OCD's topics - tribe.net

Trichotillamania/phasia

2008-07-24T09:39:03Z

I pull out my hair and then I have to eat the root off of it, or I become really dissapointed... it's weird.

posted in OCD - 1 reply

My Confessions.

2008-02-02T06:37:28Z

OCD does not necessarily actually pertain to 'acts' as such. It can also be a purely mental phenomena, images reeling off in the minds eye that you are powerless to stop. In fact, it was only recently that I realised that I do have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Then again, I'm not so sure it is a 'disorder' as such, these things are just part of who I am and they don't particularly interfere with my life.

They say that talking to yourself, is the first sign of madness (so what's the second?), and I confess that there are times when I do this, sometimes the instinct is very strong, other times it is mild, and there are periods where I do not do it at all.

When I say that I 'talk to myself', it isn't that I am actually having a conversation with myself as such, which sounds absurd to me, but often, my mind will become so busy with things, that I find it necessary to verbalise, it's like mental overspill, as if I am talking to somebody who is in front of me, and I don't know why I do this, but it is something I have done all of my life as far as I can remember. I have learned of course not to do this out loud, I just mutter under my breath, it is a compulsion that I am powerless to stop at times, and often I don't realise that I am doing it until I've been wittering on for a while and I become lucid of what I'm doing and think, 'My God, what a nutcase!'.

The times at which I have the greatest urge to verbalise my 'busy-mindedness', is always when I am alone, I may be sat up late at night with no television or music on, very content to just witter off the surplus thoughts in my head. It can be a very relieving experience, in fact, it really does feel as satisfying as having a conversation with someone who is actually there, to get things off your chest, out of your head.

The shower or bath is another place that I can often have a strong urge to witter, I suppose like other people get the urge to sing. I can remember my sister once banging on the bathroom door, and shouting, 'Who are you talking to in there!?', obviously, I was just wittering away to nobody in particular, and this was her point. This was at a time when the urge was incredibly strong, and I must have been doing it a little too enthusiastically, and not being quiet enough. I was very embarrased, and I stayed in there a long time before I dared to come out, as I was so ashamed.

The number one time that I get the irresistable urge to witter, is if I am outside walking somewhere, but I have to be careful, especially at night, as it is easy to turn a corner and suddenly bump into someone, or catch sight of someone approaching that I hadn't acknowledged quick enough while busy with my busy mind, who has obviously seen me verbalising into thin air, and this of course is very embarrasing, if it's someone I find attractive, especially so. I don't know why, but there is something about the rhythmic motion of walking that lulls me into wittering.

I do actually wonder if this is indeed OCD, or whether I have a form of Tourette's Syndrome, then again, I suppose Tourette's could be thought of as OCD anyway.

Regarding being out walking, wittering isn't the only form of OCD I have. I want to point out that I have never told a living soul about these little madnesses of mine by the way, so I hope I'm not on my own.

When walking, and again, it's something about the rhythm that lulls me into it, I also have imagery and sounds that enter my head, they don't make me feel uncomfortable, in fact I find it very comforting actually, much like the wittering, but when you find out what the noises and imagery are you might wonder why I derive satisfaction from it.

I will have elaborate imagery of violence and murder, limbs being hacked off, blood-curdling screams, torture, roaring and growling, sexual imagery, I see knives and tortuous implements and imagine what awful things could be done with them, scenes from horror movies, sometimes I feel like screaming or making sexual grunts, puffs and pants, and moans of ecstacy, which I will sometimes do under my breath but I've never actually succumbed to doing it loudly. I cannot helped but get lulled into this state of mind when out walking, but sometimes the urge is stronger than others, and if I have the urge to witter on about something then the imagery takes a back seat. This is probably all sounding more dramatic than it actually is, it just part of me, and I can't help it.

I am also a lifelong nail-biter, which is also OCD, although because it is relatively common, people don't often think of it like that. I have always bitten my nails very short, I don't ever remember them being to the ends of my fingers. I don't have any cuticles because I bit them all off as a child so continously, that they never grew back. When I am really bad with my nails, and if I get frustrated because they have been bitten down as far as they'll go, sometimes I have to start on my toenails, which can be a bit of an awkward stretch, but the compulsion pushes you to do it at all costs. I do confess that I must chew up the nails into little pieces and swallow them, I know that is disgusting, but it's part of the compulsion. The idea of throwing bitten nails away is unthinkable, and if I do discard them, I will be unable to resist the compulsion to retrieve them to be eaten. I even have a crooked tooth, between my right front tooth and incisor, from having fingers pressed against it all my life on a daily basis while biting nails off, and so it is pushed back a little. The stuff that you use to paint on your nails to stop you biting them, never really worked for me, you just get used to the taste, or when you have the bits of nail all chewed up, you just suck the bitter flavour off them, and spit it out, and swallow the nails on a glob of saliva anyway.

This is the same if I ever have a scab or a graze, it must be picked off, and when it is, I know that this is disgusting, then it must be eaten. If I come to my senses and throw it away, I'll have to retrieve it.

I also bite off and chew bits of skin from the inside of my mouth, when I was younger I used to do this more intensively, so that it would be bleeding and sore, I'm not as bad with it now, although I've always done it.

There was a phase that I went through in childhood, where I had an obsession for reflective symmetry, for example, if I bit the nail on my right index finger in three bites, then the nail on the left index finger would have to be bitten off in three bites, in order to 'balance it out'. If for example, I went over, and required four bites, then the right nail would have to be bitten again, even if there was nothing left, and to do so would make it bleed, but then I would have ruined the symmetry of it all, which would be very frustrating. This carried out into many things. If the right side of my nose itched, and I gave it five scratches, I would have to scratch the same number of times on the left side of my nose. If I scuffed my left shoe on a wall, I would have to scuff my right shoe delibrately, again, to 'balance it out'. Sometimes I would even have to hurt myself, such as banging a knee for example, I would have to bang the other by compulsion.

I am not as bad as this as an adult when it comes to reflective symmetry by way of OCD, but I am very particular about things being symmetrical.

Anyway, just wanted to share these things.

I was curious, does anybody else relate to the 'wittering', or the compulsive imagery in the mind?

posted in OCD - 10 replies

Quotations??

2008-01-18T22:46:11Z

I don't know if any of you do this. I hope so, cuz then I'll feel better. I didn't even think of this as OCD till the other day. I have a whole list of quotation triggers; for example, of I look at the clock or someone tells me the time and it's 9:10, I HAVE to say "big fat hen." I've got to where I can usually just think ot and not actually have to sau it out load if it's on a situation where it would be REALLY inappropriate for me to say it.

I have a whole lost of them, mostly lines from childrens books or movies or songs, but not always. The other night at dinner, my son was talking and he said "now" then he paused and immediately, it popped loudly into my head " ...is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country." Yikes! You mean I'm getting new ones?!

posted in OCD - 4 replies

SISP Self Injurious Skin Picking- Anyone Else?

2007-11-26T05:02:59Z

I struggle with SISP, and would just like to hear from fellow sufferers. It is compulsive and very related to hair pulling- mostly shown in women. I've dealt with this for a few years. Am now taking Seroquil and have hopes that it will lengthen the time for the the decision making process. As all of you know, our normal decision making time is micro-seconds between decision and action. Please respond. Thanks.

posted in OCD - 7 replies

I juast found this group and it makes me feel good

2007-10-24T16:21:14Z

My name is Neil and I have had O.C.D. since high school. Let me tell you that I have read some of the thngs in here and they resonate profoundly. I have been having problems with my thoughts however because they seem to take on a mind of their own and while I know that is what they are doing it is bothersome sometimes. The medcation helps for the most part but it is just nice to know that apparently I am not the only one with this problem

I just thought i would say that it is nice to meet all of you.

There is some great stuff on here about relationships (and even though I am single and gay) I want to thank whoever posted the stuff on thinking of people in that section because it is very nice to have read.

I don't get out much because my OCD kind of keeps on the bus and so forth but it would be interesting to meet people, I should say that I don't cumpulse as much as I obcess and it has been good to read all of the thoughts from everyone

It is nice meeting all of you and thanks again for those who have had the guts to create this thing so that people like me can connect.

posted in OCD - 1 reply

Whoa

2007-10-03T02:29:15Z

I feel very anxious today, No idea why. Sigh, I wish I could relax.

posted in OCD - 7 replies

Need a bit of reasurance

2007-09-30T22:46:53Z

Well I have seen a therapist and read books and did internet research And I know I have OCD. My problem is I am teriffied to take meds and I have heard some people smoke medical marijuana but marijuna gives me panic attacks. And If I get and strange feelings of that sort I'll get a panic attack. How can I tone my anxiety down? I have problems with negative thoughts like something bad is going to happen if I don't do certian rituals so to speak. Plus when I get nervous I bite the sides of my mouth. I don't know anyone whos does that. I feel like I am aquiring more rituals. I want to ease some away not gain more. I feel like I have way to many fears and just want to go about things normally. Whatever is defined as normal?

posted in OCD - 15 replies

Not wanting to point fingers

2007-09-30T01:34:44Z

But can a person in general really aggaravate your OCD, Like make it worse. Mainly by their actions or how they carry them self? I think a really found my main trigger or shall I say who. But Don't want to be mean.

posted in OCD - 12 replies

Anybody?

2007-09-29T21:03:18Z

I have the weirdest rutials. They are very embrassing. I feel like I have to hide them. Anyone else? So I don't feel like such a weirdo?

posted in OCD - 10 replies

Bras

2007-09-28T01:04:04Z

HI
It seems that my OCD usually wants to manifest itself in more embarrassing ways lately. I suppose in a way that can sound funny, but I am really suffering.
My biggest OCD thing right now is about bras. I am almost always worried about if I put it on right, and there are many different variables as to how it can be wrong. Is it crooked, did I pull it down far enough or too far, did I dry off enough after the shower, etc. It gets very complicated.

posted in OCD - 15 replies

Hello

2007-08-23T04:21:50Z

How you all doing? I recently was diagnosed with OCD, but I have suffered most of my life... It started in 6th grade, I was completely scared of germs and was washing my hands all the time.. checking plates and glasses for dirt before I ate or drank. Thankfully that episode subsided (I think it was when i saw Outbreak in the movie theater). Then my freshman year of college had a fear that I had AIDS (until I got tested)... I believe even during the none intense times it still effected me, counting, having to get somethings done a certain way or disaster...coin flipping to make discussions, etc. But recently it has been its worse which made me go out a seek help.

My 2 main fears that consume most of my day.. although have been getting better, is that 1. That I have some mental illness like schizophrenia and 2. fear of sharp objects and either hurting myself or some one else. Its been pretty painful. I never have had these fears before. I've discussed these things with multiple therapists, and specialists and they all assured my that I'm not schizophrenic... but that reassurance lasts maybe only for a few hours. Its weird my brain constantly searches for symptoms, and wonder if I display any of them, than I try and find anything I have ever done or remembered doing that makes a connection, or I make connections with things that aren't symptoms but they still give me anxiety like if I have a headache...that must mean I'm schizophrenic. I started taking a anti-depressant, and will begin therapy with a specialist at the end of the month. Does anyone else has these fears? Any coping methods.. I'm getting better at controlling them, but its been a exhausting few months. My friends and family are very supportive so I'm confident I'll get through this. Thanks for Reading!

posted in OCD - 23 replies

Cleaning Rituals After Sex

2007-08-08T04:42:37Z

I've had mild ocd for a few years. I describe it as mild because for the most part, it doesn't completely interrupt my everyday life. Yet, whenever I have sex, I find myself in the shower for well over an hour. Then I feel the urge to clean any place in the house that may have been "contaminated" by me or my partner. The stress over the whole situation has made me refrain from sex entirely.

Does anybody else have similar feelings toward sex? Can anybody offer any suggestions on how to overcome this problem?

posted in OCD - 11 replies

OCD--about my therapist's office

2007-07-06T04:12:28Z

I've noticed in the past, with other therapists, that I get really O/C about any little change in the environment. Now, I'm doing it a lot with the psych. I've been seeing for about 10 months. While I wait in the waiting room, I have to straighten all the pictures, put back magazines others have left out of place, straighten the couch cushions, etc.

Last week, I went in and, in his office, two chairs had been moved slightly. I practically made it an accusation when I commented on it! nd I HAD to put them back the way they'd always been.

Anyone else get particularly wierd at their shrink's? Any good thoughts as to WHY?!

posted in OCD - 3 replies

Shopping in hell.......actually it was wal-mart

2007-06-27T05:54:07Z

Today My Fiance' and I decided to go to the local wal mart and get a few things. first, I was getting canned cat food for my 2 cats, and the cans were somehow open....I got cat food juice all over my hand. then there was the whole personal space issue........people every 2 feet. Then for the coup de gras.........we were walking down this aisle, and a woman sneezed.......and didn't cover her mouth!!!!!! we came home and somehow I've resisted the urge to shower.......I'm working on things like that.

posted in OCD - 6 replies

mild case/relationships/ramble!

2007-06-26T17:29:26Z

Hi there,

I don't seem to have all the symptoms of full-blown OCD - I don't have any concern about germs or spend time doing rituals, thinking about numbers or any of that.
But I recently woke up to my food obsession and a compulsive eating. I've always eaten when I'm not neccessarily hungry - for pleasure, comfort, etc. and moderation was not my strength, but recently I realized it had really gotten out of control to an obviously "not right" level.

Consciously seeing that pattern has made me look back and realize that I've been having a lot of those kind of thought patterns throughout various areas of my life. They seem to be more severe within the last 6 months or so.
I tend to obsess on topics that are worrying me - especially things I'm waiting to hear back on, if I'm unsure of the answer or outcome. I'll wonder about it and worry about it and have imagined conversations, visualize various outcomes - good and bad. I remember I used to do that one a lot awhile back - I called them my "anti-fantasies", because I would spend so much mental energy (usually at night when I just wanted to go to sleep) vividly imaging these horrible things that I didn't want to happen.
I just hope that Law of Attraction thing doesn't bite me on the ass for those thoughts! :) It's so stupid to put myself through that, but I couldn't seem to turn it off.

In any case ...I don't want to be finding things that aren't there, but I am seeing these tendencies...and strangely, it's seeming to calm me down and make me feel better about it. I guess because I have a name for it now and a direction to study and move toward understanding and controlling it. Because it's the out-of-control aspect that is so difficult. BTW, I also kind of obsessively research stuff on the web if I hear about something interesting...I guess that can be a good thing!)
I was addicted to cigarettes for a long time and I see those same behaviors echoed in many things I do.
Stress seems to aggravate it and that just snowballs the whole thing.

One bad thing about this basically good (sort of!) discovery is that my bf (of several years - I'm 33, he's 45) is kind of reeling from it. I've just recently started really discovering it and I've only just started sharing about this stuff with him. He has no basis for comparison to this kind if "irrational" thinking. He's been depressed before, but it's always had a reason.

Up until recently my tendendies haven't effected my "outside" life much. Mostly they happen when I'm alone ( we live apart) or just in my head and they are not obvious to others, so this is all kind of a shock to him. He knows I get anxious sometimes, but he's had no idea of just how intense my thoughts can get, or some of the addictive/compulsive type behaviors I have when we're not together. Some of this stuff I sort of half-consciously kept hidden, most of it I don't really consciously realize was happening.

It was really hard to tell him about this stuff because we're already on shaky ground (because of an incident earlier this year where I really hurt him, that I now actually think was very much linked to my obsessive tendendcies - almost a kind of breakdown), and now his gf is telling him she's kinda nutty and that what happened may have been caused by these wierd thought patterns and behaviors. I almost feel like I'm making excuses to him when about what happened, but I'm not. I think I'm really finding some understanding about it, which is really good because it was not making sense to me before and it was making me feel really bad and shameful and confused.

I'm feeling better now about what happened and why and how to go about preventing it from happening again and controlling these thoughts, now that I have a better idea about what's going on.

I am afraid he'll decide that dealing with all my crap is not what he wants.
I know he is trying to understand.

Jeez, this is a long ramble! :P

I guess I'd just like to share this stuff with someone who might relate and also ask how your personal relationships have been effected by this stuff.

Thanks for listening. :)

posted in OCD - 10 replies

It can get better.

2007-01-29T23:40:40Z

As a child, I had all the symptoms of OCD. As a teen, too. Now, I feel 90% over it all. I'm in my 40's. Anyone else here feel their symptoms have mostly gone away? (I bet they never vanish completely.)

L

posted in OCD - 6 replies

Picking

2006-12-06T06:39:12Z

Hi, Im new here. I was wondering if there were people i could relate to. I know that i can relate to people about the ocd i have with cleaning and organizing and showering and stuff like that, but does anyone else pick at their scalp and eat what they pick off? I know it sounds really grosse, but i cant stop. I do it for hours every day and i am always late in the morning because of it. I also bite my knuckles constantly.

posted in OCD - 8 replies

Yoga

2006-11-20T10:21:57Z

FYI:
I have found that yoga helps with my OCD and anxiety tremendously. I've noticed this lately cause I'm getting back into it again(stopped doing it for a while).

posted in OCD - 0 replies

Wild Complusions?Collecting Etc...

2006-11-07T00:50:43Z

Anyone have a complusion that is so pervasive in you life that it has become part of who you are? Like collecting so many action figures that there is no more room for your significant other's things, or washing rituals so ornate that it becomes difficult to hide them. I'm looking for women to embrace their quirks and share them on an award-winning documentary series on a major cable network. What's your story?

posted in OCD - 0 replies

OCD about tribe

2006-11-04T18:28:00Z

tribe.net is an OCD activity for me. quick! get rid of all the orange on your list of tribes! check and recheck tribes. log in multiple times a day. join tribe addicts and tribe whores.

posted in OCD - 9 replies

OCD Diversity

2006-10-21T04:07:46Z

I've seen threads from tribesters with "checking" compulsions, washing, excessive skin picking, number fixations... but nobody else with my main tick, OCHD - obsessive compulsive hoarding disorder. I have many triggers but my specialities are sharpie permanent markers, umbrellas and hairbrushes. I'm an educated self-aware person but with this I just can't help myself.

Anyone else suffer from this?

posted in OCD - 15 replies

Pills

2006-08-16T02:22:23Z

Hi
I am considering taking some meds for my OCD. For those who have given them a go, what is your experience with them?

posted in OCD - 1 reply

SelfAwareness*~--ThinkingRevolution--;;Listening;;

2006-08-03T15:43:22Z

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/selfawarenessthinkingrevolutionlistening-

posted in OCD - 0 replies

ChristophPEbert'sRealize2ActualizeARoomForConsiousrEvolution

2006-08-03T15:42:52Z

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/realize2actualize/

posted in OCD - 0 replies

StevenMannette's Bio&SelfAwareness&RelaxingTechniques&Hobbies

2006-08-03T15:42:29Z

http://sitepalace.com/StevenMannettetje/

posted in OCD - 0 replies

OCD number?

2006-07-24T14:41:28Z

Anyone else have a magical OCD number? Mine's 11 (see the "11" tribe).

posted in OCD - 26 replies

just so...

2006-07-24T00:40:27Z

Since having my nany and my boyf being neurotic about tidiness I am now extremely obsessive bout everything being just so - the dining chairs , the place matts... and not a crumb on the floor and by the time ive finished it all needs doing again - im very tired....

posted in OCD - 1 reply

I beat my OCD!

2006-06-05T03:32:47Z

Hi all I had severe OCD and depression and anxiety for 25 years even tried to commit suicide but now I beat most of it and wrote an unconventional book on how I did it. I have two oscar winners praising my book Man, Interrupted including Mel Brooks. I live in Louisiana but my book is only out in Europe until sept. but you can order it at www.amazon.co.uk from america. I hope it might inspire you and email me at joebobmichael13@yahoo.com if you read it. best Jim

posted in OCD - 1 reply

Making Decisions

2006-05-25T03:20:13Z

I have a horrible time making just about any decision. I almost always over think and over analyze to the point of headache or anxiety attack. Also being in school, I have tons of decisions and its kind of distracting when you're trying to work but your heart is pounding out of your chest and your breathing isn't normal. Does anyone have any sugguestions?

posted in OCD - 4 replies

hello to you all

2006-05-08T01:39:05Z

i just joined this tribe and want to say how excited i am to hear all of your thoughts and stories.. it's good to hear that i am not alone....

here's my OCD:
-symmetry
-ordering
-list-making
(and i feel i may be moving into a bit of a germ thing every once in awhile)

has anyone felt that their OCD has evolved as they've gotten older. I've had instances of OCD since my parents can remember (as far back as 2 or 3), but I definitely feel it has gotten worse(?) over time.

how about you?

posted in OCD - 5 replies

any mouth biters here?

2006-05-07T06:14:05Z

I have this nasty compulsion to bite the inside of my mouth. everyone i've ever met that did this was also OCD.........

posted in OCD - 7 replies

Germophobe's Worst Nightmare

2006-05-07T06:07:24Z

Don't read this if you have a weak stomach...

I'm a bank teller...I handle about $50, 000, on average, in the normal course of the day, both incoming and outgoing. We also exchange foreign currency, which means I get exposure to germs from all over the globe. We get kids, old people, people with colds and the flu... Not that I don't like old people because two of my favorite people in the world are old people, but some old people are really disgusting. Who decided that it would be a good idea to keep your nose-nuggets on a small sheet of cotton in your back pocket. That's the ultimate in nastiness.

I also realized something interesting. The antibacterial gel of which we're all so fond, doesn't actually CLEAN your hands. It MAY kill the bacteria, but if you wash your hands right after you use it, you'll notice all of the dirt coming off you in the form of gray bubbles. I had to change from the Purell gel to the Purell wipes so that I could physically see the dirt coming off my hands.

Blech, ok, i've freaked myself out enough for one day.

posted in OCD - 17 replies

Support Groups

2006-04-22T02:15:33Z

Hi
I would like to join an OCD support group, and the internet is not prooving to be a bountiful resource to finding one.
Does anyone know of a good way to find one?

posted in OCD - 1 reply

Depression/Anxiety

2005-12-24T03:34:32Z

I’ve been suffering from panic attacks and depression since the age of 14.
I’ve taken all kinds of anti-depressants like Paxil 20mg, Prozac 20-30mg,
Effexor, Celexa 20mg, Wellbutrin 300mg. For Anxiety I’ve taken
Clonazepam .5mg twice a day, Xanax .5mg, Buspar 10mg twice a day.
It seems like Prozac and Paxil work best for my depression and Clonazepam
And Xanax for my anxiety. However through the years or better
Yet now I’m taking, Paxil 20mg Clonazepam .5mg twice a day and Xanax
Only when I feel a panic attack coming my way. But the fact of the matter is
That through out more than a decade of research with psychiatry and therapy
I find that the pills only cover the symptoms and don’t cure me or offer me
A better way of life and I’m sick of the pharmaceuticals companies making
Billions while we feel like nothing better and have side-effects to deal with
Only to take more meds. So I’m at a point in my life that I want to find the true
Cure for our falsely accused symptoms and remedies under the medical mafia.
It’s time we take control or be controlled. So anyone that can help me on my
Journey God Bless you and thank you for what can hopefully help me and millions
Of others. Let’s take back our lives. Now that I got my thoughts and feelings out of
The Way.

I’m thinking of taking 5-HTP, GABA, and St. Johns Wort as a start
In conjunction with my meds although I’m facing a risk. Oh and Milk thistle
To help my liver along the way.

If anyone can give any feed back on possible side-effects of 5-HTP,GABA, St. Johns Wort, and Milk thistle. Or good feedback I would really appreciate your thoughts.
Help me on my journey to a natural approach to well being.

Thank you and if I can help anyone with me lifelong trials battling
Depression and Anxiety I’m here to help and befriend.

My love to all from myself a Human being.

posted in OCD - 3 replies

quick poll-- good or bad

2005-10-22T19:58:44Z

quick poll...
the majority of the time, do you find that your OCD is good or bad for you...

I'll start...

GOOD

posted in OCD - 2 replies

Live,Life

2005-08-24T03:57:11Z

Live

People come into your life for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime. When you
know which one it is for a person, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you
have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide
you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or
spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend, and they are! They are there

for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your
part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring
the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is
that
our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you
sent up has been answered, and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to
share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you
laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you
an
unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: things you must build upon
in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the
lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other
relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but
friendship is
clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life!

Life

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

posted in OCD - 1 reply

addictive?

2005-08-05T04:02:01Z

being an OCD person, would you say that you also have an addictive personality? i certainly do.

posted in OCD - 4 replies

germs

2005-07-24T16:45:13Z

Hi, I'm new to this tribe. My main hangup is germs and washing my hands. I don't think I have a problem, as it doesn't interfere with my life, but I enjoy a good hand washing about 15-20 times a day. Most of the time I don't even wash to get germs off. I just enjoy the feeling of the cold water, and the feeling of having just-washed hands. I carry around a little container of anti-bacterial disinfectant, as many people do. (Do I sound like I'm in denial?!) Anyway, I thought I'd introduce myself, as I identify with all of the posts so far. I don't have OCD though. As far as I know. I'm going to go wash my hands now...

posted in OCD - 9 replies

Who Watches Monk?

2005-07-24T16:39:37Z

Monk is my hero! I thought I was bad, but I see the light. And it help me laugh at my own "check to see if its rreally off this time" issues :-)

Jeff

posted in OCD - 5 replies

who's down with OCD

2005-07-24T16:38:30Z

yeah you know me!

posted in OCD - 3 replies

The Aviator

2005-06-02T18:13:14Z

I've seen it twice now and have a very distinct reaction to it, having OCD myself.
Does anyone else cringe when he (Hughes) get stressed and goes off into OCD flip out mode? I can feel the frustration he must be going through.
It's also scary to think the disorder can be so dehabilitating that one could end up a recluse locked in a dark room with only milk bottles full of pee and your own crazy to keep you company.

posted in OCD - 0 replies

Swab the deck

2005-04-13T00:21:10Z

Am I the only one who experiences orgasmic-like pleasure when cleaning their ears? I do it daily. The idea of not doing it makes my skin crawl. And don't get me started on why Q-Tip makes such a superior swab.

posted in OCD - 10 replies

Monk, plus turning off OCD for certain situations...

2005-03-20T00:40:41Z

Ok, so who here watches Monk? And Identifies with it totally?

I guess I'm here illegally: I'm clinically diagnosed with OCD, long after my friends kept telling me I had it. And I'm medicated.

Another thing: before I got medicated, I learned how to scuba dive. I even shared regulators with other divers, as part of the "I'm out of air, can I use your regulator?" exercise. My husband and I got our own gear eventually, and we are each other's dive buddies, so that became less of a problem, although I still got to share regulators with my instructor during exercises.

It was wierd, because I'm so terrified of someone else's spit hitting my face (I'm short), but for this, I was able to turn it off. Scuba was worth it. Kindof like dog germs are worth it because, hey, they are dogs.

On the dive boats, you are pretty much wet until you get home. I gave in and sat on the toilet seats in the dive boat w/o any toilet seat cover... there was no point to one.

When my husband and I got home, we'd always take showers... you're all icky from either pool water or ocean water. Maybe that's why I could deal: I was able to rationalize that it was ok, as I knew I would get cleaned up when I got home.

posted in OCD - 0 replies

Looking at Pointy Things!!

2005-03-20T00:32:33Z

I have a hard time looking at/ being around pointy things. I have only recently articulated this aversion, because it got so bad I finally consciously noticed.

For example: I can't write with a pen because I hate the point. My whole body curls up and feels prickly, like I am being prodded with small pointy annoying things. I can't really explain the feeling I get. I was in getting a mortgage and she kept...pointing her pen at me! It makes me nervously rub my face. I tried to fight it so I didn't look crazy.
I can't sleep if the pointed edge of a dressing table is in parallel with my face. I remember being quite young and I couldn't sleep because there were so many "points" pointing at me in my bedroom...edges of mirrors, the half-open door, the dressing table, windowsill corner...etc. I'd have to get out and run my hand over the pointy parts, almost like I was removing a charge from them or something. After 'deactivation' they didn't seem so bad. I remember going through a phase where I had to 'smooth out' any points I noticed. I still notice, but don't have the same urge to go massaging all the furniture(thank God)...
Does anyone else have this pointy thing phobia?

posted in OCD - 1 reply

Odd Numbers

2004-07-11T00:06:14Z

Hi Everyone! I'm new. I saw all the postings about even numbers, so I thought I'd check and see if there was anyone else obsessed with odd numbers. I can't stand even numbers! They're too easily divisible.

posted in OCD - 0 replies

do i really give myself away...

2004-04-23T18:47:44Z

so...

on another tribe (stupid but fun questions) I asked this question about being stuck on the "tribes" page/folder and clicking the refressh button over and over again until i saw new posts...

then this guy calls me on oCD type tendencies...

MC

posted in OCD - 2 replies

astrology

2004-04-05T02:50:37Z

i'm wondering if people with OCD tend to also be into astrology. do you they have any connection?

posted in OCD - 1 reply

Buying new items...

2004-03-10T09:17:55Z

Does anyone here do this?

Buy something that looks perfect - take it home and after staring at it and opening and closing it a few times or turning it on or off or etc...you begin to worry that it might be closing a bit funny or the motor sounds possibly a bit funny, or etc... - then you visit a bunch of stores and look at every unit of that item that vexes you until you are satisfied that your's is no worse than anyones else's?

Aaaargh...

MC

posted in OCD - 0 replies

even numbers

2004-03-03T15:41:29Z

i have this thing about even numbers...

when i eat candy, when i take steps, when i rub my toes together, etc...gotta be in even numbers and multiples of 4 are better. i think i am prone to ocd - some really messed up ones developed during the pit of my depression a few years back. took me two years to get the beast(s) under control.

lately, i try and do things in fives or 3's just to mock it.

mc

posted in OCD - 5 replies

OCD & 11

2004-02-18T06:46:22Z

i am so pleased to see that there are 11 members in the OCD tribe right now. this could change at any moment, but i'm going to bask in this delight for now!

posted in OCD - 6 replies

obsessive vs. compulsive

2004-01-30T15:46:54Z

Are you more OBSESSIVE or COMPULSIVE?

obsessions:
-recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images

compulsions: repetitive behaviors or mental acts that one feels driven to perform in resonse to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly

(simplified from DSM-IV definitions)

I'd say I'm more compulsive, but then again, maybe I'm not aware of the obsessions that my compulsions are staving off...

posted in OCD - 1 reply

I'm Down With OCD

2004-01-13T15:35:19Z

Yeah, you know me.

posted in OCD - 7 replies