Should I seek behavioral therapy for my OCD?!
Question: Should I seek behavioral therapy for my OCD?
It's getting really tiring for me. I really can't control it...I started taking Lexapro for it for about 2 yrs but it helped at first but now it barely does! It only helps my attitude. I used to have bad anger issues. I will tell you my symptoms, which isn't easy for me. I find them to be embarrassing.
I have to flip the light switch 5 times, twice. If I am on the computer or my phone I always have to scroll up and down on the page so many times until it feels right. I have to wash my hands 29 times, 3 times each. Sometimes when I change my clothes, I have to go in and out of them until it feels right. When I drink something, I sometimes have to take as many sips until it feels right. When I go to the bathroom, I have to wipe either 10 times, 20 or 29 times. When I shave my underarms I sometimes have to shave 10 times on each armpit. I spit constantly, I always think I have a piece of hair in my mouth and if I swallow it I think I will choke. After I brush my teeth, I have to rinse my mouth 10 times. I have many other symptoms, but I really dont feel like typing more. But if I dont these things, I get so anxious. And I just feel so uncomfortable and in my mind, its telling me "Do it again, if not your heart will stop" or something bad will happen that I dont wanna say...
I hate this, I dont need this anxiety. Can anyone help??
Answers:
Those symptoms describe mine EXACTLY. I have read about other peoples OCD and none of them are as similar to mine as yours. I have been taking a medication called Citalophram (Different people require different medication) that was prescribed by my doctor. It helped greatly, but I was told it would only cover up my symptoms until I could get the problem straightened out by going for therapy.
After a while, one pill wasn't doing it anymore. So they bumped my medication, and it worked again. But I would say definitely get some help. Cases like this are just too much for one person to overcome. And of course, you do not want to take the medication all of your life. The best of luck to you.
Personal experience
Yes, of course. CBT is the treatment of choice for OCD. It will help you confront your unrealistic fears and allow you to deal with them. You should also revisit your drug regimen and discuss options with your doctor. You need to do something, right? You cannot go on like this.
first off your not alone! i to suffer from OCD since as young as i can remember i am now 26 .
the funny thing is my OCD has changed over the years i used to have to do certain things like turn to the light switch on dozens of times and a whole lot of other things like that , alot like you and i know it makes you tired especially because it was all day every day.
through the years as i got older the whole compulsive side of things (turning switches on ect) went away and the obsessive side took over like obsessive thoughts that i had to replay over and over in my head to let me know that what i was thinking wasnt true. This is where i became to learn more about OCD. The mind is so powerful it can really tell us anything to think this to do that or this will happen or wont happen and in time you learn to fight this powerful mind game of OCD.
the next time you go to do any of these things you have to and you must be strong to fight OCD , you need to stop yourself and tell yourself i dont need to do this and nothing will happen its all part of OCD and its not part of me.... it takes alot of time and you wont win all the time but you must try and the more you tell yourself this and fight it , it will get easier in time , i have been where you are and i do indeed know how you feel but this is the only way i have gotten to where i am today , i still have a bad day with OCD but nothing like i used to be and it takes alot of practise and fighting but you CAN DO THIS ... I DID