O.C.D.

18 Jun 2008

Quote by flower411
I know, for example, that there is a handful of people who have witnessed my quirks and will quite probably come in here and take the piss -

Really ?? Who the devil would do such a thing ??
wave

and you've not even seen me in action!

18 Jun 2008

I've read through this thread and I'm posting a response which I hope doesn't upset the OP or any other contributors.
Firstly, I sympathise with those who suffer from OCD. I have several friends who do and, having worked with teenagers with autism and Aspergers, I do understand how some people's obsessive compulsions can become a real source of stress and indeed be almost paralysing in their effects on people's lives.
Secondly, I think the nature of the original post was such that it invited a range of comments. It has received exactly that. I don't see that any of them have been unduly offensive.
Okay... that over and done with, and this is me being very light hearted, I flippin' wish sometimes that obsessive compulsions to tidy and be organised could be bottled and people like me (who are not as tidy and organised!! lol

) could be given a dose of OCD to kick us up the backside and inject a bit of orderliness into the chaos that is our non-OCD lives!! It'd help me enormously!! wink

But I also agree with others, that maybe you should seek out a support group or medical advice about coping with your OCD MissKitty. Am sure they will be able to help. I hope that with time the current stress you are under will alleviate and as a result your OCD symptoms will lessen.
And I have read with interest the strategies that some of you have used to combat your OCD symptoms... I shall bear them in mind when I am discussing OCD with people in the future. It's heartening to hear that symptoms can be overcome.
But honestly... if anyone can teach me to be more tidy and organised (obsessively so or not!!) then I welcome all suggestions!!
Nola x

18 Jun 2008

One thing that doesn't seem to have been touched on is that by it's very nature OCD is impossible to get rid of totally. As a psychologist once told me, you have to pick your battles with OCD because if you get rid of one particular 'ritual' in short time another one will bubble to the surface and that one may be worse than the one you just got rid of.
The other thing that a lot of people don't know (cue Michael Caine anyone?) is that OCD isn't necessarily about rituals. For example one of my more annoying symptoms is thoughts or ideas being rapidly repeated in my head, so much so that it makes it unbearable and very difficult to concentrate on anything you are doing. As it turned out I was able to use an iPod and a love of audiobooks to learn to focus my mind onto something else. With a book it's virtually impossible to do (how many have experienced reading the same paragraph over and over again when you aren't concentrating?) but with an audiobook it's much easier to focus on the reader's voice (especially if it's a good reader like Scott Brick or Stephen Fry), and if you're focussing on the reader you aren't focussing on the repeating thought that was driving you nuts.
If anyone has seen the film The Aviator with Leonardo de Caprio there's a pretty good representation of the more unusual symptoms of OCD that afflicted Howard Hughes.
Meanwhile I'll go back to my butty making I think... 6 slices of cucumber... 4 slices of tomato... 2 spring onions... :twisted:

18 Jun 2008

I had to see a cognitive therapist for an entirely different problem but one of the things he informed of was that I have a mild form of OCD associated with work.
He found it odd as it doesn't impact on my personal life at all, it's purely in the work environment and I shouldn't be able to switch it off the way do but I do apparently.
Until my Mum pointed out that I was the only person she knew with a Colemans row in their fridge redface

Jas
XXX

18 Jun 2008

The funny thing about my OCD is the fact that I wasn't even aware of it until it was pointed out to me a few years ago. To me it was just normal, it was just the way I did things. Personally I don't find it disabling but that's just the way it affects me. The son of an ex-gf had super-duper OCD with bells on and it drove him nuts. On the bright side though their bath was always spotless lol

18 Jun 2008

i will give a few examples of action i used to do.
from a child i always liked things to be in order,
Do you remember the packs of felt pens you would buy and they would start from pale yellow and go through the colour specturm to end with black? well mine HAD to be kept in the right order.
my book case in my room would cause me a dilema that i never really managed to address...
i liked my books to be in height order, but then i would need them to be in alphabetical order, both things couldnt be done.
these "quirks" carried through to young adult hood,
i had issues with the book thing, but i now also had a music collection and a video collection that needed to be alphabetic.
the felt pen colour spectrum turned into a wardrobe/ clothes "quirk" my clothes had to go in colour order, white to black, and all the hangers had to be facing the same way with exactly the same spacing between them.
other little things started, like towles had to be folded the right way, and hung a certain way.
see i still say right way, thats beacuse i didnt think i was doing anything odd, i just thought i was just doing it the "right way", and if something was going to be done do it the right way the first time, it saves time in the long run.
i had a terrible childhood, a mother who didnt care and a father who could not understand how i could read so many books (reading was my escape from reality) but yet my spelling was bad. I tried to learn how to spell every word in the dictionary i would write the word 10 times. i did this every day with every word in the dictionary. i needed to master this spelling thing.
my father would test me, and i really watned to please him, but i would still get the words wrong.
you dont need to know the punishment, but i still couldnt learn/remember how to spell.
any way i reached a certain age, it happened to be when i was around 24, i had one daughter and another on the way. my quirks were exhausting me.
i decided they wernt stopping bad things happening, in fact they were the bad thing happening.
it wasnt an instant thing, i still do the towles lol
and i sometimes find myself being very organised, and as some witnessed when im critisised about my spelling i bite.
but anyone who thinks their "quirks" are starting to control them , or their partners quirks are causing them or you problems, seek some help.
xxx fem xxxx

18 Jun 2008

Thanks hun, that is a really good link... I might try the London one, as I am down there every Wednesday. I am currently taking medication to help the anxiety and repeatative aspect, and am waiting for cognative therapy. My other half is also very understanding, and is aware of my condition, which helps a lot.
It is very hard to deal with, and I really do appreciate all those that have shared their experiences on here, I know it must have been quite difficult to do.
I did actually speak to my doctor this afternoon, and am booked in to see her Monday for a catch up. I am lucky that I have a great doctor.

Quote by HJ
As with most things, its good to know you are not the only sufferer, and clearly you are not on your own as the forum replies show.
There are support groups around, but unfortunately I can't locate one near you MissKitty, but the link is here :

and you might be able to call them to find out about anything more local to you, or even start up a local group yourself.

18 Jun 2008

Quote by Freckledbird
Secondly, Frecklebird, you have upset me - and others - with some of your comments.

Sure you're reading the same thing as us? I don't have a clue as to how anyone could be upset by anything FB has written in this thread.

Thank you.

Quote by Unc
Touches wood and hopes this will be taken in the way it's meant, not as criticism.
I don't think it's what you say FB, I think it's the way you sometimes say it. It seems to me, and of course it's just one man's opinion, that you can come over as rather dry, distant and to be honest, stereotypically school-mistressly.

Absolutely taken in the way you intended. I do know what you mean and I chose my words carefully so as not to upset. I meant no offence. I do think that the ability to laugh at oneself and to take it from others, is often a useful skill to have. I know, for example, that there is a handful of people who have witnessed my quirks and will quite probably come in here and take the piss - and I was trying to say that we aren't all going to get shirty if someone has a laugh at our expense. I know I won't. It's a bit of light-hearted banter which, to all intents and purposes, is what we're here for.
I am so glad that you did not feel the need to apologise - because you have said nothing that comes anywhere near needing an apology.
Misskitty has obviously bared her innermost sensitivities here and must be forgiven for being over-sensitive.
I think that the most pertinent comment in fact came from FB in that, if it is really causing you embarrassment, then you must find professional help because no-one should suffer in that way without seeking help.
I knew someone once who had to prepare for bed in a set sequence and if it slipped they would have to start all over again - maybe several times - until it was completed satisfactorily. They were quite open and matter-of -fact about the whole thing but I have often wondered how they fared.
.

18 Jun 2008

Quote by westerross
Secondly, Frecklebird, you have upset me - and others - with some of your comments.

Sure you're reading the same thing as us? I don't have a clue as to how anyone could be upset by anything FB has written in this thread.

Thank you.

Quote by Unc
Touches wood and hopes this will be taken in the way it's meant, not as criticism.
I don't think it's what you say FB, I think it's the way you sometimes say it. It seems to me, and of course it's just one man's opinion, that you can come over as rather dry, distant and to be honest, stereotypically school-mistressly.

Absolutely taken in the way you intended. I do know what you mean and I chose my words carefully so as not to upset. I meant no offence. I do think that the ability to laugh at oneself and to take it from others, is often a useful skill to have. I know, for example, that there is a handful of people who have witnessed my quirks and will quite probably come in here and take the piss - and I was trying to say that we aren't all going to get shirty if someone has a laugh at our expense. I know I won't. It's a bit of light-hearted banter which, to all intents and purposes, is what we're here for.
I am so glad that you did not feel the need to apologise - because you have said nothing that comes anywhere near needing an apology.
Misskitty has obviously bared her innermost sensitivities here and must be forgiven for being over-sensitive.
I think that the most pertinent comment in fact came from FB in that, if it is really causing you embarrassment, then you must find professional help because no-one should suffer in that way without seeking help.
I knew someone once who had to prepare for bed in a set sequence and if it slipped they would have to start all over again - maybe several times - until it was completed satisfactorily. They were quite open and matter-of -fact about the whole thing but I have often wondered how they fared.
.
I've kept out of this one for personal reasons, it's in the family, but what I do have to say is I agree wholeheartedly with tuney's comments and I'd like to add in FB's defence, knowing her as I do she's by no means a stereotypical school mistress. It may appear that way to some but she happens to be one of the most honest forthright people I've met on here.
FB's comments are just her thoughts and advice and should not be taken as hurtful or as being critical.

18 Jun 2008

If I had to have OCD, why could it not have been a flaming tidying thing? :huffs:

18 Jun 2008

Quote by winchwench
If I had to have OCD, why could it not have been a flaming tidying thing? :huffs:

ahhh I got that one.
and the one that means I have to iron, fold and use my tea towels the 'right' way.
oh.. and the one that means that if I start cleaning a little bit I have to do the whole room/house/street redface

oh and the one that means that I can tell if someone has so much as looked at any of my books.
oh and I have the keeping anything 'just in case'
But they are just quirks and idiosyncrasies... they are endearing, charming, sweet.
but don't f'king move it right?

18 Jun 2008

Quote by jaymar
I've kept out of this one for personal reasons, it's in the family, but what I do have to say is I agree wholeheartedly with tuney's comments and I'd like to add in FB's defence, knowing her as I do she's by no means a stereotypical school mistress. It may appear that way to some but she happens to be one of the most honest forthright people I've met on here.
FB's comments are just her thoughts and advice and should not be taken as hurtful or as being critical.

I have absolutely no argument with FB's honesty or forthrightness. I'm also quite sure she never intends to be hurtful. FB is however perfectly able to be critical, but that is not a bad thing!
I am interested in why you felt it necessary to defend FB when from her reply she clearly accepted that I wasn't attacking her.

18 Jun 2008

I think we all have our 'little ways'. Its only the degree to how far they go that makes us all different.
We are only human, not perfect wink

18 Jun 2008

Quote by helnheaven
I think we all have our 'little ways'. Its only the degree to how far they go that makes us all different.
We are only human, not perfect

Speak for yourself :smug:

18 Jun 2008

Quote by helnheaven
We are only human, not perfect

speak for yourself ....
I will be perfect.. just as soon as I can get the tea-towel to line up with the corner of the belfast sink as it intersects with the range cooker and the utensil pot.
bearing in mind the location of the moon in relation to pluto and the sun.

18 Jun 2008

Quote by Unc

I've kept out of this one for personal reasons, it's in the family, but what I do have to say is I agree wholeheartedly with tuney's comments and I'd like to add in FB's defence, knowing her as I do she's by no means a stereotypical school mistress. It may appear that way to some but she happens to be one of the most honest forthright people I've met on here.
FB's comments are just her thoughts and advice and should not be taken as hurtful or as being critical.

I have absolutely no argument with FB's honesty or forthrightness. I'm also quite sure she never intends to be hurtful. FB is however perfectly able to be critical, but that is not a bad thing!
I am interested in why you felt it necessary to defend FB when from her reply she clearly accepted that I wasn't attacking her.
As my sons used to say to me ....'Because....', which to them meant it is self-evident (if that is not self evident to you please PM me - do not take it up on this thread).
Now I'm sure we are all not looking for an argument so let's not hijack Misskitty's thread any further, which is seeking reasonable comment on a serious issue.
.

18 Jun 2008

Obsessive Defensive Dissorder
lp

18 Jun 2008

I was doing some work at the annual OCD conference several years ago and one of the speakers was a guy in his late teens/early 20's. He'd had chronic OCD for several years and beleived if he didn't do his routine then his parents or someone close would die. One day he wasn't able to do part of it....and nobody died. Slowly he started to test it and within a few months had pretty much cured himself of the need to do any of it. He was so good and conveying his story and how he did it I actually found it hard to concentrate on what i was there to do (shame the OCD experts were so dull in comparison)

Quote by Freckledbird
I do think we all have small traits of OCD like frecks said i have some, i laugh at these myself and laugh with others about them i even categorized my cd's and dvd's alphabetically sometimes its a fine line between quirks and OCD i think

Done that! redface

I Used to have mine in alphbetical, chronological and also sectioned into genre's with crossovers between certain bands (which didn't tie into the alphabetical but made it easier to find what i wanted)

Quote by splendid_
oh and I have the keeping anything 'just in case'

Quote by Peanut
For example one of my more annoying symptoms is thoughts or ideas being rapidly repeated in my head, so much so that it makes it unbearable and very difficult to concentrate on anything you are doing.

Err, you lot have got me a little worried now :shock:

19 Jun 2008

Quote by Unc

I've kept out of this one for personal reasons, it's in the family, but what I do have to say is I agree wholeheartedly with tuney's comments and I'd like to add in FB's defence, knowing her as I do she's by no means a stereotypical school mistress. It may appear that way to some but she happens to be one of the most honest forthright people I've met on here.
FB's comments are just her thoughts and advice and should not be taken as hurtful or as being critical.

I have absolutely no argument with FB's honesty or forthrightness. I'm also quite sure she never intends to be hurtful. FB is however perfectly able to be critical, but that is not a bad thing!
I am interested in why you felt it necessary to defend FB when from her reply she clearly accepted that I wasn't attacking her.
I wasn't suggesting you personally had a issue on that. I don't actually have to explain myself but seeing how you are so very intereste, my defence on FB is this, I've watched over the past few days a few people having a dig at her.
My comments were in general and not directed at you other than the 'school mistress' label.

19 Jun 2008

Hi, thanks again all for dropping in! It is a serious subject, but can understand why some have injected a little lightheartedness (blimey thats a long word for this early in the morning..and I spelt it right too!)
I do appreciate everyone who has taken part, and say thanks too, and also to those who have pm'd me - it really has meant a lot.
Right, off to start another lighthearted thread....
Hope everyone hasa good day!

19 Jun 2008

My Dad has OCD, it drives me crackers when I visit him and we go out anywhere! Checking doors, windows, house alarm on, close door... get to gate, goes back, opens door checks alarm is on, closes door, locks, gets to gate... and so on! always some reason he has to go back and check something. It takes hours to get him down the road and out of sight of the house. Then he has other things he does which I'm not gonna go into but it can be so frustrating for him and everyone else!
My brother has it I think too... he does something repetitively and has injured himself at times, tho some of it maybe due to his condition as well... dont know for sure!
I used to work with a women who counted all the time...out loud, everything had to end in three! could be amusing but a pain for everyone else who had to listen to it...:smile:

19 Jun 2008

I have (I think) a very mild OCD. Putting things in order makes me calm and happy. From my DVDs in colour order, to the 4 colours of coffee beans in Starbucks. Mine seems to be a visual requirement rather than alphabetical etc.
I laugh about it but I do get irritated if someone stops me. That's part if it I suppose. And sometimes its a case of "why do you need to do that, stop it, there's no point". Well there may be no point to them, but it makes me happy, does no-one any harm including me and I LIKE IT so leave me alone.
Mine is mild but I can imagine the feelings for people with a worse case.

19 Jun 2008

I'll admit, Ive not read evrything word-for-word in this thread, and apologise if what I say has been repeated.
After reading the original post, I do have an increased insight into OCD now.
I work in a care home and was told a service-user has this condition. As an onlooker, it can't be easy for the sufferer. This service user has an obsession with cleanliness. She will not touch anything without her gloves on. She came up to me today in work and said that a wheelchair cushion was on a pile of towels and the towels needed to be washed as anyone could have sat on this cushion. She wont let u touch her unless you are wearing gloves. The list goes on....
This is just what I observe, the cleanliness side of it. Whether Ive been told right, that this is OCD she has, I really do feel for the person who has it and the partner, or anyone else who is close to them.
To anyone who has it, it's nothing to be ashamed of. To empathise with the sufferer, I can only imagine that u must make sure things have been done and like to make ur own routine and ur own ways of doing things? i'm probbaly totally wrong, but really trying to understand it from their point of view?
I hope this isnt off-topic but does anyone else find this happens in the workplace?
PS Apologies for the typos etc but dunno how to get overwrite off lol

Ive just had to re-write a full paragraph from correcting a mistake
Best wishes to anyone reading who is affected, directly or in-directly, by this.
Miss cream xxx

20 Jun 2008

Quote by creampie123
I'll admit, Ive not read evrything word-for-word in this thread, and apologise if what I say has been repeated.
After reading the original post, I do have an increased insight into OCD now.
I work in a care home and was told a service-user has this condition. As an onlooker, it can't be easy for the sufferer. This service user has an obsession with cleanliness. She will not touch anything without her gloves on. She came up to me today in work and said that a wheelchair cushion was on a pile of towels and the towels needed to be washed as anyone could have sat on this cushion. She wont let u touch her unless you are wearing gloves. The list goes on....
This is just what I observe, the cleanliness side of it. Whether Ive been told right, that this is OCD she has, I really do feel for the person who has it and the partner, or anyone else who is close to them.
To anyone who has it, it's nothing to be ashamed of. To empathise with the sufferer, I can only imagine that u must make sure things have been done and like to make ur own routine and ur own ways of doing things? i'm probbaly totally wrong, but really trying to understand it from their point of view?
I hope this isnt off-topic but does anyone else find this happens in the workplace?
PS Apologies for the typos etc but dunno how to get overwrite off Ive just had to re-write a full paragraph from correcting a mistake
Best wishes to anyone reading who is affected, directly or in-directly, by this.
Miss cream xxx

i have a gentleman, who works along side me, and he has got a slight OCD.
as where everything on his desk has to be in a place, and gets very annoyed, if he come back in from holdiay and thing have been moved.. even if they have moved ever so slightly.
my ex was a bit like your work college. but to the extent that she couldn't open public doors.. she always had to cover her arm with a sleve.. i did say, what if you had nothing to cover ur hand up with, she either not go through the door, or wait for someone else to.
with regards miss_kittys first post.
my brother's partner, has to go round the house about 3 times to make sure all switches are off. and if there is one that is forgotten, then she'll start the process again.
i dont this OCD is something to be ashamed of. as i think everyone sufferers from it is some shape or form.

20 Jun 2008

Thanks foxy, jiggle and creampie... I must admit it did follow me into the workplace - when my hubby died I went back to work a week after, and wasn't given a permanent desk until I went on switchboard, and had to have things in a certain place, and if I came back from lunch and found things moved, found it really upsetting. I do have to keep things visually tidy and clean, I do a little housework every day, and feel uncomfortable if I can't do it - though with help I am starting to cut down on this.
I do appreciate how hard it is for those around people with OCD, but it is as hard for the sufferer.
Thanks again for dropping in!!
surprised

20 Jun 2008

Quote by creampie123
I'll admit, Ive not read evrything word-for-word in this thread, and apologise if what I say has been repeated.
After reading the original post, I do have an increased insight into OCD now.
I work in a care home and was told a service-user has this condition. As an onlooker, it can't be easy for the sufferer. This service user has an obsession with cleanliness. She will not touch anything without her gloves on. She came up to me today in work and said that a wheelchair cushion was on a pile of towels and the towels needed to be washed as anyone could have sat on this cushion. She wont let u touch her unless you are wearing gloves. The list goes on....
This is just what I observe, the cleanliness side of it. Whether Ive been told right, that this is OCD she has, I really do feel for the person who has it and the partner, or anyone else who is close to them.
To anyone who has it, it's nothing to be ashamed of. To empathise with the sufferer, I can only imagine that u must make sure things have been done and like to make ur own routine and ur own ways of doing things? i'm probbaly totally wrong, but really trying to understand it from their point of view?
I hope this isnt off-topic but does anyone else find this happens in the workplace?
PS Apologies for the typos etc but dunno how to get overwrite off Ive just had to re-write a full paragraph from correcting a mistake
Best wishes to anyone reading who is affected, directly or in-directly, by this.
Miss cream xxx

:thumbup:

21 Jun 2008

I have a 'thing' dunno if you could call it OCD, but its a 'thing' anyway....i dont DO loss very well...loss of physical things freaks me out in a big way.
I am a most disorganised untidy person, so stuff is ALWAYS lost in our house...doesnt bother me if I dont find it for days, but I know its in the house, so that completely OK.
What really sets me off is the thought of permanent loss. I hate kites and helium balloons, because they can slip from your grasp and be lost forever. When the kids were babies and kicked their little socks or shoes off (as babies often do) when we were shopping, i would go round and retrace all my steps in an attempt to find the lost item, and feel sick and shaky until I did...or if I didnt, it played on my mind for days.
Hate looking over the side of a boat when sailing cos Im afraid that i will drop something into the sea(handbag, jewellery etc) and it will be lost forever.
We got repossesed from our house and had to leave quickly and move in with a friend, I had to leave behind so much stuff, it nearly (metaphorically speaking) killed me, it caused me so much anxiety and physical symptoms it was untrue. This was 9 years ago, and i still worry about the stuff i left behind, even tho its long since festering on a tip somewhere.
I have dreams where i find myself back in my 'old' house trying to get the stuff out, these occur quite regularly......yeah I know im a basket case and a fruit loop, but taking the piss out of myself is my way of coping...and if ya cant do it to yourself who can ya do it to. biggrin

:D :D
I have other 'things' too but there isnt enough mega-giga-bytes of space in the forum to list them all wink

21 Jun 2008

awhh bones, ive felt like this, but just thought it was me.
I moved every 18 months as a child and always had to leave things and people behind.
i have always had dreams of things being taken from me, it used to be my pillow as a child.
when i was 19 i ended up with my daughetr and one suitcase. that was it. my soul possesions in the world.
it took along time to build up my things again. then for a long while they had to be all packed away and put into storage.
it seemed the biggest thing i hated happeneing kept happening.
ive now been in the same house for so long, i still have horrid dreams about being taken from my house and losing it.
i think these dreams havent translated into any daytime ocd in itself but i think it contributed to the ocds i do have.
sorry does that make any sense?
xx fem xx

21 Jun 2008

makes perfect sense to me hun...i hoard things....clothes, books, card, letters, papers, toys, cos I cant stand to lose them...i attach unneccessary and hugely inflated importance on them, which makes it virtually impossible for me to get rid of them.

22 Jun 2008

Fem and Bonedigger... I totally understand what you mean. It's not really things I have lost, its people, so I guess thats why I'm a hoarder... I still have things from 20 years ago and find it hard to de-clutter.
My house is full of things that I don't really need, but can't get rid of. I think it's my form of control over the things I can't.
Hugs to both of you!!