Anyone on here suffer with OCD?

cat04

picklepick wrote: »

Oh also forgot to ask if anyone else has my type of OCD, I get intrusive thoughts about let's say 'unconventional' things, and I wondered if anyone else had this too? Mine centre around death and different ways that people could die, in particular plane crashes. Not in the sense that I'm scared of flying or anything, I quite like it, but I follow with great interest plane crashes and seem to almost get excited (god this makes me sound like an awful person but it's my OCD) when I see in news headlines that another has crashed. Just so I can read about it and I tend to hunt down black box transcripts, etc.

I know thoughts about death are common with OCd sufferers, just wondered if anyone else obsesses over anything like that?

If you read my aboe post you'll see that I've only just thought that the little niggly things I do might be a bit obsessive (can't think of a word that's not as strong as obsessive!) but wanted to reply as although I have nothing like your OCD I also have got over obsessed with events like Titanic. I was 17 when the film came out at the cinema and after seeing it I did things like save newspaper clippings about it, there was a real thing at teh time with papers and magazines doing articles about the real life people on the Titanic and their stories, replica front pages from the time etc and I saved them and got in a bit deep with their stories.
My favourite films are those based on real/tragic events/natural disasters like Titanic, Pearl Harbour, The Pianist, any war films at all but especially 1st and 2nd WW, Young Guns (about Billy the Kid), Twister etc. I think I've 'chilled out' as I've got older as the 9/11 films that came out didn't get me in the same way, although I spent a lot of time watching any news report or prgramme on it at the time. I think since being with my new partner I've got better even thiugh we watch a hell of a lot more films then I ever did with my ex (he was a bit OCD or something which probably didn't help!)
I did Political History at A Level and the WW2 stuff facinated me, mainly because I just couldn't get over the fact that human beings could do such things to other human beings. Still can't get my head around that to be honest!

hazyjo

Yep, am pretty obsessed with death and think about it a lot. Have my funeral pretty much mapped out (I'm only 42 but have been thinking I'm dying of something or other for as long as I can remember - still convinced every decade I won't see the next one. Never tell anyone, and rarely visit the doctor).

I think the feelings re plane crashes (god forbid) is a normal reaction to most disasters. I read about any disaster/murder with what feels to me like an unnatural interest. Not unhealthy, I think it's to do with me analysing everyone and everything.

I'm always nervous as hell with anything travel-related, but then I have been in around 7 car crashes (two write-offs) - never me driving, and had to go back to the take-off airport on planes twice, once due to engine failure, another with what seemed like 101 probs with the plane, including hydraulic probs. I ended up with 3 cancelled flights in 6 months once cos of plane problems. Once I got as far as in my seat, another time, as far as the departure gate, and the other, ended up flying to a different airport to get on a plane to Manchester when we should've been going to Heathrow.

Needless to say, friends hate travelling with me lol.

I think the OCD bit is determined by what you think will happen if you don't do it. Mine's not just a case of wanting matching pegs, or thinking things are more aesthetically balanced, it seriously affects my life. I think awful things are going to happen if I don't do them. The tapping one's the worst at the moment. I never used to really suffer with that. I remember seeing on that Whitechapel programme where the copper in charge (I think) had horrendous OCD and couldn't get out of his office as kept tapping the light switch (might have turned it on and off, I forget). In the end, after probably over 100 taps, he just went crazy and smashed it all up. That's how it feels to me. Like you're completely out of control with it. And it's not a case of 'tap it 4 times', it'll be when your body tells you it's okay to stop tapping. It's one I'm seriously trying to fight and not let it become too much of a compulsion, but it is hard.

My sister was horrendous with the handwashing thing. I'm not so bad, but am after touching things like coins, and don't like anything being on my hands so if cooking, would end up washing them incessantly.

Jx

missprice

ooh just seen this thread and thought I HAVE TO share a little bit
As a child I was terribly OCD from the clothes I wore and what order they would go on to the cracks in the pavements and even how many traffic lights/traffic cones/street lights there would be between point a and b.
everything was counted and only even numbers would do or I would start again and make sure it came out even (including making a little extra half step if walking). when a teen early 20s it was locking the door have I turned off the sockets etc,
in my mid 20 I actually realise I was being insane and wasting my time to check the door 16 times before I could take the kids to nursery.
so I wrote down what I had done and referred to the list.
iron off - check - write down
taps off - check- write down
door locked - check -write down
etc and that way I actually got out of the house and eventually lost the list and kept in my head that I HAD done it.
now the only residual from that era is that I still absolutely cannot no way ever don't even ask me, I would cry if I tried and restart my whole day, put my socks and shoes on 'wrong'
it has to be right sock, left sock, right shoe, left shoe and no other way can be done. and if I deviate my whole day would be ruined:rotfl:

madget_2

hazyjo wrote: »

I think the OCD bit is determined by what you think will happen if you don't do it. Mine's not just a case of wanting matching pegs, or thinking things are more aesthetically balanced, it seriously affects my life. I think awful things are going to happen if I don't do them. The tapping one's the worst at the moment. I never used to really suffer with that. I remember seeing on that Whitechapel programme where the copper in charge (I think) had horrendous OCD and couldn't get out of his office as kept tapping the light switch (might have turned it on and off, I forget). In the end, after probably over 100 taps, he just went crazy and smashed it all up. That's how it feels to me. Like you're completely out of control with it. And it's not a case of 'tap it 4 times', it'll be when your body tells you it's okay to stop tapping. It's one I'm seriously trying to fight and not let it become too much of a compulsion, but it is hard.

Jx

I remember that in Whitechapel. I could hardly bear to watch it because it brought back memories.

Thankfully, mine seems to be under control now, although I do still get the urge to tap or touch things an even number of times.

Many years ago, when I first started with OCD, I remember not being able to go out of the house or go to bed or whatever unless I'd performed a certain ritual (such as tapping my feet in a certain order 44 times without any interruptions, otherwise I had to start all over again - which my husband thought was hilarious and used to sabotage to see how long I would keep it up but this was before we'd ever even heard of OCD).

Back then, I was utterly convinced that not performing my rituals properly meant that something really bad would happen, such as one of my family or friends dying. It felt as though I was directly responsible for their wellbeing and so I didn't dare stop. I knew that it seemed like a completely stupid and crazy thing to do, but I had to do it because I couldn't take the risk.

Gradually, I did start forcing myself to occasionally touch things an odd number of times. It was so incredibly difficult and frightening at first. However, I started to convince myself of the truth - that it wasn't possible for me to cause some kind of tragic disaster just by touching things once or three times.

I can also recognise in myself some other things other people have mentioned. List-making is essential for me, objects should be centred and in order, I love to alphabeticise things (even my spice rack! ) and I probably wash my hands way more than most other people.

Learning that I wasn't the only one with this kind of condition was such a relief. That helped immensely in itself.

I can really sympathise with any others who have it and am so lucky that it no longer rules my life.

raven83

jetplane wrote: »

I think many people have habits, obsessions, superstitions and certain traits and they need to have this type of order in their lives. I think the term OCD is bandied about to describe anyone who is uber organised or likes things done in a certain order.

Everyone comments on my desk at work, no matter which office I'm in. I know where everything is and if somethings been moved. My cupboards and drawers at home and work are organised and I know where everything is. People laugh when they say have you got such and such and I can tell them exactly which cupboard or drawer that it's in.

I like all of my black utensils in one drawer and if there is a white or stainless steel one in there I have to move it. if something is not in its place I will move it but I no longer become ill or unable to function if it is not done.

I think OCD differs in that the person is unable to cope without these rituals and when the order is not followed they become ill. It is difficult to explain how someone moving something or not being able to complete a task can actually bring you to the point where you can not breathe and need a paper bag. It works the other way also where you find that your rituals become more intense if you are upset.

Raven it took me a longtime to change my thought process I don't think you need to ignore your thoughts but maybe try to distract yourself with something else. Not one of your obsessions though :eek: I am definately a counter and arranger. Maybe writing down your thoughts will help you rationalise them. Don't let yourself become more anxious before asking your friends and family for help.

Yeah i am a counter too and i have to add numbers up all the time then make them into a single number if that makes any sense. I am a checker too and i can get obsessed with my thoughts and keep going over and over things in my mind. I have had it as long as i can remember, from a very young age i remeber having to check things and touch certain things. I can remeber being about 8 and having to go downstaires to check the oven wasnt on or the taps waere turned off, and if i went ut and had to lock the house i would have to do back and check constantly it was locked, then i would convince myself i had left something on, it can be exausting. Sometimes even now i find it hard to leave the house, usually because i worry the house will flood or burn down, or something bad will bed waiting for me when i return.

Birdy12

Four_leaf_clover wrote: »

I then drive to work and the volume on the radio has to be an even number. I actually feel twitchy if it is set on an odd number, especially 13.

Likewise. For me, the TV and car radio has to be on a even number. If OH sets the TV volume to, say 11, give it a couple of minutes and I'll grab the remote and change to 12 or 10.

I will also (more times than i care to admit ) get in the car, turn the engine on...and then turn it off again and go back inside the house to check on a window/door that I think I've left open/unlocked. To date, I have yet to find said window/door left open/unlocked :cool:.

Having said all that, I don't consider myself as having OCD, but rather that I have quirks. It doesn't impair my lifestyle to such a degree. Would the term OCD not kick in only if such quirks started to dominate my lifestyle whereby I couldn't function on a normal basis? Perhaps somebody who works within this field could give us their opinion.

picklepick

OCD differs from what I would call a personality trait, quirk or a certain likeness for the way things are, in that sufferers often feel that if they don't do their compulsions, they fear an adverse, mostly completely irrational, consequence.

For instance, in your example, if the TV isn't on volume 12, it's on 13, a non-sufferer would dislike this and change it to make themselves feel better out of preference. An OCD sufferer would fear that something awful is going to happen as consequence and have no choice but to change the number. Fears are often irrational, with no connection to the event. For example, they'll fear that they or someone they love will be hurt or die, their house will burn down, flood, etc.

Birdy12

picklepick wrote: »

OCD differs from what I would call a personality trait, quirk or a certain likeness for the way things are, in that sufferers often feel that if they don't do their compulsions, they fear an adverse, mostly completely irrational, consequence.

For instance, in your example, if the TV isn't on volume 12, it's on 13, a non-sufferer would dislike this and change it to make themselves feel better out of preference. An OCD sufferer would fear that something awful is going to happen as consequence and have no choice but to change the number. Fears are often irrational, with no connection to the event. For example, they'll fear that they or someone they love will be hurt or die, their house will burn down, flood, etc.

If I didn't change the volume or check on the doors or windows then I do think something horrible will happen. However, if it's not physically possible for me to change or check things then I get round it by, and it sounds nuts , by touching wood (or my head if there's no wood around) and saying under my breath 'touch wood it's not unlucky'.

I'm aware that I'm starting to sound like the young boy from The Middle...

rising_from_the_ashes

I have actually driven back home from work a couple of times as I've been sure I've left the electric heater / iron on .... of course, I know that I've checked I've unplugged them several times before leaving but .....

I have some similarities to Hazyjo and Pollycat but I am very lucky in that, as I said before, most are hidden so others aren't aware of them.

There are a few others that have now sprung to mind such always put my socks / shoes on the left foot first but I've been doing them so long it really is just second nature now.

Yes there is a difference between having rituals and liking things done a certain way and OCD ..... and if you think you've forgotten to do something "properly" then you are honestly sure that awful things will happen.

eg If I lose count when peeling a carrot, it will have to be binned as I couldn't eat it (as I'd get food poisoning) and if I put my sock / shoe on my right foot first, I wouldn't be able to drive or leave the house (as I will crash or be run over).

Now .... I know that is irrational and it's unlikely to happen but it will literally send me into a panic attack.

Picklepink that's really interesting about obsessing about crashes etc - I am absolutely fascinated by programmes like Aircraft Investigation and Seconds from Disaster etc as I find the investigations totally absorbing - I watch new ones and see if I can work out the reasons before we're told at the end!

picklepick

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Picklepink that's really interesting about obsessing about crashes etc - I am absolutely fascinated by programmes like Aircraft Investigation and Seconds from Disaster etc as I find the investigations totally absorbing - I watch new ones and see if I can work out the reasons before we're told at the end!

Ah that's great!! Well, it's not great in that way, but it's nice to know that I'm not the only one. My favourite website is 1001crash.com because it lists all the latest air crashes. All my friends text me if they spot a pending or reported missing plane, crash, etc. I got 3 yesterday when that plane went missing in Indonesia, but I'd already seen it on my twitter because I follow all the news agencies specifically for this reason. I don't think many people could say that they have a 'favourite air crash'. I realise I sound like a complete weirdo, but I really am quite normal on the outside!! Honest!! I also love ACI. I might watch one now actually...