How to get over OCD

Computer Sci

I have never really talked with anyone about this before, but I have been struggling with OCD for many years now. I have tried to ignore it and hope that it would go away as I get older, but nothing has changed. Basically I check things like taps about 5 times or more to make sure they are not on - fearing that I could flood the house if I leave them on by accident. Likewise, I check that plugs are out, and switches off over and over, fearing that the house I'm in could burn down if I forget to make sure they are not active.

It manifests itself in numerous other ways, and I am fed up with it because it makes me paranoid that I am going to do great damage if I don't do things like check taps and plugs/ switches over and over again. I have actually broken taps in the past a few times, and in one place - caused a minor leakage from pulling the tap too hard, resulting in the carpet in the hall been destroyed and having to be replaced.

Is there some sort of way to trick the mind out of OCD, without having to go to a psychiatrist?

theredletter

A psychiatrist is only one option out of many for people with OCD. First of all, I'm not a trained counselor nor am I a doctor. If you think that your OCD is having a damaging affect on your life I suggest seeing your GP who will offer first hand advice at how to deal with this. It boils down to two treatment options:

1. Medication
2. Psychotherapy

There are certain medications, particularly anti-depressants, which will reduce your OCD tendencies and help you overcome the anxieties surrounding your rituals (which are very common, I'll have you know!). Your doctor will tell you what's available and what might work best for you.

You can also get involved in Psychotherapy (one such form of psychotherapy, called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is particularly affective in terms of OCD). This will be able to address your mistaken beliefs at not checking taps, plugs etc.

I had OCD as a child and spent 1-2 hours doing rituals before being able to go to bed. I told my Mum about the rituals at 11 or so and she told me to take one of the rituals away a night, or to limit them (i.e. I would count to 60 washing my hands/ ensuring a tap was off three times... but I decided to try it one night counting to ten and then not doing it at all). The idea is that you make a list of your rituals and challenge yourself as to how likely your fear will happen. Then you experiment with your belief by trying to limit your rituals.

Checking plugs, taps and light switches are all normal, safe behaviours, but you're doing them excessively. You can live safely and normally while limiting your checking and being comfortable without doing them. Try owning your rituals and decide to limit them one by one until you no longer need to do them. Maybe give this a shot and then see about going to your GP?

HUNK

Computer Sci wrote: »

I have never really talked with anyone about this before, but I have been struggling with OCD for many years now. I have tried to ignore it and hope that it would go away as I get older, but nothing has changed. Basically I check things like taps about 5 times or more to make sure they are not on - fearing that I could flood the house if I leave them on by accident. Likewise, I check that plugs are out, and switches off over and over, fearing that the house I'm in could burn down if I forget to make sure they are not active.

It manifests itself in numerous other ways, and I am fed up with it because it makes me paranoid that I am going to do great damage if I don't do things like check taps and plugs/ switches over and over again. I have actually broken taps in the past a few times, and in one place - caused a minor leakage from pulling the tap too hard, resulting in the carpet in the hall been destroyed and having to be replaced.

Is there some sort of way to trick the mind out of OCD, without having to go to a psychiatrist?

Supposedly Cognitive Behaviour therapy (CBT) can be quite effective in treating OCD. If possible, try and see a mental healthcare professional like a psychologist as they can tailor things to your specific needs. But if you're unwilling or unable to do that for whatever reason then that's ok too.

There is a CBT self-help book you can get which is meant to be quite good :http://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-David/dp/1849010722/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318727090&sr=1-1

Whatever you decide to do I wish all the best.

JuliusCaesar

OCD Ireland might be useful. CBT therapists are/should be members of either BABCP (Go to R for Republic of Ireland or N for Northern Ireland on the drop down menu) or NACBT. HTH.