am I going mad? please help

miss_no_money_pennies

I know exactly how you feel. As a child I would wash my hands obsessivly and it got to the stage where my parents refered me to a specialist. It stopped. The specialist put it down to the fact that it was just after my nan passed away, I felt like I had no control and this was the only way of getting it back. But... its started again in little things like not being able to touch coins, my friends think I am mad and laugh about it but to me its all about control. Seeing your post has shown me that I need to get a hang of this as it can get very bad, I have the experience of going through it and it was not pleasant. Go find help, I am going to. Thank you for posting this xx

shellsuit

Hi Felicia, if you feel that you can't speak to your doctor (won't be able to get the words out to explain I mean), why don't you write it down, or print off this thread and show the Doctor?

I'm sure you won't be the first person who has clammed up and can't say what they want to say.

I hope you get it sorted and don't worry, you are not going mad! xx

3KIDSNOMONEY

i suffer with ocd and have just ordered the book mentioned above.

these things start of small and snowball so i really would advise you to seek help early before they affect you too badly and start to affect other people. good luck

bedshaped

You're not alone and you're not mad - although I agree it can sometimes feel like it!

Daft as it might sound, a few months ago I got obsessed with the amount of white/grey circles on the pavement (old discarded chewing gum ). I don't know why! I just noticed one day how many there were and before I knew it I had started looking all the time whilst walking along that particular road - I used to walk along there regularly.

I don't do it any more and I've only just realised when reading this that I've stopped but I don't do that walk anymore due to a change in routine. Hopefully I won't start again after confessing tonight!

I also have an OCD for checking the front door is locked several times when I go out and also when I go to bed. I had to start putting a shoe :rolleyes: on the door handle before bedtime so I removed the shoe to lock the door and that way I can remember locking the door because I removed the shoe. As for going out, I have to look at my reflection in the glass in the front door when I'm locking up so that I know I've done it. Instead of asking myself did I lock the door - I ask myself did I move the shoe or do I remember looking in the door glass? What can I say It works for me!

I'm not sure any of that information will help you but if it helps you to feel like you're not alone and not going insane then it was worth typing it.

Can you think of a way you can try and break the cycle?

Mips

It is OCD and it's not a bad thing and you're not mad at all

The insane don't question their sanity

Anyways, what you need to do is learn to control the panic attacks as this is what is frightening for you.

You aren't alone.. many are like this.. and just integrate it into their lives and accept it is just them.

People have it mild.. or severe...

I didn't want to read and run.. but you should take a look at Charles Linden method

Tashja

Hi hun

Just wanted to let you know again you are not alone. I have Post Natal Depression and it has led to a few odd habits one of which is I cannot drink from a black cup/mug !?!

I am getting help from the GP and Healthvisitor and I am currently awaiting councelling.

I was diagnosed when baby was about a month old and she is now nearly 10 months and my health visitor still doesn't know the full story of hese habits and feelings I have - little bits come out each time we have a chat but she does understand and so does my GP.

I would make an appointent with him and take this thread for support ((hugs))

T xx

pukkamum

Please get some help this is treatable and very common as you can see from the other posts. i think we all have our little things we do, for me it is my washing line everything has to be in a certain order and i find myself going moving things around on it!! It's only when it starts to dominate our life it becomes a problem. So please get some help before you make yourself ill with worry x x x x

Lindsay-Lou

Imagine that taking this first step of telling people anonymously has made the next step of telling your partner/gp a little bit closer and more attainable.

I totally get that you have difficulty speaking about the problem – as has been suggested how about writing out you explanation (this gives you a chance to cover everything you want to say – I find when talking about something difficult the emotion of the situation makes me forget some bits and then the other person doesn’t all of the info that I’m trying to get across).

If you give the letter to your partner and gain their understanding then they can go to the GP with you for support.

Best wishes,and extremely dubious(!) hugs :grouphug:

Pssst

Hi Felica,,
yes it sounds like a form of OCD to me,probably brought about by anxiety. Have a read/post here..

http://www.uncommonforum.com/

If you can't sort it out yourself,speak to your GP...but try and avoid medication..

Felicia

Thanky ou for the replies. It is quite shocking to hear that so many people go through something lie this.

I will look further into the sites so thanks loads for that. I am being careful as to when I post on here or visiting sites as I really cannot let my partner know.

That sounds really sad and I know he'd b a great support but something is stopping me and I don't know why. Its not neccessary being scared - more like I just can't say or speak about this. I keep trying the Samaritans just to get practice on speaking about it which sounds bonkers but at least its a step. But no, cannot speak so hang up which I hate doing.

I don't know if its from being scared - it doesn't feel like being scared - more just numb on this when it comes to trying to speak the words just won't come out - believe me I've even tried just sitting in the bathroom at home when no one else is in and try speaking to myself about it!!!!

The whole situation is just so bizarre - I cannot understand why I can't ask for help from a GP (hung up about 20 times now) or even my partner. In some ways I'm not overly comfortable posting about it on here but I accept I've got to do something and this is a start.

I could type for ages - so much going through my mind but it is helpful to have something to read back on and a website is anonamous and not stored on my computer at home or on a piece of paper that could get into someone elses hand which I'd hat to happen.

Does any of what I say makes sense?