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.
Last night i left my 3 1/2 year old daughter alone in her room, because she wanted to change herself into her pjs...and she closed teh door because she needed "privacy"...well later, when we were in bed reading- I thought, oh no, what if the window was open in there! My husband had opened the windows in our bedroom...I thought- don't check, that is just giving into the ocd- but i checked anyway and sure enough, it was open! I had nightmares about losing my daughter all night- thinking about, what if she had climbed up and fallen out the window- pictured the whole scenario, I feel angry with my husband, out of control, and guilty. The thing is- she is not a climber and would literally have to want to climb out to get out the window, and there is really nothing in her room she could have climbed up on. SHe would have had to jump or fly! But yet I am still torturing myself. My OCD and worry has been under control lately until I had new responsibilities (which are good) come up at work- I wonder if there is a connection?
i agonise about things like this all the time and the advice that my friends and family always give me is 'nothing happened, its ok and worrying about it wont solve anything it will just stress you out' its easy for people to say but i know its sometimes hard advice for us to take, us ocders worry about these things so much because we care so much about the people we love. maybe to take back control of the situation and feel less panicky have a talk to your husband about how you are feeling, also i think its ok for you to check the window is closed if you are worried about it, if you started doing it over and over again i think it would be a worry but if you check each night before your daughter goes to bed im sure that is ok, for safety and your piece of mind. also do you see a psychologist at all? i think these people are so great to keep in touch with, they can give you fresh perspectives on situations and offer great advice and coping techniques, i often talk to mine about every day things not just OCD related things. also do you know of the book "stop obsessing" ? its really helpful,and for example it might be comforting to read at night if you are worrying and cant sleep it contains cognitive behavioural therapy techniques which is what really helps me with my OCD.
it sounds like the new responsibilities at work may be causing stress which might affect your OCD so its good to just acknowledge thats what is going on and maybe try some relaxation and nice distractions like going for a walk, watching something funny, playing with your daughter, going out for coffee etc. haha it sounds horrible but i find black humour can really help when im stressed and worried :)
take care, and be kind to yourself, i hope something here helps!
you are not alone
love dinah xx
You take care!