I'm going insane!

LondonGal

I agree 100% with the above. If the professionals want you to read a book they will tell you (and often do). You may find that you have to push very hard indeed to get an appointment within a reasonable time frame depending on how things are round where you live.

The good news is the condition as you describe it can be helped substantially. 'All' you need to do is access the help to support you in learning how to live with it as best you can.

Pinzy

There is some great advice on here. It is so difficult to badger your doctor when your brain doesn't feel like being assertive, but just keep trying. With the NHS, you do have to push push push. It is sooo frustrating that if you appear capable of functioning well enough to live a life, then you're disregarded for treatment.

Distraction techniques are great - internet not always so much because as you've said, you can end up reading things that make it worse! A method I've discovered recently, when worried about an event, is to focus on the near future, specifically the time after the event has passed, when everything will be calm again. It seems to help.

I cannot shout enough about the importance of fruit, veg, exercise, sunshine (or even a SAD light box) and sleep. When I feel my mind slipping low, I up my intake of fruit/veg and it does help. When my mind is low, it succumbs to fears more easily, which means less rational thought. Fruit and veg help balance things in your head, exercise provides endorphins (a feel good thing) and sunlight stimulates seratonin. I find that if I have a raw carrot or two (carrot salad with raisins is a fave), the next day I'm guaranteed a more positive mood. Eating late makes your mind restless so interferes with sleep.

These things seem so simple, and I think that's often why they're ignored, because obviously they aren't going to fix it entirely. What it does do, is make your brain work better, so it's more rational, so day to day life is easier, and you're more capable of fighting for the bigger things that'll help even more.

I don't like that this post seems all about "I this" and "I that", but my own experience is all I can offer, and the rationale seems logical to me.

In recognising it, you are doing so well, and have more control than may be immediately obvious to you.

LondonGal

I think that's great Pinzy. All any of us can do is draw on our own experiences of this and share them in the hope the OP gets something out of them to help.

As I said earlier there is no quick panacea, it tends to be a slow, frustrating journey, but bit by bit you do progress and either overcome or learn to live as best you can with a condition.

There is a real and recognised problem in that the speed at which we move is not necessarily the speed others want or need us to move. This can lead to relationship issues and even breakdowns - it's a sad fact of mental illness. However, people that really love will stick with you and when you come out the other end you'll see this. It's hard, but living with mental illness is.

Pinzy

Saw this online a while ago and it really struck a chord. Whoever created this must help a lot of people.

sausageandbeans

Thanks for all the replies.

I wonder if somebody could help me with a question. As I've mentioned before I have OCD when it comes to dust/asbestos etc.

My ceiling has a belly in it and a plasterer has suggested he takes it off and reboards it. It is about 3 metres by 3 metres. However it has artex on and as many will know some of this stuff in the 70s and 80s had asbestos in it. Very small amounts of the less dangerous type.

I have always struggled with DIY because I'm scared of coming across it in tiles, wallpaper, pipes, bathroom panels, fascia boards, artex............the list in endless.

My wife says to just get on with it as it is in millions of homes and people get work done every day. It isn't being sanded down or anything. In fact it will come off on the boards mainly. She reckons it is my OCD. She said that even the government and HSE made this type of removal unlicensed and it isn't an issue - only in my mind.

Question is. Is this my OCD or am I being sensible? Appreciate your thoughts.

thorsoak

It is your OCD: get it done now and be done with it. It will be done in a day, as your wife says, the artex will adhere to the boards, so when they are taken down, they can be removed from the house straight away.

What I would suggest is that you strip your bed of bedding, store in another room. Cover the bed with a dust sheet that can be disposed of, cover bedroom furniture in the same way. Once the ceiling has been repaired, you can then vacuum thoroughly, remake the bed and that will be that. If you leave the ceiling as it is, it will cause you continual anxiety, and that surely, is what you wish to minimise.

If the removal itself will cause you anxiety, then take yourself and your family out whilst the plasterer deals with it.

Accept the fact that when the work is done it is going to cause you major panic, but once it is over, it will be over. One less worry. Stay strong!

sausageandbeans

Thanks it's hard to rationlise sometimes. Especially as some is bound to come off.

marisco_2

My advice is to hire a trades person who comes recommended to you. Someone who is rated for doing a careful and thorough job and who will tidy up properly. That may help you to feel more comfy and secure about having the work in your home done and to rationalise your fears.

paulineb_2

sausageandbeans wrote: »

Thanks it's hard to rationlise sometimes. Especially as some is bound to come off.

I think with your fears its probably past rationalising and you need specialist help to try and live with your condition.

Ive been in my flat 20 years, they are old flats and recently flooring was tested for low level asbestos. I didnt worry myself sick about that.

But if I had OCD Im sure I would have.

Im sure given the stuff youve posted elsewhere on the thread you'll know better than anyone that its professional support you need to try and deal with your issues and live a less stressful life.

Violetta_2

Sorry to drag this thread up again sausageandbeans but I read this & thought of your thread, it's a good article & shows you are not alone which can be helpful in itself, not sure you'll come back to this thread but I do hope you are ok http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/04/living-with-ocd-david-adam