What Should I Do About My OCD??!
Question: I am a teenager who has been struggling with, presumably, OCD. I recently stopped checking my alarm clock 12 times (a few while blinking) by eliminating the problem. Yet, now it has seemed to come back full throttle. I rewrite and rewrite papers and assignments. I feel they are never good enough. When things are perfect, i feel the compulsion to redo them. This has been severely affecting my lifestyle, but what can I do to stop it? Does it seem to be true that I have OCD? Should I make an appointment with a physician?
Answers: I am a teenager who has been struggling with, presumably, OCD. I recently stopped checking my alarm clock 12 times (a few while blinking) by eliminating the problem. Yet, now it has seemed to come back full throttle. I rewrite and rewrite papers and assignments. I feel they are never good enough. When things are perfect, i feel the compulsion to redo them. This has been severely affecting my lifestyle, but what can I do to stop it? Does it seem to be true that I have OCD? Should I make an appointment with a physician?
I would definitely talk to a doctor about this and they can help you decide if you are just overdoing things or if it would benefit you go talk to a psychiatrist or therapist.
People with OCD benefit greatly from cognitive behavioral therapy and sometimes are prescribed medicine (such as an ssri like Luvox). The main thing is to not beat yourself up about going for help, it may be tough initially but you will feel so much better!
There are meds and behavior modification programs to help you.
I say start with your physician.
Good luck, being a teenager is hard enough without the added burden of feeling like you need to be perfect.
you already have the answer... you need to follow thru...seek therapy.... you must be exhausting yourself..
Jamie...I sympathize with you. I myself suffered from OCD while growing up. It is VERY HARD but I did not let it run my life. I was able to function quite well without people around me noticing.
The two previous advice are very sound. Behavior modification should be used first. If this does not resolve SSRI will probably control some of your symptoms. I did not take SSRI because of the side effects. Behavior modification worked for me. I also discovered that....as you grow old, the OCD improved. The first thing you do is seek a psychiatrist or psychologist that specializes in this condition. If you went to a shrink and the first thing they advised you is to take the medication...you should probably need to get a second opinion. GOOD LUCK and hope you get over it. DON'T LET IT RUN YOUR LIFE! You are still young....As I say....nip it in the bud!