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Sound like OCD/Anxiety/Panic? Effective treatment?
Howdy all. I am new here and this is my first post. I think this site is rather interesting in that you can talk with people who share similar conditions. Here goes:
I am 26 years of age now and for as long as I can remember (even at 4 years of age), I have had recurring thoughts and perform actions based on these thoughts. Currently and since my teen years, I was obsessed with intruders, so I feel compelled to check all of my locks on my doors. I do this several times per day. I also frequently worry about my home burning down, so I check the knobs on my stove another few times throughout the day. I also wash my hands in scolding hot water (hottest temperature possible that the sink/water heater allows) after touching anything I classify as "dirty" (such as after petting my cat.) I do this after untwisting the bread tie and opening the plastic bag to acquire slices of bread as well and after I close it/before I eat my sandwich. I am obsessed with symmetry as well. Picture frames must be lined up perfectly on my walls. Evening up my sideburns while shaving consumes the majority of my time while performing this task too. I do not really count or anything, but I do favour what I deem as "lucky numbers" which includes 3, 7, 9, 13, 21, 27, 43, 47, and some variations of these numbers. I also repeatedly do things until it "feels right". For example, I will end a call on my cell phone after a conversation and even though I know the connection is no longer established with the other caller(s), I continually push the "end call" button until I feel satisfied. Weird, eh? =P
I have lived most of my life with this condition. I have learned to just cope with it. But since approximately 2003 (roughly the past 5 years), I began having extreme anxiety in market checkout lines when I felt sandwiched between strangers waiting in a seemingly endless line. Even though I may have been next in line, I felt the sudden urge to just get out of there acting like I may have forgotten an item just to be away from all the people. It got a bit worse at work one day when I had what I consider my first panic attack. I thought my heart was going to stop or something. I remember drinking cool water and getting some fresh air. That seemed to help. Humidity seems to trigger the shortness of breath too like in a hot shower or being stuck in a car on a highway on a hot summer day. I hear this is normal because people have a harder time breathing in the moist heat. But, my brain seems to interpret this as a critical situation and it sends me into panic mode. Sometimes, I focus on my breathing for days instead of just doing it without thinking and it makes it worse.
I now rarely ever leave my home. My wife does all of the shopping. I work from home and also attend college online. I only leave if I absolutely have to and my wife comes along. It has become a burden on my life and I worry about the time that I may have to find a new job that requires driving on the highway again and have me leaving the comfort/safety of my home. The only thing that seems to help overcome my social anxiety is alcoholic beverages. I can talk to people without fear.
Sorry for the long story. I just wanted you to get to know about what I have dealt/am dealing with and a little information about me prior to you providing any definitive answers. Basically, I want to know if cognitive behavioural therapy or hypnosis has been a help to anyone with these similar quirks and have tried these therapies. I really do not want to use drugs like SSRIs due to all of the side effects I hear about. But, if anyone has had any good or bad luck with these drugs, let me know too. I may eventually consider them if other members of this site find them effective for their condition.
Thank you much for taking the time out to read my novel and for any helpful replies. =)
I am 26 years of age now and for as long as I can remember (even at 4 years of age), I have had recurring thoughts and perform actions based on these thoughts. Currently and since my teen years, I was obsessed with intruders, so I feel compelled to check all of my locks on my doors. I do this several times per day. I also frequently worry about my home burning down, so I check the knobs on my stove another few times throughout the day. I also wash my hands in scolding hot water (hottest temperature possible that the sink/water heater allows) after touching anything I classify as "dirty" (such as after petting my cat.) I do this after untwisting the bread tie and opening the plastic bag to acquire slices of bread as well and after I close it/before I eat my sandwich. I am obsessed with symmetry as well. Picture frames must be lined up perfectly on my walls. Evening up my sideburns while shaving consumes the majority of my time while performing this task too. I do not really count or anything, but I do favour what I deem as "lucky numbers" which includes 3, 7, 9, 13, 21, 27, 43, 47, and some variations of these numbers. I also repeatedly do things until it "feels right". For example, I will end a call on my cell phone after a conversation and even though I know the connection is no longer established with the other caller(s), I continually push the "end call" button until I feel satisfied. Weird, eh? =P
I have lived most of my life with this condition. I have learned to just cope with it. But since approximately 2003 (roughly the past 5 years), I began having extreme anxiety in market checkout lines when I felt sandwiched between strangers waiting in a seemingly endless line. Even though I may have been next in line, I felt the sudden urge to just get out of there acting like I may have forgotten an item just to be away from all the people. It got a bit worse at work one day when I had what I consider my first panic attack. I thought my heart was going to stop or something. I remember drinking cool water and getting some fresh air. That seemed to help. Humidity seems to trigger the shortness of breath too like in a hot shower or being stuck in a car on a highway on a hot summer day. I hear this is normal because people have a harder time breathing in the moist heat. But, my brain seems to interpret this as a critical situation and it sends me into panic mode. Sometimes, I focus on my breathing for days instead of just doing it without thinking and it makes it worse.
I now rarely ever leave my home. My wife does all of the shopping. I work from home and also attend college online. I only leave if I absolutely have to and my wife comes along. It has become a burden on my life and I worry about the time that I may have to find a new job that requires driving on the highway again and have me leaving the comfort/safety of my home. The only thing that seems to help overcome my social anxiety is alcoholic beverages. I can talk to people without fear.
Sorry for the long story. I just wanted you to get to know about what I have dealt/am dealing with and a little information about me prior to you providing any definitive answers. Basically, I want to know if cognitive behavioural therapy or hypnosis has been a help to anyone with these similar quirks and have tried these therapies. I really do not want to use drugs like SSRIs due to all of the side effects I hear about. But, if anyone has had any good or bad luck with these drugs, let me know too. I may eventually consider them if other members of this site find them effective for their condition.
Thank you much for taking the time out to read my novel and for any helpful replies. =)
OMG we have so many things in common that we do. Wow! What do you do for it so far?
One thing is clear; You are off your rocker, 1 beer short of a six pack, a card short of a full deck. Do you hear me?! You need mental help. You're insane. OMGLOL! But insanity is fun. It makes life interesting.
Anyway, do you want to get together and bowl sometime? I also like mashed potatoes and pancakes. Let's walk in the cardboard box of a cloud out Monday downshine hit up no don't have a coronary LOL! WTF AM I DOING HERE? malign? holy ****, I am you! You are me. It is like looking into a mirror!
MODERATOR: DELETE THIS THREAD PRONTO!
Anyway, do you want to get together and bowl sometime? I also like mashed potatoes and pancakes. Let's walk in the cardboard box of a cloud out Monday downshine hit up no don't have a coronary LOL! WTF AM I DOING HERE? malign? holy ****, I am you! You are me. It is like looking into a mirror!
MODERATOR: DELETE THIS THREAD PRONTO!
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