OCD thoughts about home getting broken into

loulou123

I've suffered from OCD and anxiety for years, and have just literally realised its taken on a new form and I'm now obsessed we are going to be burglary victims...in the past I've been obsessed with all sorts but this is a new one.

Basicially whenever I leave the house, I'm worrying about it. This has been going on for about 6 months now, but up until a minute ago I thought I was being rational! I posted earlier this year as I was worried about going away for one night - but convinced myself then it was due to worrying about cat....

It's all come to ahead as going away for 2 nights tomorrow and I'm on verge of a panic attack about leaving. I nearly phoned hotel earlier to cancel booking, so we wouldn't be able to go! I want to go, I just don't want to leave flat. I know its irrational as I have never been broken into, and it could just as easily happen when we are at work etc.

We don't live in the best of areas, they is a lot of drug related crime and we are on the ground floor, but our flat is alarmed with door and window alarms and a proximity sensor, we have left contact details with neighbour in case of alarm going off and we have lights and radio on timer.

I'm still on medication, as my problem was so severe in past - OCD, anxiety, post traumatic stress and self harming, but have been ok for years.

Anyone got any advise on how I can calm myself and accept this is unlikely to happen - sorry for long post, just needed to get the feelings out.

Person_one

Have you ever had CBT as well as the medication?

I feel for you, it must be awful living with that constant stress. I know logic doesn't really come into it but with the level of security you have most burglars will just pass your flat and move onto an easier one.

loulou123

Person_one wrote: »

Have you ever had CBT as well as the medication?

I feel for you, it must be awful living with that constant stress. I know logic doesn't really come into it but with the level of security you have most burglars will just pass your flat and move onto an easier one.

I've had CBT, counselling, relaxation therapy etc, was under a psychiatrist for years, and I've been a lot better, until recently. Been under a fair amount of stress tho and I'm guessing that's triggered it again.

aileth

You seem to have something similar but opposite to me... I am petrified being in our house alone. We live in a not great area, and I have the worst nightmares of me sat on the sofa and someone just walking in the door and robbing me... I don't worry about the house at all when I'm out, but as soon as I get in I'm locking all the doors and the windows, and the slighest noise petrifies me. I know it's completely irrational but I can't stop!

Edwardia

No Panic https://www.nopanic.org.uk

Also get in touch with police on 101, ask to make an appointment with crime reduction officer, say you don't live in a great area, you're really worried and want to know if your security is good enough. If it is then you can keep telling yourself police say it's fine - if it's not, you'll be told how to improve it.

Fire_Fox

IMO go back to your doctor and ask for another course of CBT or counselling. Low dose beta blockers can be beneficial in getting rid of the physical symptoms of stress, even warding off panic attacks.

marisco_2

loulou123 wrote: »

We don't live in the best of areas, they is a lot of drug related crime and we are on the ground floor, but our flat is alarmed with door and window alarms and a proximity sensor, we have left contact details with neighbour in case of alarm going off and we have lights and radio on timer.

Do you have double glazing and window locks? Is the door a really sturdy one that has a good lock on it or one of those old fashioned glass types? Do you use nets or blinds at the windows so as any unsavoury types cant see in. Can you keep things like laptops or a computer out of sight of a window in a cupboard?

It sounds as if you are doing alot already to protect your property. Having good neighbours who will look out for anything unusual for you is a really good deterent for having any problems. Can you put a neighbourhood watch sticker in your window?

I have lived in 6 properties and only ever been burgled once. The house backed onto woods so we were vulnerable in as much as the burglars could get in and out without being seen. It sounds as if you are in a much busier area so it would make entering and leaving your property harder. Is there any way that a security system could be installed at the entrance to the block of flats so that residents needed a code to enter the building? Do you have friends or family nearby who could look after any really precious things for you that would devestate you if the worst happened and they were taken.

Any damage caused by a burglary could be claimed for on your household insurance if the worst were to happen.

belfastgirl23

I think the posts addressing your security concerns are very well meant but barking up the wrong tree. This isn't a rational fear. I'm not saying that there isn't something rational at the base of it but you've taken all reasonable steps to secure your home and what you're left with is an irrational fear. And believe me if anyone knows about irrational fears it's me no one else can help you with it, it's about your own thought processes.

Honestly I think you have to screw up all your nerve and go away. Accept that this will be hard. Accept that you will feel whatever you feel. But just do it. Use whatever you have to use - relaxation techniques, rescue remedy, distraction techniques etc. Do whatever you can to make it easy on yourself. But you have to do it. For you.

If you're anything like me the fear will come in waves, you'll be fine for a little while, then it will come back, then it will ease. So when you're in the grip of it, you have to try to keep in mind that this is just a feeling and it will pass.

Naming it as an irrational fear is an excellent first step and is probably the hardest step to take. Well done on that. Now you just have to keep going.

Just think how pleased with yourself you will be when you do this.

Good luck.