And I can never figure out what sets it off! It never makes sense. I am "OK" then all of a sudden my brain goes into overdrive and I am short-cicuited into HELL.

Trying CBT, Luvox, therapy ... I can't find anything to really help ... yet.

(I hope)

I take clomipramine. I agree with your comments 100 percent. Keep working on your treatment though. :)

That's how ocd works. You're right. We have to make the "BAM" better. The only thing that works for me is that I accept the feeling as a part of the ocd symptom. Not the real me. I try to stand away and look at the ocd separately so that it doesn't hit the real me so hard.
Acceptance stays number 1 for me. J

Good point gJerry!! thanks :)

I've never been on meds or in therapy. But for the past couple months I've learned to cope and accept I will die with ocd someday. That's what helps me. I don't think there is a cure for ocd. Your thoughts can always remember the messed up crap that's been in there. When I keep busy with hobbies I can go hours and live normal. But it's always back to the crap. I don't know what it's like for other people.

Today I woke up saying. F this. That hasn't happened in a while but today I was tired of it. Slowly during the day I'm feeling better. I know the deal. It is what it is. Cope cope cope.

I'll never be depressed. I won't let it happen. I have kids, a job, wife, and hobbies. I refuse to be sad. Even through this I can still manage to keep ok. I can choose to be happy. It's only when you believe the thoughts that it gets you down.

How long can you guys go with a clear mind before you are reminded? How long with meds? How long without?

I have been on meds for over 20 years. Some days are just better than others. I understand that I have this disorder and I learn to live with it. Some days there is significant time between obsessive thoughts other days it can be a little relentless. I just do the best that I can. Hope that helps Jabru. :)

Seems like we are in the same boat. Sometimes it's unbelievable that this can even occur. We know our thoughts aren't real but our reaction is different from that. I don't know how to deal with this everyday. Living with your triggers. How do I do this? How can I feel comfortable with the same stuff that my brain attacks?

I went through several years of therapy and did alot of work to get to a more comfortable frame of mind. But there is no easy path. Different treatments are needed for different people. I have several defense mechanisms to help me that I learned through therapy. But there is not easy answer. Medicine, therapy, and committment to treatment were most successful for me.

Everyone here, in this particular thread, seems to be well educated on a personal level in the area of OCD. I'm so glad to see that I'm not alone.

I have been ESPECIALLY struggling lately. I'm completely exhausted from stress. I feel almost physically sick. My wife may lose her job, and I'm having a difficult time dealing with mine to due OCD related issues.

We just need a break, and prayer.

Thanks and I wish you all well.

I wish you all the best. God be with you all. It's a fight, and it really is. I envy your outlook Jabnu.

God Bless Jabnu!!

Mine gets worse if I seem to have too much energy (I have chronic fatigue syndrome). I seem to have an excess of nervous energy at times that I believe is physical. I probably should be doing yoga or something.

Also adrenaline from low blood sugar makes it worse.

Hope you feel better soon!

I am on this site for my momma. She was diagnosed years ago to have Alzheimer's and I have always questioned it in my mind. Not to sound mean but she has always done peculiar things. It has been almost 3 weeks since I started taking care of her so I see her daily. I do not see much memory loss but more anxiety and anxiousness. Shower after shower after shower. Her anxiousness makes her put her clothes back on all upside down and inside out. She wears diapers only for urine leakage and she will get them back on inside out and have a mess by morning. I was with her all day today and she had one "good" shower and the rest of the day she was calm and watching TV. I say good because when I help her she actually gets clean. One night after she had a good shower she came to me a little while later and asked if she could take another shower.
I love my momma and want to help her the best I can.
Dr. appointment soon so I will be asking for some possible medications or something.
She is 79 years old in case you are wondering. One day she said to me "i feel like I need to get out of the house some times because I feel like I am going crazy". That is an unsettled feeling.

Allen,

I have been experiencing a massive setback as well lately. I understand what you mean when you mention the "BAM" effect. It's not encouraging. I have felt this "BAM" many times in my 17 years of having OCD. Work with your physicians and your coping techniques. Without saying, we are all here for you as well.

Thank you :)