Support for OCD sufferers!!!

[Capricorn]

Hi, I would be really interested in talking/meeting people who also suffer with OCD.

Mine is a combination of cleaning, checking and intrusive thoughts that create me loads of anxiety. There is an OCD Group which falls on the first Wednesday of the month at MIND, Buckingham Road in Brighton. I have yet to go as it's on at the same time as the BAF meet where I now feel really comfortable due to all the lovely people there.

If anybody would like to share their OCD experiences, how they cope I would be really grateful as some days are such a struggle. I really think it would help to meet people in the same boat, the isolation it creates is sometimes unbearable ...best regards...Eli

[Mattrix]

Hello. i have just joined the frum. I was also wondering what is available here in brighton for OCD sufferers?

[Noisy]

Hi Mattrix,
If you haven't already done so, your GP should be able to get you assessed and will know what NHS services they can refer you on to. There's always the private route if you feel that's right for you.

There's a group called OCD Action that has a regular meet in Brighton: http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/support-groups/south-east/brighton

[Capricorn]

I wondered if anybody with OCD battles with "scary, horrible" intrusive thoughts?

 I am working on the thoughts saying to myself they are only thoughts, not real or true and to do with my OCD, anxiety and self doubt, but sometimes they catch me unawares and scare me to death. They say the thoughts that scare you the most are usually when they are about someone or something you love or that is important to you. I have a beautiful son who is now 21 and who I love to bits yet ever since he was small (they don't happen so much now) I have had thoughts along the lines of..."what if I hurt him, horrible images,say something cruel, cruel words, didn't care if something bad happened etc etc" These thoughts literally can make me cry as in reality I am the opposite to these cruel things.

Now my son Matt is an adult I have sometimes talked about my OCD and about getting horrible thoughts, he is amazing...telling me just let them go they are rubbish, he told me I have always been a nice mum, we have a loving wonderful relationship. I know this sounds a bit crazy but it's like I have this little demon in my head trying to spoil any happiness I find, making me doubt myself and my thoughts. It really helps to type this out as sometimes it makes me feel a bit crazy.I am also hoping someone else may benefit from this as I now know that OCD isn't just about order, cleaning(which I also have) but it can cover loads of other things and many suffer this in sileence because they feel ashamed of it like I do.

I am doing a hell of a lot of self help work at the moment, exersise, diet, relaxation, writing, positive thinking because I have had this crap condition since 13 and I am 52 now and totally sick of it ruining my life. I will not let this beat me.

Thankyou for reading....Ellie

[stresspuppy]

WOW you are a yummy mummy! - you are a fantastic looking 52 :-D Sorry I can't really contribute to the OCD discussion but just wanted to give you a well deserved compliment cos I know you probably won't - unless you've made progress in that area? Affirmations first thing in the morning and last thing at night and at times during the day might help with bolstering yourself and giving yourself strength to carry on and perhaps challenging the intrusive thoughts you suffer. 

[Capricorn]

Oh Stresspuppy thankyou for the lovely compliment, made my day!!!!

I am doing a lot of positive affirmations at the moment and replacing a negative thought with a more realistic, pleasant thought, it does help. OCD catches you unawares and it's like you are on your guard waiting for the next onslaught of thoughts so it does create a lot of anxiety. I also do the cleaning rituals to stop the bad feelings from building up, it really is a catch 22 like a lot of these anxiety disorders and very exhausting. I find writing things down, challenging and exersising are really helpful coping tools and I am keeping active, focused and busy which also helps.

I hope to see you very soon and I hope you are doing okay....hugs Ellie x

[Alexandra]

I think I've probably told you before that I get intrusive thoughts too. They're violent and out of character and they were sometimes so bad I'd dissociate. But thankfully, over the past few months they've mostly stopped, because I went back to therapy and sorted a lot of stuff out and am generally more settled now.

Here are a few things:

Firstly know that thoughts are not the same as actions. And having a bad thought that you can't help does not make you a bad person.

Secondly know that they will gradually lessen as you work more on your mental health.

Thirdly, have a plan in place for if a thought takes you by surprise. So for example, if you frequently get thoughts about being a bad mother, maybe you could get a picture of your son to keep with you? And maybe it would be a good idea to get him to write a lovely note on the back. Keep it in your purse or somewhere accessible and look at it when you're getting the thoughts.

Fourthly know that you're not alone. Just google "OCD and violent thoughts" to see that.

And finally, my friend shared a link recently which you might find helpful. Here it is.

[Capricorn]

Thankyou Alex for sharing and helpful points about all this. It does help knowing I'm not alone and others suffer with this. The link did not get added on bottom of message but I will have a another look online as I know it happens to others with OCD.

I appreciate your reply and I hope you are doing okay.....Ellie x

[Alexandra]

I put the link in the text, it should come up of you click on the words "Here it is"

[Capricorn]

Thankyou Alex I have that OCD site on my pc and it does cover many aspects of OCD.

I was hoping maybe I could share this with others or help others on the Forum with this but I know a lot of people feel unable to share this personal stuff.

[JellyBean]

My adult son has ocd, and intrusive thoughts really trouble him daily. He will b 25yrs old this summer, and he was diagnosed wih it at aged 10yrs.
I'm his carer as well as his mum, and seeing him be tormented by his ocd is hell for me too. 
I know how awful it is. I use the ocd action forum as a carer, but there is very little support for carers.