I'm going insane!

rosie_78

hello xx
sounds awful for you.

do you mind me asking a few questions?

what medications are you on?

how long have you been on them?

you should be having medication reviews with a psychytrist rather than just GP putting them on repeat. It's not helpful having no reviews. xx

Some of the methods used by your previous therapists sound bloody stupid tbh, and dangerous.

Mindfulness is good for when you're anxious - lots of info on the internet (let me know if you need any links).

xx xx

sausageandbeans

marisco wrote: »

When you’re experiencing OCD thoughts and urges, have you tried shifting your attention to something else? If not then could you consider exercise, jogging, walking, listening to music, reading, surfing the web, playing a game, making a phone call or cooking? Find something to do that you enjoy for at least 15 minutes, in order to delay your response to the obsessive thought or compulsion.

At the end of the delaying period, reassess the urge. It may be that the urge will no longer be quite as intense. Try delaying for a longer period. The longer you can delay the urge, the more it will likely change.

I agree. This does help. I'm at my worst when my family are at school and my wife at work. Too much time to think and google symptoms and facts about how risky certain things are.

Like now I'm more relaxed. I feel safe. Kids in bed.My wife on the settee by me.

sausageandbeans

rosie_78 wrote: »

hello xx
sounds awful for you.

do you mind me asking a few questions?
Sure

what medications are you on?
Fluoxitine (Prozac) but have tried two other AD's including Citallipram

how long have you been on them?
2006-9
2010-11
2013 -

you should be having medication reviews with a psychytrist rather than just GP putting them on repeat. It's not helpful having no reviews. xx

I did have a mental health team call out a few years back when my GP thought I was at risk. They said I'd get help but when I said I wasn't going to commit suicide I was not referred.



Some of the methods used by your previous therapists sound bloody stupid tbh, and dangerous.

Mindfulness is good for when you're anxious - lots of info on the internet (let me know if you need any links).

xx xx

Thankyou for your support.

marisco_2

sausageandbeans wrote: »

I agree. This does help. I'm at my worst when my family are at school and my wife at work. Too much time to think and google symptoms and facts about how risky certain things are.

Like now I'm more relaxed. I feel safe. Kids in bed.My wife on the settee by me.

Feeling alone or socially isolated can aggravate your OCD symptoms. It’s important to have a network of family and friends you can turn to for help and support. Involving others in your treatment can help guard against setbacks and keep you motivated.

OP have you tried writing down your obsessive thoughts or worries? Keep a pad and pencil on you, or type on a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. When you begin to obsess, write down all your thoughts or compulsions. Keep writing as the OCD urges continue, and aim to record exactly what you're thinking, even if you’re repeating the same phrases or the same urges over and over. Writing it all down will help you see just how repetitive your obsessions are. Seeing the same phrase or urge in black and white numerous times could help it lose its power. Writing thoughts down is much harder work than simply thinking them, so your obsessive thoughts may lessen sooner.

Another idea is to practice relaxation techniques. While stress doesn’t cause OCD, a stressful event can trigger the onset of obsessive and compulsive behavior, and stress can often make obsessive-compulsive behaviour worse. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and other stress-relief techniques may help reduce the symptoms of anxiety you experience which are brought on by OCD.

sausageandbeans

marisco wrote: »

Feeling alone or socially isolated can aggravate your OCD symptoms. It’s important to have a network of family and friends you can turn to for help and support. Involving others in your treatment can help guard against setbacks and keep you motivated.

OP have you tried writing down your obsessive thoughts or worries? Keep a pad and pencil on you, or type on a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. When you begin to obsess, write down all your thoughts or compulsions. Keep writing as the OCD urges continue, and aim to record exactly what you're thinking, even if you’re repeating the same phrases or the same urges over and over. Writing it all down will help you see just how repetitive your obsessions are. Seeing the same phrase or urge in black and white numerous times could help it lose its power. Writing thoughts down is much harder work than simply thinking them, so your obsessive thoughts may lessen sooner.

Another idea is to practice relaxation techniques. While stress doesn’t cause OCD, a stressful event can trigger the onset of obsessive and compulsive behavior, and stress can often make obsessive-compulsive behaviour worse. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and other stress-relief techniques may help reduce the symptoms of anxiety you experience which are brought on by OCD.

Thanks for that. I agree with you.I was told that I had avoided too many situations rather than confront them. This only makes matters worse. A bit like you say with writing it down the more I'm telling OCD who's boss.

I have tried walking which clears the head but find if I keep myself busy that is best. However if whilst keeping busy I come across a fear it just gets a lot worse.

marisco_2

Do you have healthy eating habits? It is a good idea to start the day right with a good breakfast, and then continue with frequent small meals throughout the day. Going too long without eating leads to low blood sugar, which can make you feel more anxious. Carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables stabilize blood sugar and boost serotonin, which has calming effects.

It is understandable that your anxiety and worry is causing insomnia. However a lack of sleep can also exacerbate anxious thoughts and feelings. When you’re well rested, it’s much easier to keep your emotional balance, a key factor in coping with anxiety disorders such as OCD.

sausageandbeans

marisco wrote: »

Do you have healthy eating habits? It is a good idea to start the day right with a good breakfast, and then continue with frequent small meals throughout the day. Going too long without eating leads to low blood sugar, which can make you feel more anxious. Carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables stabilize blood sugar and boost serotonin, which has calming effects.

It is understandable that your anxiety and worry is causing insomnia. However a lack of sleep can also exacerbate anxious thoughts and feelings. When you’re well rested, it’s much easier to keep your emotional balance, a key factor in coping with anxiety disorders such as OCD.

Thankyou Marisco. You seem to know what your talking about. Serotonin is something I've been told about on a number of occasions. At the moment I'm getting it through medication and as my mood gets worse I usually get given a higher dose. But there are good foods out there that give the same as well as excercise.

I don't try hard enough on the excercise. I have breakfast and fruit and am on a diet.

meritaten

Mental health services are bad - but you need to get reviewed at least. badger your GP or contact the consultant direct.
tbh - you seem to have an awfully wide range of fears, most OCD patients fixate on just one.
I really think you need to see a psych again. especially as the meds don't seem to be helping.

sausageandbeans

meritaten wrote: »

Mental health services are bad - but you need to get reviewed at least. badger your GP or contact the consultant direct.
tbh - you seem to have an awfully wide range of fears, most OCD patients fixate on just one.
I really think you need to see a psych again. especially as the meds don't seem to be helping.

It is based on one though. Something I can't see.

Radiation
Germs
HIV
Illness inside
Asbestos

If none of the above existed I'd be fine.

I did get to see a therapist back in January but you are given 6 week slots. One hour a week and even then they have a clock to keep too because of the next appointment. The help isn't there. That's why I'm at my witts end.

I've never seen a psychiatrist. The only two people I saw were the outreach team who said that my doctor thought I was at risk and they had to do a report. As soon as I said I wasn't I never heard from them again. It seems as long as I'm not cutting my wrists or threatening to jump from a bridge there is no help there.

Brenny

I recently bought the Kindle version of "Introducing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. A Practical Guide by Elaine Foreman and Clair Pollard" to try and help my dgd who is on autistic spectrum. I think that someone who has the self awareness that you appear to have would find it very helpful.