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.
Does anyone out there doubt that they have OCD? I've never had a formal diagnosis, but I have a master's in counseling psychology and a bachelor's in psychology. I've also researched it extensively... and diagnosed myself, maybe not a good thing :)
I look at everyone's posts and have no doubt that they have OCD- I can easily see that it's an obsession for them. But, when I think about my own obsessions, I doubt that it's actually OCD and think, "What if it's not OCD at all? What if it's real?" I want to just be able to say, "It's my OCD," and move on, but I can't because what if this isn't OCD? I am so limited by my fears and thinking every single thought holds immense meaning!!
I've been thinking about seeking therapy for a couple months now but am hesitant for 2 reasons:
1. I go though good periods where I don't obsess at all and feel really good and think, "I don't need therapy, I can do this on my own." (Until it hits me again full force.)
2. What if I go to therapy and find out that I don't have OCD at all and my obsessions are real and mean something?
Anyone else out there feel this way?? It's so frustrating because as a counselor myself, I KNOW the best thing is to seek help....yet I also think I should be able to handle it myself. And I think that I should be able to just turn it over to God and He can heal me (although I just heard in a sermon Sunday that we can give everything to God- our thoughts, anxieties, fears, etc., but that with clinical depression and other such diseases, we should probably seek medical help.)
I look at everyone's posts and have no doubt that they have OCD- I can easily see that it's an obsession for them. But, when I think about my own obsessions, I doubt that it's actually OCD and think, "What if it's not OCD at all? What if it's real?" I want to just be able to say, "It's my OCD," and move on, but I can't because what if this isn't OCD? I am so limited by my fears and thinking every single thought holds immense meaning!!
I've been thinking about seeking therapy for a couple months now but am hesitant for 2 reasons:
1. I go though good periods where I don't obsess at all and feel really good and think, "I don't need therapy, I can do this on my own." (Until it hits me again full force.)
2. What if I go to therapy and find out that I don't have OCD at all and my obsessions are real and mean something?
Anyone else out there feel this way?? It's so frustrating because as a counselor myself, I KNOW the best thing is to seek help....yet I also think I should be able to handle it myself. And I think that I should be able to just turn it over to God and He can heal me (although I just heard in a sermon Sunday that we can give everything to God- our thoughts, anxieties, fears, etc., but that with clinical depression and other such diseases, we should probably seek medical help.)
I'm thankful for what you said Dimples about how it is comforting knowing that the Lord knows our minds and isn't going to try and communicate with us in ways we'd be uncertain about, that He is very clear and deliberate. One of my friends just told me too that God is the best communicator...if we have to wonder if it's Him speaking, then it isn't. We won't ever wonder, we'll know because He knows how to communicate with us.
Yes, anxiety causes so much confusion! All those "what-if" thoughts that loop endlessly as I ruminate over and over and over....not fun!
I just started reading "When in Doubt, Make Belief" by Jeff Bell. He mentions asking 5 questions whenever we feel anxiety/fear and have a doubting thought:
1. Does this doubt evoke far more anxiety than either curiosity or prudent caution?
2. Does this doubt pose a series of increasingly distressing "what if" questions?
3. Does this doubt stem from logic-defying and/or black-white assumptions?
4. Does this doubt prompt a strong urge to act--or avoid acting--in a fashion others might perceive as excessive, in order to reduce the anxiety it creates?
5. Would you be embarrassed or frightened to explain your "what-if" questions to a police officer or work supervisor?
*If we answer yes, then we are responding to our fear-based doubt...it's just anxiety/OCD.
*He does say that when we are in the midst of anxiety/fear/OCD that these questions don't help...
Anyway, this post got kinda long...I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this book and applying its principles! And I'm still looking into calling a therapist....found one on IOCDF website. I'll keep you posted!
It's the doubting disease.
I called my doctor...she prescribed Lorazapam to tide me over until I start seeing a therapist.
My intake is scheduled for next week Thursday!
Excited to get a grip on this.