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.

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frusciante 11/04/2011

So I've had this issue for as long as I can remember. I only recently realized it IS an issue.
I'm new to this group, I was diagnosed w/ OCD about 7 years ago, but I know I have had it way longer. I am constantly seeking perfectionism and good luck with EVERYTHING. My body must be thoroughly clean at all times (this occurs when I'm really stressed out)... I'll brush my teeth until my gums bleed, shower 3 times a day..etc etc. On top of that, constantly do rituals (locks, lightswitches, flipping luckys in my cigarette pack).
But this "most recent" issue seems to be nose picking.. I know, not lovely at all. But I get seriously irritated if i have any form of ANYTHING in my nose, so I keep picking it until its raw or, as my head is saying "pristine" except not really cuz I end up with nosebleeds. ANyone have a suggestions on how I can stop this? I have tried desensitizing myself like I did with the other things, but maybe I need to work harder at it. It's just really driving me crazy I haven't had any real ritual problems for a while so it's almost like starting all over again for me. It's so frustrating...just when you think you got it...something else comes up :/

deleted_user 11/04/2011

I have sort of done this before, but not to that extreme. I am not sure what to tell you, but I just wanted to say you are not alone in that. :)

frusciante 11/04/2011

Thank you. It was hard to even bring it up lol Now I don't feel like such an alien :D

charliegirl29 11/04/2011

my therapist gave me pages to color. she told me any time i have impulses to go color the pages and they were opticle designs so it took some time complete it.

JustBreathe3 11/05/2011

I agree with Charlie! One thing that is easier said than done but has proven to me to be effective is to keep your hands busy until the anxiety of the situation passes. I have had to do this for years and let me tell you it is not easy as I'm sure you're aware of. However think of it as little steps, when you feel the urge to pick try not to for a little while and try and increase that time everytime you face that problem. Hopefully with time it will become less. I wish you the best of luck, we all feel your pain!

frusciante 11/06/2011

thank you all! :)

miller23 11/06/2011

see the more you leave the urge impulse or thought alone the less power it has over your life. at first it wil create an anxiety spike but wen you stop engaging with it you wil have less of an urge to do it and be in more control x

deleted_user 11/06/2011

JustBreathe3 had a great idea and so did other responders. I have had this similar ritual that I mostly overcame by using what JustBreathe3 had stated. Eventually I was able to overcome most of the ritual but still have problems when I am under stress.

deleted_user 11/10/2011

What kind of medications are you on?

deleted_user 11/10/2011

i can understand the grossness... i dont have a nose picking problem, but i have to spit and swallow certain ways. it is certanly annoying, and i sometimes get a raw mouth from "sucking the bad away" (spit) from my mouth.

its hard to not do. sometimes it doesnt bother me, and other times it does.

:/

hope everything gets better. hang in there. we all know how you feel.

deleted_user 11/14/2011

I had the same issues, picked until my nose bled as well. I got over it even before I was on Zoloft or knew I had OCD. I just stopped it a little at a time. I'd pick until there was only a tiny bit left. Gradually I left more and more in there until I only cared slightly. I still care about stuff in my nose but I can wait to pick and only do a bit to relieve breathing issues and nothing more.

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