Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
I've been attempting on my own to do sort of Exposure and Response Prevention therapy with myself. My obsessions revolve around fears of becoming infected with a parasite (either through meat or by eating an infected flea - I found out tapeworms are transmitted this way a few years ago, and it's been my obsession ever since).
Anyway, I will sometimes be eating something and think I see a flea in it. Now if I obey the OCD, I usually throw out the food, disinfect the bowl, etc. but I've been trying not tondo those compulsions.
I can avoid the compulsions, but am having an incredibly hard time dealing with the anxiety afterwards. A little fly landed on my dinner plate last night, but I continued eating (even though I wanted to throw it out), but now I'm doubting myself and worrying the bug was actually a flea and I ate it and am going to get tapeworm. I've felt incredibly anxious all day and haven't been able to focus on anything (I'm a college student with finals next week, so this is not good). The obsessive thoughts will not leave my head, and all of this is just making me depressed.
Does anyone have advice on how to cope with this anxiety? I feel so alone in this and really wish I could get rid of my OCD forever. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Anyway, I will sometimes be eating something and think I see a flea in it. Now if I obey the OCD, I usually throw out the food, disinfect the bowl, etc. but I've been trying not tondo those compulsions.
I can avoid the compulsions, but am having an incredibly hard time dealing with the anxiety afterwards. A little fly landed on my dinner plate last night, but I continued eating (even though I wanted to throw it out), but now I'm doubting myself and worrying the bug was actually a flea and I ate it and am going to get tapeworm. I've felt incredibly anxious all day and haven't been able to focus on anything (I'm a college student with finals next week, so this is not good). The obsessive thoughts will not leave my head, and all of this is just making me depressed.
Does anyone have advice on how to cope with this anxiety? I feel so alone in this and really wish I could get rid of my OCD forever. Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Maybe once finals get started and you need to study it will smother out the obsessive thoughts. Usually thats what happens with me at least, the real "danger" ends up wiping out the OCD one.
I hope that was helpful in some way, Just know you aren't a lone, everyone on this board knows exactly how you feel and is cheering for you. I think you're doing the right thing by doing the exposures, it will be hard and it won't be fun but it will pay off. I did that too and it took a while but it seemed to work out in the long run.