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 picked up a book called "how to overcome obsessive thoughts" @ Borders about 2 months ago. I know I have a bad case of OCD because I get stuck on thoughts. The book is amazingly helpful because it is similar to what CBT therapists do. It taught me the importance of thoughts. basically if you have a thought that is out of character and you know the content of it doesn't say anything about your personality then it isn't you. However, lately I've had this fear of being around kids. I fear that somehow I might be aroused by them and it freaks me out!! ALOT. I keep thinking I might be/become a pedophile. But, I've never seen kids that way. EVER. I just want this to go away. I'm afraid of my future. What if I can't be a normal person? What if I act out and hurt someone? I won't though cause I'm not a violent person. I just want this to go away.
When we do get hit, as you have Jeff, we have to go back to square one with the determination we have always used to begin the battle again. Each time we suffer a time period when our symptoms return they can often feel much more intense than how we remember them. Often we get nailed with new intrusive thoughts that just nail us to the floor.
Remember all the options you have used in the past and use them again. If they worked once they will work again, but it may be a little bit more difficult and take a little bit longer to battle them under control.
Just remember that you can do it, even if it is going to be a challenge.