCD. I have to have EVERYTHING in a certain place, I get frustrated and freaked out when I deviate from a schedule, everything has to be planned in advance, I dont like to do things spur of the moment. One thing I have realized is that there are some things in life you just can't change or help. When I start feeling helpless I have to stop for a minute, take a few deep breaths and just tell myself that when something is out of order that it will be ok. I take small steps to get things back in order and just concentrate on the task at hand and not on the mess around me. We just have to realize that we control our lives but there are some things beyond our control...we need to have control of what we can and let go of the things we cant control or change. As far as superstitions, they are fine as long as you dont let them affect your daily life. If you want to get out of being superstitious the only advice I have is to notice when you are doing things out of habit and try to break the habit...it wont make you think about the superstition any less really but you can break the cycle of being physically superstitious(touching wood, etc) and eventually realize it is just a habit and a state of mind. We can always control that if we try. Good luck with this...it is a hard thing to deal with but if you make a concious effort to not let it control your entire life then it gets much better!
Realize that you create your own reality. You can make up your own superstitions, you just have to believe them. (I can totally do everything to sabotage something, but as long as I cross my fingers and give the rasperry afterwards, it'll work).
superstition is simple ritual, and where it stems from. Anything can be a ritual: When you wipe your butt, imagine it's wiping all your problems and jinxes away and..down the toilet! As long as you put some focus on it, it'll work.
Honestly, it sounds like you are going thru an adolescent stage. Hang in there. Have some hobbies and friends that you can share with. Things will get better.
Guilt and OCD, seem to go together,..however, the OCD, is stemming from lack of serotonin in your brain...ask your doctor about Luvox,a great medication to help with the symptoms of ocd....it is really a chemical imbalance, not a mental illness....the obsessive thoughts are a result of the ocd, but the meds can help you immensly good luck
I am also obsessive compulsive... I have issues with cleaning/ washing , ordering/ arranging , hoarding/ collecting, counting, and obsessive thoughts. It's very hard to live with! I've struggled with it all my life. The only advice I have is to definitely see a doctor, medication is helpful and also therapy to help you stop the routines. Just know you're not alone! There are many of us out there that struggle daily to do simple tasks. Usually there are support groups you can join to help you! Good luck
There is medication available to help and the ood news is that for many people the symptoms get less severe as they get older but you should still be evaluated bya professional and there are things that even a therapist can work with you on.