OCD-related rant

[Rhyfelwyr]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I've been thinking about it, and I can probably rule out the Autistic disorders, since it's only really in the past few years I've become bad at dealing with people. Also, I'm pretty ignorant of the condition, but do Autistm sufferers not tend to have problems with their temper? Because I can't make myself get angry if I try.

I think I may see the doctor about this. During the Christmas holidays, my Dad booked my an appointment to see about my hands while he was down because of some bug he took, apparently the doctor had asked how me and my brothers were doing. Of course, I was told I was going to see about my diet and the IBS which I took a while ago, because I guess my parents knew I wouldn't want to go down to see about my hands/OCD. Anyway when I went for the appointment the doctor was asking about why my hands were in their condition etc, I admitted I had a bit of a thing about washing them but I didn't really want to go into details at the risk of a big deal being made about it. I think he realised I wasn't being entirely honest, he said if I was playing it down I could talk to him again. Anyway, he took a blood test to see about my general health, and it turns out my folic acid is too high (anyone know anything about this, wiki doesn't say much). So I've to go back for a blood test to check it again in a couple of months, and I think that maybe I should see about my OCD then.

On the one hand I don't want happy pills, I suppose I'm hoping that it will just go away, like it did for tibilicus. But at the same time, I don't want to waste anymore of my life. I always hear people talking about how Uni was the best days of their life, but I've now done 1.5 of my 4 years and I'm not in any way involved in any student activities. There's one guy I talk to at lectures sometimes, and he couldn't believe that I hadn't been in either of the student union buildings. My piano teacher (one good thing is that I recently quit the piano ) thought it was incredible that I haven't drank a drop of alcohol at my time in Uni. Of course, anyone who knows me from the Backroom will know I'm not going to get carried away in the partying; but it would be nice to get some kind of life, maybe I'm just going soft.

Sorry about my constant ranting here, maybe the fact that I am ranting and questioning my lifestyle is a good sign?

EDIT: As for the employment thing, I'm talking about not being able to get part-time jobs to contribute a little income. What I mean is in the future, once I have my degree, I don't want to be sitting in my suit looking to build a career, only for the interviewer to look at my info and see a history of mental health problems.

[AlexanderSextus]

look, man being that i'm a cannabis proponent and everything, i'm wary of prescription medications too; but this does not mean that they will not help you if you have a condition that legitimately needs them. If you really have OCD than i would think you should accept what your doctor gives you. If you find that the prescriptions make you feel bad or weird you should tell ur doc, and see what he says.

Also, you may want to look into whether or not Cannabis is a viable treatment for OCD. Cannabis is documented as having beneficial effects for numerous conditions including Mine...(Cerebral Palsy) and also Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is a solely mental condition like OCD.

If there's nothing to suggest cannabis helps OCD, OK! cool. you should at least look into it.

And like i said tell ur doc and take what he gives you man, it will most likely help

[tibilicus]

On the one hand I don't want happy pills, I suppose I'm hoping that it will just go away, like it did for tibilicus. But at the same time, I don't want to waste anymore of my life. I always hear people talking about how Uni was the best days of their life, but I've now done 1.5 of my 4 years and I'm not in any way involved in any student activities. There's one guy I talk to at lectures sometimes, and he couldn't believe that I hadn't been in either of the student union buildings. My piano teacher (one good thing is that I recently quit the piano ) thought it was incredible that I haven't drank a drop of alcohol at my time in Uni. Of course, anyone who knows me from the Backroom will know I'm not going to get carried away in the partying; but it would be nice to get some kind of life, maybe I'm just going soft.

What you have to remember mate is that I put my problems down to some mild behaviour disorder displaying symptoms of minor OCD. Hence how I know what you are going through. I found that my problems only really came around when I was under a great deal of pressure or stress and would come and go. For example I could go 6 months fine with out having an "rituals" but as soon as I would get depressed I would feel the irrational behaviour returning. As I grew up however and talked my problems out I found my problems did go away only because I addressed them. I can now pretty much say with complete assurance that what I had wasn't sever OCD as well, it wasn't severe enough but I believe I did have some form of behaviour problem which affected my cognitive thinking pattern.

Remember though I could only cope with my problems because I talked about them, If you don't address them it can lead you to a very dark place.

[woad&fangs]

Sorry about my constant ranting here, maybe the fact that I am ranting and questioning my lifestyle is a good sign?

It is a good sign

See if you can visit your doctor sooner rather than later. He can help and there isn't much point in waiting if you don't like how your life is going now.

I don't know much about folic acid, but considering your diet, I'm going to guess that that is involved somehow.

[Thermal]

Firstly, the word psychopath is totally exaggerated, a psychopath means non-social - anti-social, which probably is true for most orgahs to some extent.

Secondly, everyone suffers from OCD, EVERYONE, it's just that some have it worse than others, like your very good self, all that varies is the amount you dwell on something.

Washing hands is a common compulsion, all i can think of doing for that is try and get your hands as grubby as possible (within reason) then get a family member to force you to stay way from sinks (get handcuffs if need be) eventually you'll get out of it (i think), if you do this always keep yourself occupied though to prevent too much anxiety.

OCD relates to panic and phobias usually, so think of a phobia and think why your afraid of it, then block that incident out as well as you can. A therapist or Psychologist may help, i do psychology and its simply getting an understanding of the mind, asking someone for help with your mind isn't looney material, however i would recommend a doctor more so, they can give you things to stop your OCD temporarily or perhaps permanently, even if you don't want to take pills, if OCD is ruining your life, then taking pills is better than being scared and a "psychopath" for your life's entirety.

[tibilicus]

Secondly, everyone suffers from OCD, EVERYONE, it's just that some have it worse than others, like your very good self, all that varies is the amount you dwell on something.

That's not true. Everyone suffers from some form of obsessive behaviour but that's different from OCD. With OCD you'll also get mental images in your head, normally which you cant get rid of for example some one close to you dying. The only way to suppress these mental images and thoughts is to do rituals.

A lot of people claim to have OCD when they simply have an obsessive personality. I suppose the only way to find out though is to actually go down to your GP and talk to them about it. They can diagnose if you do have OCD or refer you to some one else. Rhyfelwyr if you feel like this is really making you depressed, interrupting your life and effecting your social life then please for your own sakes go to a doctor.

[Thermal]

well ok then everyone has obsessive thoughts, which is the main part of OCD anyway

[tibilicus]

well ok then everyone has obsessive thoughts, which is the main part of OCD anyway

Yer the main difference though is main people can get by with them, OCD sufferers can't. I also guess most peoples compulsions are no where near as bad as those who suffer with OCD.

[Thermal]

yes they wouldn't be, but i saw a programme about it, and doing the completely opposite to your usual obsession (i.e dirty your hands instead of washing) can eventually (after huge initial anxiety) solve the problem

[Scurvy]

well ok then everyone has obsessive thoughts, which is the main part of OCD anyway

to be diagnosed with any mental illness, it has to prevent the person living an 'ordinary' life - most people would have some symptoms/traits of some mental illness but it would not prevent them from living normally

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I've been thinking about it, and I can probably rule out the Autistic disorders, since it's only really in the past few years I've become bad at dealing with people. Also, I'm pretty ignorant of the condition, but do Autistm sufferers not tend to have problems with their temper? Because I can't make myself get angry if I try.

Not always - I worked in a special school, the one my brother attends, as a volunteer for a couple of weeks about three/four years ago while they were short staffed. Some of the autistic kids there were so unimaginably laid back. Others were less laid back, but most were the sort that burst into tears than charge at you with their fists clenched.

On the other hand, there was one guy who, while I was there, ripped two displays down and assaulted the head teacher with three blows to the head. Fortunately, nobody else was hurt. Also fortunately they were used to this sort of occasional incident and managed to evacuate the entire school onto the playground for their mid-morning snack before he could reach any of them. The kid wasn't punished for it, his issues not being his fault - that was one of the ethics that I was really fond of in that school.

In other words, it does vary greatly - one guy with autism could go right at you the moment something goes wrong. Another could burst into tears, another could just totally ignore it and get on with their life anyway. Of course I am talking about those with really severe autism here, but it's a condition where the symptoms vary from person to person depending upon who they are.

As well as this, you don't have to have had the issue all your life to be affected. It could just be now that you are actually noticing it as social situations become more complex. It still is a possibility.

EDIT: As for the employment thing, I'm talking about not being able to get part-time jobs to contribute a little income. What I mean is in the future, once I have my degree, I don't want to be sitting in my suit looking to build a career, only for the interviewer to look at my info and see a history of mental health problems.

You don't have to worry about that as I have said before. You can tell them about your mental health or alternatively you could just tell them nothing. They have no right to access your medical records.


Cannabis would be rather insensible BTW. To start with, regardless of how much many disapprove, it is legally a class C (and soon to be class B) drug - I think the law applies to Scotland. Possession of class C has a max penalty of (I think) three years imprisonment, class B has a maximum of (I think) seven. Then there's also the risk of the cops thinking that you might be selling it/giving it away, which pretty much is double of the possession when it comes to maximum penalty. Although admittedly the max penalties only apply under exceptional circumstances (e.g you were carrying six tonnes of the stuff in the back of an Eddie Stobart lorry), it's better to be safe than sorry.

[naut]

OCD can become a very serious disorder. Don't take it lightly, if you think you have it see a psychologist or psychotherapist and let them assess you. ERP treatment is pretty affective in most OCD sufferers, it's just a matter of finding a trained professional who offers the treatment.

And health is worth more than employment, if an employer discriminates and refuses to employ you just take them to court. UK Law and the justice system will be on your side.

[cmacq]

Old friend,
on a weekly basis how much outdoor walking to you get it in? Just asking.




CmacQ

[Rhyfelwyr]

Old friend,
on a weekly basis how much outdoor walking to you get it in? Just asking.




CmacQ

None really apart from getting some messages every few days, plus going to Uni. It helps that I'm only in for 3 days a week, and now all my classes are in the same hall, one after the other.

[cmacq]

None really apart from getting some messages every few days, plus going to Uni. It helps that I'm only in for 3 days a week, and now all my classes are in the same hall, one after the other.

From what you wrote I had a feeling you were at that stage. I also saw anxiety, the destroyer of all rational thought. From personal experience I can not understand, yet I sense the key word is anxiety.



CmacQ