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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Katie12345 07/10/2008

Hello everyone.

I was wondering if there is anybody on here with severe OCD? Also, is there anyone on here with treatment-refractory OCD? I have had OCD for many years and tried pretty much every type of therapy there is. If there is anyone like me on here who has tried it all and is still completely miserable how do you handle it knowing that there is really not much hope in ever getting better?

deleted_user 07/10/2008

I think OCD has affected my life daily in many situations. It is something I have to accept that I have. But is it not easy to do. It is like someone who has Diabetes or Parkinson's. They have it and it will not go away. It is like that with ocd. However, I know personally, ocd is tourturing at times. It can be depressing. Just keep writing here and staying in contact with people who can support you.

deleted_user 07/10/2008

Yes, I know how you feel, believe me. I have severe OCD & it seems like I have tried everything & nothing is making it go away. I know how awful it can be. I just realize that this is part of who I am & i try & learn as much as I can about it & keep myself up to date on new treatments & books, I involve myself in support groups to talk with others who have the same problems as me, & luckily I have a wonderful husband & we are each other's support partners, I have OCD & he has Antisocial Personality Disorder & we don't judge each other but try & learn as much as we can & be there for each other no matter what. It gets hard sometimes, especially when I start really getting into believing my obsessions are real. I try & keep myself busy too so I don't go off into la la land too much. Medicines help but they are not miracle drugs. I am so sorry you are going through this, believe me, I know how horrible & alone you feel but you're not alone. There are plenty of others out there with this, they just don't like to talk about it. Not everyone with OCD is obvious like the media tries to portray it (Monk for instance) I have heard Brain lock by Jeffery Schwartz is good, I haven't read it yet. i just got done with the Imp of the Mind by Lee Baer & it was extremely helpful with my pure-o OCD, it really goes more into the bad thoughts topic more than other OCD books.

Katie12345 07/10/2008

Another thing that is bothering me is all these people out there (I am not saying it is anyone on here) who say that they have OCD so bad when in reality they do not. There is a big difference between a person who has OCD and a person who has severe OCD.

deleted_user 07/10/2008

Yeah, some people do that. As for me, I do have severe OCD & was diagnosed at 15 when I had to hospitalized for Anorexia, I almost died but I recovered from eating disorder. They never fixed my OCD. I know what you are talking about though, some people almost make their mental illness sound cool like it's some kind of fad & that really pisses me off because there definitely isn't anything great about having this. It has been pure utter hell at times. Especially when I start having harm thoughts about my hubby & kids that I love more than anything. It really bothers me sometimes but I'm trying now to have a more positive outlook since i realized it's now part of me. Katie, if you ever need to talk please feel free to shoot me a message. I have been through pretty much every type of OCD except hoarding. My OCD always seems to evolve into whatever will scare the me the most at the time.

deleted_user 07/10/2008

i suffer from severe ocd even with meds and therapy i still have problems im here for you katie if you want to talk please let me know god bless

deleted_user 07/10/2008

It is difficult to try and accept it sometimes bc of the thoughts in my head, ya know? It is like, when will they stop. I had anorexia when I was younger too. I had ocd when I was younger and now it is back strong as ever. I think the ocd has been with me though, just in diff forms. Once I got over the ocd when I was younger, then the eating disorder, and I was always one to ocd about getting good grades, and now I am ocding about a lot of stuff. A lot has to do with things to break me and my bf up. I get thoughts that would cause us to break up. I am here if you need support.

deleted_user 07/10/2008

HI- I BELONG TO A 12 STEP SUPPORT GROUP FOR OCD AND IT HAS SAVED MY LIFE. I HAVE MET WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND WE HAVE FORMED A CLOSE- KNIT FAMILY.
WE HAVE LEARNED THE 12 STEPS OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND IT IS FINALLY SINKING IN.WE ARE LEARNING DIFFERENT WAYS OF HANDLING OUR OCD-REFOCUSING, INSTEAD OF PLAYING THE SAME TAPES OVER AND OVER AGAIN WE ARE CREATING NEW TAPES IN OUR BRAINS SO WE CAN SWITCH TO THOSE. WE ARE ALL COMMITTED TO BEING POSITIVE-NOT ALLOWING THE NEGATIVE TO GET INSIDE YOUR HEAD.WE HAVE A PHONE LIST AND WE CALL EACH OTHER FOR SUPPORT WHENEVER WE NEED TO.YOU CANNOT DO IT ALONE. TRY IT.

deleted_user 07/13/2008

My OCD started when I was about 10 or 11 and gradually got worse. Think it reached its worse when I was about 14. I could hardly leave the house, as it would take me hours and hours of washing my hands til they were bleeding and sore, and endless rituals. I was always late for school, or sometimes not go at all, which got me into loads of trouble and got bullied.

It affected my whole life and sent me into a deep depression. It really was a genuine severe OCD, but I have mostly recoverd. I do think it is possible for some people. I can go out now, can work full time, have a long term relationship, family life rebuilt etc, which were things i never felt was possible. I only have OCD mild now, just checking doors and windows are locked.

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