Aa
Repetitive behaviors
Hi
I have a tendency to repeat certain behaviors. This can be extremely time-consuming and is enormously stressful (and embarrassing, and distressing, etc). The behaviors can cause bleeding, pain, infection and tardiness, etc.
Worse than the behaviors are thoughts that repeat themselves. There is a desperate need to continue behaviors until I have counted the right number or completed specific alphabetical sequences or it feels right.
I have previously been diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety (GAD, NOS) and bpd.
I have emotional difficulties regarding medication and I am generally non-compliant.
Over 12 months ago I was prescribed 30 mg of Buspirone but discontinued it due to debilitating fatigue.
I did decrease the dose but then it was said to be sub-clinical.
I'm not sure what my question is.
Treatment for this behavior?? A possible time-frame? Is it treatable?
I have been in therapy but are not currently. My previous T left the mhs last September.
I was told that one way to reduce the behavior was to do mindless activities mindfully. I think the behavior did decrease (I'm not sure why exactly: taking medication, mindfulness strategies, decreasing asthma medication and caffeine, ...??)
Is the anxiety causing this behavior the same as that for the pd?
My understanding is that part of that anxiety is created by un-integrated splits.
I am tired of this behavior affecting and dictating my life. I have been having strong suicidal thoughts and urges but they are possibly the cumulative affect of severe stress and other issues.
J
I have a tendency to repeat certain behaviors. This can be extremely time-consuming and is enormously stressful (and embarrassing, and distressing, etc). The behaviors can cause bleeding, pain, infection and tardiness, etc.
Worse than the behaviors are thoughts that repeat themselves. There is a desperate need to continue behaviors until I have counted the right number or completed specific alphabetical sequences or it feels right.
I have previously been diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety (GAD, NOS) and bpd.
I have emotional difficulties regarding medication and I am generally non-compliant.
Over 12 months ago I was prescribed 30 mg of Buspirone but discontinued it due to debilitating fatigue.
I did decrease the dose but then it was said to be sub-clinical.
I'm not sure what my question is.
Treatment for this behavior?? A possible time-frame? Is it treatable?
I have been in therapy but are not currently. My previous T left the mhs last September.
I was told that one way to reduce the behavior was to do mindless activities mindfully. I think the behavior did decrease (I'm not sure why exactly: taking medication, mindfulness strategies, decreasing asthma medication and caffeine, ...??)
Is the anxiety causing this behavior the same as that for the pd?
My understanding is that part of that anxiety is created by un-integrated splits.
I am tired of this behavior affecting and dictating my life. I have been having strong suicidal thoughts and urges but they are possibly the cumulative affect of severe stress and other issues.
J
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The question, "What am I really hungry for?" can be useful. Not just what food, but what on a deeper level. If you can feel things in your heart, you don't have to feel them in your refrigerator.
As to your services as my unhired and unpaid assistant, you are clearly bright, thoughtful, and have (unfortunately) great experience in the mental health realm. Most of your responses have been right on.
It is tricky as this is supposed to be an expert forum, not an open discussion, which is available in other sections.
Use your best judgement as to where the line is between adding a bit odd helpful information now and again and overdoing it.
tg
As to your services as my unhired and unpaid assistant, you are clearly bright, thoughtful, and have (unfortunately) great experience in the mental health realm. Most of your responses have been right on.
It is tricky as this is supposed to be an expert forum, not an open discussion, which is available in other sections.
Use your best judgement as to where the line is between adding a bit odd helpful information now and again and overdoing it.
tg
I was just wondering if you had any suggestions for breaking the cycle of compulsive over-eating?
I limited my caffeine intake with success but have had limited (no) success with food.
I have still been feeling uncontained and have been feeling increasingly suicidal again. I suppose I have been feeling stressed and trapped and overwhelmed.
I was just wondering if there was a good place to start to address the over-eating.
Sorry for responding to some of your posts too -I couldn't help myself. I don't like to see people rejected or drifting. Although that is only my perception and based on a lot of my own experiences. I trusted that you would answer posts when you were available to.
J
I limited my caffeine intake with success but have had limited (no) success with food.
I have still been feeling uncontained and have been feeling increasingly suicidal again. I suppose I have been feeling stressed and trapped and overwhelmed.
I was just wondering if there was a good place to start to address the over-eating.
Sorry for responding to some of your posts too -I couldn't help myself. I don't like to see people rejected or drifting. Although that is only my perception and based on a lot of my own experiences. I trusted that you would answer posts when you were available to.
J
Trauma, abuse, emotional pressure -> anxiety -> coping mechanism -> increased anxiety.
Just thinking aloud. That's the consequence of the consequence again. Increased anxiety through excess caffeine consumption, etc.
?Stealth antidepressant. Am I depressed? I was said to have severe chronic dysthymia.
In John Gunderson's book, Borderline Personality Disorder: A Clinical Guide, there is a table with the 'sequence and timetable for expectable changes in BPD during therapy.' Depression only turns to sadness in year five of therapy.
I think I probably feel tired from stress, anxiety, disturbed sleep, the effects of binge eating or restricting, etc so caffeine is used (?subconsciously) as a pick me up.
Depression can result from any one of those alone. So if I address my caffeine intake and sleep and diet, etc I will feel less depressed and have more energy.
Thanks for that feedback.
J
Just thinking aloud. That's the consequence of the consequence again. Increased anxiety through excess caffeine consumption, etc.
?Stealth antidepressant. Am I depressed? I was said to have severe chronic dysthymia.
In John Gunderson's book, Borderline Personality Disorder: A Clinical Guide, there is a table with the 'sequence and timetable for expectable changes in BPD during therapy.' Depression only turns to sadness in year five of therapy.
I think I probably feel tired from stress, anxiety, disturbed sleep, the effects of binge eating or restricting, etc so caffeine is used (?subconsciously) as a pick me up.
Depression can result from any one of those alone. So if I address my caffeine intake and sleep and diet, etc I will feel less depressed and have more energy.
Thanks for that feedback.
J
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Caffeine or any other speedy drug can definitely increase anxiety of any sort including performance or social anxiety. The anxiety can then trigger OCD symptoms, and/or trips to the bathroom.
People also sometimes use caffeine as a sort of stealth antidepressant.
tg
People also sometimes use caffeine as a sort of stealth antidepressant.
tg
My 'new' T was away today, so no therapy.
I have another question about ocd. This is very embarrassing for me.
Some of my repetitive behavior is about spending forever in the toilet. I felt this stemmed from severely over-training and subsequent asthma attack and asthma meds. That's not true. I felt it was the result of being hit by a car and being knocked off my bike and then being run over. Which happened several months after the asthma attack around the anniversary of my grandfather's death.
Anyway, I saw my GP today (and yes I did mention the skin stuff) and he said I was addicted to caffeine. He said I must be peeing a lot.
Caffeine can make one more anxious but how does that affect my behavior.
Is ocd (I should have asked him about diagnosis) the result of anxiety because of too much caffeine?
This particular repetitive behavior occurs particularly when I'm in social situations.
Performance anxiety?? And when I am about to exercise or compete.
If the physical need to go to the bathroom doesn't exist, then that would make it an emotionally induced event, and perhaps only mildly influenced by caffeine consumption??
I was just wondering about the influence the caffeine was having. Cause and effect.
It doesn't explain the underlying stuff though, does it?
J
I have another question about ocd. This is very embarrassing for me.
Some of my repetitive behavior is about spending forever in the toilet. I felt this stemmed from severely over-training and subsequent asthma attack and asthma meds. That's not true. I felt it was the result of being hit by a car and being knocked off my bike and then being run over. Which happened several months after the asthma attack around the anniversary of my grandfather's death.
Anyway, I saw my GP today (and yes I did mention the skin stuff) and he said I was addicted to caffeine. He said I must be peeing a lot.
Caffeine can make one more anxious but how does that affect my behavior.
Is ocd (I should have asked him about diagnosis) the result of anxiety because of too much caffeine?
This particular repetitive behavior occurs particularly when I'm in social situations.
Performance anxiety?? And when I am about to exercise or compete.
If the physical need to go to the bathroom doesn't exist, then that would make it an emotionally induced event, and perhaps only mildly influenced by caffeine consumption??
I was just wondering about the influence the caffeine was having. Cause and effect.
It doesn't explain the underlying stuff though, does it?
J
I get despondent because it feels like forever. With the right T, things feel achievable (even if they are difficult and challenge me).
You're right, a crisis is not the answer. I feel like I'm hanging in there, but not by very much. I'm tired and feel overwhelmed and just want everything to stop.
My GP (as well as MedHelp) is my support.
I feel I am fair to myself (if not the T). I think my last T provided a useful reference for me. Usually I would take full responsibility for a relationship not working but I understand now that relationships are/ can be extremely complex.
I'm not feeling very positive about the upcoming therapy. My first therapy session with him will be tomorrow. I'm not sure if comments about object relations and male T's will influence the therapy. (Meaning I think it might).
I have learned that crises provide a lot of information and provide opportunities for growth and development.
Thanks for your feedback.
J
You're right, a crisis is not the answer. I feel like I'm hanging in there, but not by very much. I'm tired and feel overwhelmed and just want everything to stop.
My GP (as well as MedHelp) is my support.
I feel I am fair to myself (if not the T). I think my last T provided a useful reference for me. Usually I would take full responsibility for a relationship not working but I understand now that relationships are/ can be extremely complex.
I'm not feeling very positive about the upcoming therapy. My first therapy session with him will be tomorrow. I'm not sure if comments about object relations and male T's will influence the therapy. (Meaning I think it might).
I have learned that crises provide a lot of information and provide opportunities for growth and development.
Thanks for your feedback.
J
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