ANY ADVICE ON OCD LONG I'AM A LONG TIME TERM SUFFERER

[lexi1906]

I'am a long term sufferer of OCD been living with it since i was very young i'am now 26 and in the past 5 year since i was told i had this condition i have been coming to terms with this disorder now i'am looking for others who have advice or just wish to disscuss it in general feel free to leave a meessage lexi

[lucky525]

I went to My psychiatrist with my OCDObsessive-compulsive disorder problem after your Suggestion.For 1 year I have been taking his prescribed medicines and by this my Obsessive-compulsive disorder remove somewhat extent, the medicines is continue but it rebacks after 2 or three months which affacts my mind and activities in rutine life.
now I am feeling so sad and Depressed  ,what can I do now ..please suggest me..
I have been taking these medicines:-
1. ParoxetineParoxetine
Paroxetine hydrochloride
Paroxetine hydrochloride er hydrochloride controlled release tabs ( PEXEP CR 25mg)
twice Twice-a-day.( day and night).
2. Fluvoxamine tablets BP 50mg ( Twice-a-day)
3. Clomipramine Hydrochloride 25 mg( night only) .


My previous Question :-
(Answered by Roger Gould, M.D.
, Sep 18, 2008 05:54PM )

Dear doctor,
I am 28 years old indian male,working as lecturer in a college.
I do Common compulsions include repetitive hand washing or such mental acts as repeat things to conform,Ritualistic behaviors,fear about future,loneliness...I feels I am crimnal and devil and God will punish me..
I know what i am doing is right but compulsively I check my work and things many times..
I lost my self-confidence...Plz help me..
All above symptoms degrade my confidence and ability to perform work.

Doctor's Answer

by Roger Gould, M.D.
, Sep 18, 2008 05:54PM
To: lucky 525
You are describing a well known, and very treatable condition,of obsessive compulsive disorder...you need to see a psychiatrist who can treat you with medication and talk therapy.

[castelfrontano]

Lexi.  You don't have to be young to experience OCD.  I am 68 and recall all of the OCD rituals and behaviors that began on or about age 6.  Mine was inherited.  My mother definately had OCD and a number of my cousins show various symptoms of this behavior.  Medication may help but in my opinion may cause other problems.  You are not crazy even though OCD behavior itself in not rational.  We have a tendency to become obsessive about a variety of things and we are compeled to act in a way that is not productive.  You will learn to live with it.  Try to catch yourself when you are compelled to commit an irrational behavior due to an obsession.  Better than medicine, if I had to do it over again, I would seek the help of a behavioral psychologist.  Psychiatry often means taking medications that can have side effects and may eventually not even work in time.  Talking to someone and understanding the behavior as non-psychotic is better than taking pills.  Please advise if you would like to discuss it further.  I have a lifetime of experiences.

[aej]

Re: OCD. I have it and my daughter has it....I really know I needed to find a way to stop or temper it when I saw her following in my footsteps. This may sound really strange but what worked for me was to create a personality in my head sort of a mental avitar. When I would start obsessing, she(her name is Jennifer), I have her talk to me, using rational reasons why I don't need to obsess, like I will obsess about being late, and I pull her out and she goes over all the reasons why I don't have to..Like, she will say, "first stop it..now why are you so worried about being late, what will happen if you are and you also know you an leave a little earlier etc. she always wins the argument :-). She is also good with compulsions, she will say (always) Stop it, now why are you doing that and what can you do to distract yourself, If I want to wash my hands a 2nd or 3rd time, she will have me do some writing, or some painting and then I can wash my hands once only because it is needed now..she will point out that see, that made you feel better not to give in to the compulsion (which it does) and put the hand washing in proper perspective. The more I do it the easier it is to do...NO, I do not hear voices or have an imaginary friend, it is like the voice of reason or the voice of before I started OCDing. It is a redirect method that works for me. Harder at first easier the more you do it.

[ocdisnotcool]

I am 26 as well.  I have been suffering from OCD since I was about 12.  My OCD takes different forms.  I had harm OCD for a while, when I was younger it is germs.  I sometimes feel that I am maintaining it, and other times feel like it totally has control over me.  I know I am stating the obvious, but it definitely spikes up during hard times, losing a friend, boyfriend problems etc...  

I have read a few books that help.  I would love to have someone to talk to OCD about in general who understands it.  My family, friends, and boyfriend try to be supportive but do not fully get it.  

Laura