Any OCD sufferers about?

[Purlesque]

My obsessions/fears are bringing harm to/ poisoning my children (with chemicals and food).
Driving obsession, fear of causing accidents.
Fear of losing my children.

Constantly going over things in my head with no resolution, seeking reassurance. When I do work something out in my head, another worry comes along, like there is queue forming.

I've been fine for ages, my grandad died recently and I think this is a delayed reaction.

[wontletmesignin]

I am sorry to hear of your loss! ((Hugs)).
This has more than likely caused your OCD to flare up.

When you next find your thoughts.taking up a lot of your time in your head.
Try and take some deep breaths. In through the nose to the count.of 5. Hold for 5 and then exhale through the mouth to the count of 5.

Keep doing this, and focus on your breathing and counting.
Do this until you feel relaxed.

I would also suggest speaking to your GP. Perhaps a little CBT would be of help to you.

I understand how hard this form of OCD is and i hope you can get your mind at rest as soon as

[Purlesque]

Thanks for replying
I was on a waiting for CBT for a year, then I had a baby when my turn came but because I was exclusively breastfeeding constantly I wasn't in a position to attend appointments, also no family and friends to babysit.
I can self refer but appointments are Thursday mornings and I don't have childcare.
I have seen a therapist that I paid for so when I get some money I will see him.
I don't go to my GP for these things, I just get anti d's shoved in my face which in the past have made me worse.

I'm knitting which helps but I have a particular incident going over in my head and been feeling panicky for 24 hrs now.

[BadgerBumBag]

I watched bedlam yesterday and was struck by how similar I was in my teens. Have you seen the anxiety episode?

[wontletmesignin]

Ok so you can see that this particilar problem is irrational. Or at least you can see it seems fairly evident that it is your OCD.

Instead of engaging in your thoughts, just watch them.
Allow them to come, but also allow them to go.
Dont analyze the thoughts that come.
Watch them as if it were a leaf floating down a stream.
Its there, you can see it. But it is just a leaf, a leaf that will float on by in a couple of seconds.
However, if you were to try and get hold of that leaf. It would become a difficult situation. A one which required a lot of tjme and energy.
When in reality, it is just a leaf. Would you really put yourself out to save it?

Try and imagine your thoughts as this leaf.

[Purlesque]

Badger no I haven't, might try and watch it, what's it on?

The leaf analogy is a good one.

My fear is based on my son being put at risk, I forgot to move a box of things (which could have been dangerous)
He didn't go in the box and was left with the box for 30-60 seconds. I know in my mind he didn't touch anything but because of the danger I'm thinking of the what ifs and doubting my judgment.
Then I'm feeling bad for forgetting to move the box. I feel like a bad mum.

When it involves my son I can't control the going over things, even when on this occasion I know he was fine.

[BadgerBumBag]

I think it was on 4od. They are themed and the anxiety one was very good focusing on 2 people with varying levels of OCD, anxiety and intrusive thoughts

[stargirl1701]

Have a look on You Tube for ACT therapy.

[Johnniewalkerblue]

Hi, I've been reading through the threads on here for a while but was compelled to join up and reply to yours.

I can identify with what your saying. I've been having intrusive thoughts about some harm coming to my children since having my first child a number of years ago. I have recently had a new baby which has sent things into overdrive.

I too worry about some harm coming to them by me not being careful enough, so feel as if I am constantly anxious / on high alert / looking out for danger.

I have constant what if's, which I then believe could have really happened, then get stuck in a cycle of mental checking / replaying (like a stuck record). I have to try and get some reassurance (usually from my husband) that what I think has happened, can't have happened (which I now know is not the right thing to do.)

I have been diagnosed with ocd and have had six months of cbt, after waiting for six months. It has helped, but is now down to me to practice what I've learnt.

The GP just wanted to pack me off with anti d's too, which I've refused as I'm breastfeeding (I know there are some you can take, but the ocd makes my anxiety too high - not wishing to upset anyone who does). I will most likely accept some when I stop breastfeeding.

Oh and I also hand wash excessively and check doors are locked over and over, switches off etc.

Sorry it's long. Hope it helps to know there are others.

Hope you come back.

[Purlesque]

Hi
I'm glad you joined.

Sorry you have this too.
Yes it's fears for my children that is the main problem.

I am too breastfeeding (once a day) my 26 month old so am careful.

Today I'm feeling a bit better but can't get my heart rate down, it stops me sleeping too.

I go for long walks but this doesn't help massively, I take magnesium which has been a help but this time it's not helped much.

I think I'll calm down in a few days.

I hope you feel better soon.

Star girl I shall look into that thanks.

I also watch parts of bedlam and its all too familiar!

[Stardust123]

Have a look at Paul David, Anxiety No More website, he suffered for ten years and he speaks volumes. Good luck. x

[Johnniewalkerblue]

How are things today op?

[Purlesque]

Hi
I've had an awful day. Getting harm and guilty thoughts which made me panic. I've calmed down a bit now.
Dreading having any more :(

How are you getting on?

[Johnniewalkerblue]

Hi, I'm sorry things aren't good at the moment. Do you have any support?

I'm having a reasonably good spell at the moment thank you. I tend to have a week or two of relative calm before I dip right down again.

Every day is a bit of a battle to keep things in check, but i think I've got better at this since the cbt. I find that I have to keep my mind occupied and focused at all times to not let the thoughts take over, so have tv / radio on constantly as background noise and read lots and lots. Otherwise my mind wanders till it finds something to ruminate about.

I find that it helps to just focus on what I'm doing right now and keep busy, rather than dwelling on the what ifs. Kind of ignoring the bully till they get bored and go away.

I know now that if I get any new triggers if I can resist the urge to check (replaying mentally or physically going back and checking something) then the thought tends to go away quicker. I've also written down some of them in therapy and when I look back at them now they sound daft and I wonder why they ever bothered me.

The ones I've had for years (due to replaying millions of times) well I think they are well and truly stuck. They are the ones that I struggle to cope with the most. Even though I know there is no evidence to suggest anything bad actually happened.

Sorry for rambling. Hope your ok.

[Purlesque]

Hello, that's how it's been for me, things just haven't bothered me for a while but in getting 2-3 obsessions a day now. A new one today has sent me into a frenzy.
Been awake since 1:30 :(

Glad you are feeling better, it's a struggle.

[Johnniewalkerblue]

Hopefully things have improved a little since this morning.

It is so difficult, I know.

Do you have anyone in real life to talk to? Not to discuss the content or get reassurance (as this in itself can fuel the ocd.) But just to understand how awful your feeling generally.

Try and take some comfort from the fact that you had been fine for a while, until recently.

If you are ever in a position to have the cbt it has helped me (obv doesn't work for everyone though unfortunately.)

We did have to really push for the therapy but just having them to talk to has been really positive.

All the best.