Q.) Son, age 14, diagnosed with OCD since age 7. Has been under control until he hit puberty.
A.) At this young age, I would definitely see a counselor and schedule a doctors appointment to make sure that everything is fine. I would tell you to not let him do rituals and to not enable him to do rituals.
Q.) constant checking of marks on road, paths, walls etc. checking taps checking/worrying about cancer
A.) if you check something, say outloud that you've checked it and don't do it again for at least a half an hour, then resist for an hour and increase the time slowly.
Q.) I have ocd over blood diseases and std\\\'s. I feel like I can catch it from everything or anything. I worry over it all day everyday. email address
A.) There are some things that we cannot definitively control. You have done more than most people have to prevent these things. Sometimes you just have to let go and let God. If you don't give up control, your need for control will control you. If you let go of control and trust God, you will be free.
Q.) I am concerned about ocd and problems in my relationship. I seem to destroy every raltionship I am in because of jealousy, fear of being hurt etc. I also have ocd issues with everyday life, order, cleaning etc, but they do not cause me as much heartache email address
A.) When you are in a relationship, first be in one with someone that you trust. Don't do stalking behavior and don't go through his/her pockets and things looking for numbers. Just trust them knowing that the truth will come out. Do you really want to be with someone you have to keep tabs on? So if you don't display this behavior to yourself, your brain won't be thinking about it as intently and you can spend your time thinking about other things, such as your passion, which could be anything, helping children, swimming, skiiing, whatever! :-)
Q.) Dear Derek, very glad i have found this site!! I am 28 years old now and feel i should have got rid of thei problem earlier, as i have had from when i was young, but this is my problem in short, well hope its short enough!! I constantly regret almost everything i say cause i see the string of many outcomes of what is say, I end up try to reverse what i say, or say something to the person so that this string of unwanted outcomes do not come true!! but when i reverse it again i try to reverse it back! and sometimes keep doing this!I paranoid about the changes that might come out of what i say, that what I say will affect what they say to others and the outcomes of this, that they may affect me in a negative way!! I like to control everything. I can\\\'t tell anyone these negative thoughts because I would feel silly or embarrassed, selfish if i did! The thoughts always persist and reacurr again and again in my mind!! I always seek reassurance from others about what i\\\'ve said but i know if i told them all my thoughts that it would drive them mad!! its like i can\\\'t reassure myself for some reason!!This is very time consuming, and stressful as i spend days contemplating things and often end up staying in the house, cancelling any social things that i have, and find it hard to relax with my family, they don\\\'t know what is wrong with me. When one problem leaves another quickly arrives so i feel that i have not started living yet, when any issues are raised surrounding what i am thinking about come up , i link them to it, i get angry or feel threatened, fearful and even start throwing things around. also i\\\'m scared to give out too much of my contact information and if i do i regret it for ages!! for many reasons i am scared the person i give contact information might know a person i don\\\'t want to be in contact with!! I am scared that any member of my family/friends could bump into or work someone that i don\\\'t like or that has been mean to me in the past, and that they may acutally like them, and that i have to see them again!! that will really hurt!! I am indecisive about everything in my life also, ( as little aseven for example choosing a pasword or username),if i do make a decision, this is on nearly everything, i always think the opposite decision would have been better!! and spend ages asking i myself why i chose this decision, and what it would have like otherwise, for many reasons i am scared the person i give contact information I can never get rid of anything i own cause i think at sometime i will need it, I am also possesive over my valuables, even if i have five hats won\\\'t let sister wear one cause am scared she will lose it or ruin it!! If i lose something i have to turn my whole room upside down as i think it really important to me!! I don\\\'t like change cause i always think i might prefer it how it was before. I can often come across controlling to my family, i would hate my mum and dad to move house, but i also would hate them not moving house because of me, and then i think oh maybe i would like them to move. i don\\\'t like them talking about this I am only happy to out the house or join my family if i am in the perfect mindset, which very rarelly occurs. My family think i am self absorbed and think i want to have this problem, but i really really want to get rid of it as it is causing me a lot of distress, and it really is there i have always been like this since i was young cause i have never fully enjoyed anything i have done!! i find it hard to even go into detail with my problems with you casue they seem so small and unreasonable but for some reason i can\\\'t tell myself that and i wish i could!!! I very much see this as an obessive problem as the thoughts will always linger in my head, and i obsess over them all day!! i will probably feel after i send this that i have not even included enough in this email for you to deal with, but i reckon i have bored you already!! i always see other people as a lot more carefree and i just wish one day i could be like them. The reason i want help is not only be less stressed but also so i can give more to my family and so as i take a bigger part in this world. I would very much appreciate help!! thanks. email -
A.) The biggest problem here is your attempt to control everything in your life. You're going to control yourself into a tiny box at this rate. But...You don't have too! :-) You can let go of control and learn to trust that God made the universe and that He controls everything and everything happens for a reason. Spend more time thinking about what you want in your life instead of what you don't want.
Q.) I get thoughts that something is not ok with myyy face not cosmetically but in symmetry
A.) Abraham Lincoln had a disease that made his face contorted, that is why he had the thick beard, to hide it. If not, it would have been completely noticeable. If other people arn't telling you that your face not even then your face is even. Be happy, you've got an even face! :-) I know that you may think, "ya, but..." forget that. Wait till a doctor tells you it's not even before you come to any conclusions.
Q.) I suffer from mental rituals. Rituals that are based on axiety situations in the past, for example 2½ years ago. I can\\\\\\\'t forget these situations where I had magical OCD-thoughts - thoughts where I had the feeling that I could make somebody say something wrong, an error, typically on the telly. However, I know that I don\\\\\\\'t have telepathic abilities :-), so I start obsessing about what was said during the anxiety situation. I start asking myself questions like \\\\\\\"Why did he/she say what he/she did say?\\\\\\\"; \\\\\\\"Why did he/she not say that\\\\\\\" etc - and I find it odd. I start wondering about things that can be answered by the general answer: people make mistakes. \\\\\\\"errare humanum est\\\\\\\". Sometimes the answer can be easy, but I can\\\\\\\'t get it out of my head: The OCD tells me to think about this \\\\\\\"odd experience\\\\\\\" in the past over and over again. I never find the \\\\\\\"solution\\\\\\\", the answer of the questions or find peace in my mind. It\\\\\\\'s very hard for me to say: I don\\\\\\\'t care about what happened or what did not happen during my axiety experience in the past. The unsolved questions often causes swallow problems, so that I can\\\\\\\'t enjoy eating and drinking. In this way I punish myself. I hope you can follow my story. Thank you for this forum.
A.) OCD is a problem that is created and manufactured in your head so you cannot solve it. You cannot because your brain will always add to it and make it more difficult like a game with harder and harder levels. The answer to the OCD problem is to not try to figure it out, but to instead learn how to think about productive things like what your passion is and what you are going to eat for dinner and how you are going to make the world a better place.
Q.) im a muslim and i get thoughts like for example if i do a particular act i will not remain a muslim , for example silly things like if i drive i will no longer be a muslim, although i know these are silly thoughts but iam not able to control it i really get disturbed by it and am really vwry worried plz help me my email:
A.) Being a muslim is a choice, it's not something that comes and goes. No matter wherever you go or what you do, you can always choose to be a muslim.
Q.) Hi, I think i suffer with Pure OCD but im finding it very hard to get a proper diagnosis.My main problems are getting stuck on bad thoughts for hours and sometimes i get a fear that im losing my mind and it brings on an anxiety attack.Very scary when it\\\'s bad.
A.) If you don't distract yourself from this thought pattern when it happens, it will just get worse. Do anything you can, put on a movie, call a friend, pet your dog/cat. You don't have to sit there and dwell on thoughts you don't like. We cannot control the thoughts that pop into our heads, but we can control what we focus on. :-)
Q.) hi... my ocd include performing rituals repeatedly fear of causing harm to others plz kindly give me suggestions to overcome it i wud be greatful to u my mail id is
A.) If you are worried that you going to harm someone, the chances that you would actually do it are slim to none. We all have thoughts that disturb us, it's just how we react to them that make the difference whether they bother us or not. Stop reacting out of fear, just because you think of something that does not mean that it's going to happen. Have you ever thought about sleeping with someone but never did it? Just because you had the thought, it does not mean that you would do it, thoughts and actions are completely seperate.
Q.) Hi, I have been told that I have several chemical imbalances, ocd adhd anxiety depression bipolar etc. I am sick of it. I\\\'m tired of the meds. I just don\\\'t believe God created me to suffer and have many chemical imbalances in my mind that he made. I take Vyvanse, celexa, klonopin. Not to mention all the other drugs they have tried me on and all the other meds I take for pain that is supposedly caused by fibromyalgia. Funny thing is I had not smoked in 8 years and after starting Vyvanse for adhd 1 year ago I have become a chain smoker and very impulsive, isn\\\'t that the opposite of what this med should do for you? I want to quit it all but I get this drive in me that won\\\'t leave me alone until I give in, I have also had other addiction problems in the past is this normal for ocd?
A.) Yes it is, I tried self medicating myself, it's only when I got off the drugs that I could actually beat it. Drugs just drug you up and mask the problem, it's still there. We really don't have a miracle cure yet, you actually still have to "work through" your habits of OCD. People absolutely hate doing any kind of mental work and would rather be drugged up than put any effort in. You are one of the rare people that will actually become OCD free as long as you continue with perseverance and patience. I would talk to your doctor about reducing your medications and weaning you off one at a time while sumultaneously working on the mental side of things with someone.
Q.) My name is. I live in Danmark and have Ocd- only Obessions since I was 30 years. Now I am 44- so many years. Because I \\\"only\\\" have Obessions - I doesent now how your program can work for me ( help me) ? What du you think? Please answer me? Thank you very much. I,m not soo good to english så please forgive me. email adress:
A.) My program has helped thousands of people all around the world to take back control of their own minds. Most people that buy my program never even get through the whole thing and never apply it. The few that actually do something with it and are patient and persistent succeed and they never again will have to suffer from OCD.
Q.) I am doing alot better, but I am often convinced that I am hitting cars, poles, mailboxes, etc. when driving. I also have to check locks 3x or I panic and I have to unplug appliances, etc. I have tried to quit smoking several times with little to no success. I am trying to determine if my OCD is making it more difficult to quit since I don\\\'t actually crave the nicotine but the action that goes with the smoking and I have an almost fear of quitting.
A.) Our brain fears change just because with the unknown comes potential danger and your brain is all about protecting you. Sometimes however, this response does not fit and can cause things like OCD behavior and habits. Each day you should do one thing that makes you scared such as checking the lock only once. Tell yourself that you won't check it for another ten minutes and let your body actually face the anxiety. Facing a fear is the only way to beat one. I was scared to go on an airplane until I actually went on one. No amount of talking or medication would help this, I actually had to face it by doing it.
Q.) i have a problem standing up for myself, i don\\\'t allow myself to feel the not so nice feeling such as anger and frustration and as a result people have stepped all over me i am afraid of my anger but am sick and tired of bottling up all the frustration, i need to be able to express myself freely, the fear paralyze me, i need help.
A.) My favorite quote from the movie vanilla sky says, "Every minute is a chance to turn it all around." Today, stand up for yourself, just today. Then tomorrow, if you dare, tell yourself the same phrase, "today, just today, stand up for myself."
Q.) A constant thought of dying, what will happen, when will it happen, knowing that everything i know will be gone, the unknown. Used to just be at night, now all through the day aswell, find it real hard to distract myself from the thoughts. BUt continuing to think about it makes me anxious, panicky, not sleeping, failing uni etc
A.) We cannot control when we die. We all will die. It's part of life. Don't spend the time you are alive worrying about the extremely short time it will take for you to actually die. Instead while you are alive, live! Write down some things that you've always wanted to do, then do them! :-)
Q.) I feel repulsed to touch anything that has come in contact with my grandfather(who died 9 yrs ago)after seeing him masturbate obsessively. This includes things that have toouched things that come from the house, and people who have touched something that touched something else etc!This is really not good for me as I cant even touch my mother or any things in her possesion, it makes me feel frozen and contaminated. Id be so grateful if you could give an opinion on this!Thanks
A.) Your mother bathes and cleans her clothes, anything that may have been on her is gone. You cannot know or prove whether something is or isn't on anything you touch, "what if you are worried about something on your mom and there was nothing the whole time?"
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Question below!
i like to walk to try and get rid of thoughts, can this really work if done regually also cycling, does that work? Does listening to music whilst walking or cycling make a difference?
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to have more energy and health. I think listening to music is great. Listen to whatever makes you feel good. Make sure that you can hear oncoming traffic!~
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to have more energy and health. I think listening to music is great. Listen to whatever makes you feel good. Make sure that you can hear oncoming traffic!~
Monday, December 8, 2008
35 questions below which will be answered throughout this week!
Q.)How do you have a productive life with OCD?
A.)By defeating it with mental tools.
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Q.)How do I stop Intrusive thoughts? Is it possible to NOT have them all together?
A.)Everyone has intrusive thoughts, people without OCD don't take them seriously to the point of anxiety.
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Q.)how to make the unwanted images stop
A.)Don't fight them, the thought you resist persists
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Q.)I have OCD and wash my hands all the time till my skin get harsh, then I hold or open doors with my little finger now does this develop to a problem of organising events, stressing and then screaming?
A.) OCD can penetrate everything we do. When we train our brains to use rituals to deal with situations, we start to rely on them to relieve anxiety instead of simply accepting that we cannot control the world around us.
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Q.)does this OCD behavior of washing hands and holding doors with the little fingers develop to and affect organisational behavior (stressing in planning events and organising work)?
A.)Yes. See how long you can go without doing this ritual and this will help you to get used to the anxiety.
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Q.)I get afraid that I won\\\'t be able to forget something. My brain just repeats what I want to forget over and over. Can you explain why please?
A.)When we fight a thought, we are focusing on it. You need to distract your mind. An idle mind is OCD's playground.
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Q.)My boyfriend is OCD and refuses to go to therapy he is convinced they will put him on meds and he says he will not do it again. He is convinced that he will fix it himself. I feel he is ruining our relationship with all of his expectations, and the rules he wants me to follow. He says that I don’t care about his sanity, but he fails to see that for seven years I have done my best to follow the “program”. I am always given hypothetical examples from him, “If I was diabetic you wouldn’t give me candy. Please just do what I asked you to do.” I have stayed with him because I love him but I am coming to the end of my rope. He tells me that it is me, that I am to lacks, oblivious, I don’t think clearly, because I don’t think like him I am wrong. How can I help him so that we can fix our relationship?
A.)You've got to put your foot down and tell him that you love him but that you're not going to help him do rituals anymore and that you're not going to do rituals anymore. Tell him that you'll talk to him about it and be there emotionally, but that it's getting to the point where you may have to leave him if he's not willing to work with you. He has to care about your happiness too.
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Q.)why i feel almost everyone out there is trying to harm me in anyway like doing bad wishes for me/by casting spell/blak magick etc. especialy if some one is starring at me or touching me somewhere what should i do plz tell me how to handle this thing
A.)You need to give these people the benefit of the doubt. What if they are not doing black magic? Is it cool to think that they are? That's not fair to them.
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Q.)I am suffering from Religious OCD. How to overcome it ?
A.)Know that even if we have bad thoughts all day, God still loves us and still died for us. When you refuse to do the ritual, ask God for strength and give it your all and He will deliver in His time. Ask him what He wants you to learn out of this. I learned tons!
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Q.)I beileve some parts of Ocd I may have but Im trying to figure out if there is somehtings else going on. the ocd or whatever it is triggers bad when someone mentions soemthing verbally that I dont want to hear or when seeing somehting that reminds me of a bad memory that I need to get out of my head. its a battle between good vs evil I want the good and to get out the bad i have some rituals or I just get nervous. its a feeling like getting your hand dirty but instead its getting my thoughts dirty...not in a bad way just like I cant figure out why. whats goig on
A.)You need to use a technique called diversion, where when you have an OCD thought, you need to think about something that is complicated, like doing math problems in yoru head or trying to think of a way to make a lot of money. This is just one of many tools, but in your case I think it's the best answer. Also, don't fight the thought, just let it happen as you think about other things.
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Q.)i can\\\\\\\'t get normal things done because of obsessive behaviors;cleaning, searching a subject (relevent or irrelevent). how can this stop?
A.) You need to say to yourself, "STOP!" "I don't care what happens, I need to focus on the things I need to do and not waste my time with this!" "I choose to control my thoughts and not the other way around!"
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Q.)What if I don\\\'t have OCD and I am wasting the doctor\\\'s time?
A.)The doctor will tell you whether you have OCD or not.
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Q.)Why is it that most if not all Doctors believe OCD is a chemical embalance in the brain. This could not be further from the truth. Ocd causes the embalance not the other way round, and OCD is a natural consequence of general anxiety which causes the brain to repeat tasks that it is unsure have already been performed. Ocd GAD PTSD Etc are all caused by the one thing. A heightened CNS like a switch that has been turned up and wont come down. Emotional releasing by continual acceptance of this condition with eventually dissolve it. I treat people everday and without exception they all respond. A total cure is a reality not just a controlling of the condition but a total cure.
A.) Interesting comment!
Q.)My son feels the need to pray after each \\\\\\\"bad word \\\\\\\" that enters his thoughts uncontrollably in order to ask God\\\\\\\'s forgiveness. I feel this ony adds to the repetition and ritual ,so I told him that God understands that he isn\\\\\\\'t doing it on purpose and that he doesn\\\\\\\'t need to feel guilty or pray every time it happens. Is this a good idea?
A.) You are doing the right thing! Keep it up! My sister did this with her son and it has worked.
Q.)What is the real cause of OCD? What is really happening/malfunctioning, and how do you overcome or correct what is wrong in the brain?
A.) It's just a coping mechanism and an attempt to control things. Tell yourself, "I don't care, I'll let go and let God!" Let God control the world around you, you can't even if you wanted to anyway!
Q.)fear of being gay
A.) You worded this perfectly, it's just a fear, fear doesn't exist, you can't touch it, smell it, hear it, look at it, etc.
Q.)what made you realize that your ocd was officially out of your life and you felt \\\"normal\\\" again??
A.) When I could quickly dispell any OCD thought without feeling the need to do a ritual. Over time you get less and less OCD thoughts so you have to use your tools less and less.
Q.)I find it impossible to let go of my worries. I realise that until I resist my obsessions they will never go away but my obsessions can last days not hours and I am too frightened to resist them
A.) Don't look at them as having to stop them for good. Set small goals for yourself of resisting your rituals. Say, "I'm going to go ten seconds without performing this ritual!" Then keep gradually increasing your goal. The more you do this, the better you will be.
Q.)Is OCD treatable with out Medicines?
A.) yes!
Q.)how do i know if im lying to myself to make things... alright? im sure this has been asked many times :)
A.) lying to yourself is a good thing! Especially to dispell thoughts that are lying to you telling you have to worry when you don't really have to.
Q.)Will I ever be able to get rid of this disorder? Will I ever be normal?
A.) yes, you just need to do the work it takes, which is described in many of the other questions asked on this blog!
Q.)Why do I feel that something bad is going to happen or someone is going to think something bad of me if I don\\\'t do one of my rituals?
A.) It's just a fear, in order to get rid of this, tell yourself that you don't care and then do what you told yourself.
Q.)What can I do about panic attacks combined with my OCD?
A.) panic attacks drive your OCD. you need to face your anxiety by refusing to do a ritual as long as you can, expose yourself to something enough and your fear of it will go down, it's inevitable.
Q.)does OCD impair memory, it feels like im thinking in my head so much that i am oblivious to the world around me.
A.) yes, if you keep worrying about something, your mind will be thinking about that then what you are supposed to be focusing on.
Q.)My OCD has gotten worse since my separation with my husband of 10 years. Is stress normal for enhacing OCD?
A.) yes, it drives OCD. whatever you did when you were with your husband in your mind, you can do the same thing, you may be way better off now and are free and find the joy in your situation!
Q.)How likely is it that I will \\\"pass on\\\" my OCD to my children?
A.)Get rid of your OCD so that they don't see you doing rituals, children do what we do more than what we say.
Q.)why did i start becoming ocd to where i went on ssi and ss because i didn\\\'t work at one place before going to a new place right at age 18 and the events from my life at the time ,those events are when i started acting the way i act?thanks
A.) OCD is caused by anxiety, a change that is perceived as major in our lives causes higher stress levels.
Q.)Are there any natural foods that have been proven to decrease obsessions and compulsions?
A.) Make sure that you get your daily dose of vitamins and enough rest. If your brain cells can function at their best, you're battle against OCD will be much easier!
Q.)How best to deal with the pent-up frustration and anger from doing rituals for many years before seeking treatment?
A.) Let out your frustrations in healthy ways, like exercise! meditation and art, etc!
Q.)Are there any things i can do each day to get rid of my OCD
A.) See how long you can go without doing your ritual, beat your goal each day!
Q.)Is it actually possible to get over OCD or can it just be kept manageable?
A.) yes, and yes, it's your choice, depending on what you will allow yourself to believe.
Q.)How can I get rid of OCD
A.) see other posts below and above!
Q.)how to stop it?
A.) Say "STOP!" to the chatterbox in your head. Tell it what to do, not the other way around.
Q.)Is OCD an opposition/rejection of God in an attempt to control our outcomes favorably? Can OCD be cured by complete faith in one\\\'s higher power or atleast, the rejection that evil/outside forces have power over our freedom? It seems to have a connection to spirituality/faith and fear/control.
A.) OCD can be cured with faith in God regardless of what anyone else tells you. If they don't choose to believe, that's their loss.
Q.)pulling out my eyebrows
A.) Write down the pros and cons of doing this.
A.)By defeating it with mental tools.
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Q.)How do I stop Intrusive thoughts? Is it possible to NOT have them all together?
A.)Everyone has intrusive thoughts, people without OCD don't take them seriously to the point of anxiety.
***********************************************************************************
Q.)how to make the unwanted images stop
A.)Don't fight them, the thought you resist persists
***********************************************************************************
Q.)I have OCD and wash my hands all the time till my skin get harsh, then I hold or open doors with my little finger now does this develop to a problem of organising events, stressing and then screaming?
A.) OCD can penetrate everything we do. When we train our brains to use rituals to deal with situations, we start to rely on them to relieve anxiety instead of simply accepting that we cannot control the world around us.
***********************************************************************************
Q.)does this OCD behavior of washing hands and holding doors with the little fingers develop to and affect organisational behavior (stressing in planning events and organising work)?
A.)Yes. See how long you can go without doing this ritual and this will help you to get used to the anxiety.
**********************************************************************************
Q.)I get afraid that I won\\\'t be able to forget something. My brain just repeats what I want to forget over and over. Can you explain why please?
A.)When we fight a thought, we are focusing on it. You need to distract your mind. An idle mind is OCD's playground.
*********************************************************************************
Q.)My boyfriend is OCD and refuses to go to therapy he is convinced they will put him on meds and he says he will not do it again. He is convinced that he will fix it himself. I feel he is ruining our relationship with all of his expectations, and the rules he wants me to follow. He says that I don’t care about his sanity, but he fails to see that for seven years I have done my best to follow the “program”. I am always given hypothetical examples from him, “If I was diabetic you wouldn’t give me candy. Please just do what I asked you to do.” I have stayed with him because I love him but I am coming to the end of my rope. He tells me that it is me, that I am to lacks, oblivious, I don’t think clearly, because I don’t think like him I am wrong. How can I help him so that we can fix our relationship?
A.)You've got to put your foot down and tell him that you love him but that you're not going to help him do rituals anymore and that you're not going to do rituals anymore. Tell him that you'll talk to him about it and be there emotionally, but that it's getting to the point where you may have to leave him if he's not willing to work with you. He has to care about your happiness too.
***********************************************************************************
Q.)why i feel almost everyone out there is trying to harm me in anyway like doing bad wishes for me/by casting spell/blak magick etc. especialy if some one is starring at me or touching me somewhere what should i do plz tell me how to handle this thing
A.)You need to give these people the benefit of the doubt. What if they are not doing black magic? Is it cool to think that they are? That's not fair to them.
***********************************************************************************
Q.)I am suffering from Religious OCD. How to overcome it ?
A.)Know that even if we have bad thoughts all day, God still loves us and still died for us. When you refuse to do the ritual, ask God for strength and give it your all and He will deliver in His time. Ask him what He wants you to learn out of this. I learned tons!
***********************************************************************************
Q.)I beileve some parts of Ocd I may have but Im trying to figure out if there is somehtings else going on. the ocd or whatever it is triggers bad when someone mentions soemthing verbally that I dont want to hear or when seeing somehting that reminds me of a bad memory that I need to get out of my head. its a battle between good vs evil I want the good and to get out the bad i have some rituals or I just get nervous. its a feeling like getting your hand dirty but instead its getting my thoughts dirty...not in a bad way just like I cant figure out why. whats goig on
A.)You need to use a technique called diversion, where when you have an OCD thought, you need to think about something that is complicated, like doing math problems in yoru head or trying to think of a way to make a lot of money. This is just one of many tools, but in your case I think it's the best answer. Also, don't fight the thought, just let it happen as you think about other things.
************************************************************************************
Q.)i can\\\\\\\'t get normal things done because of obsessive behaviors;cleaning, searching a subject (relevent or irrelevent). how can this stop?
A.) You need to say to yourself, "STOP!" "I don't care what happens, I need to focus on the things I need to do and not waste my time with this!" "I choose to control my thoughts and not the other way around!"
************************************************************************************
Q.)What if I don\\\'t have OCD and I am wasting the doctor\\\'s time?
A.)The doctor will tell you whether you have OCD or not.
***********************************************************************************
Q.)Why is it that most if not all Doctors believe OCD is a chemical embalance in the brain. This could not be further from the truth. Ocd causes the embalance not the other way round, and OCD is a natural consequence of general anxiety which causes the brain to repeat tasks that it is unsure have already been performed. Ocd GAD PTSD Etc are all caused by the one thing. A heightened CNS like a switch that has been turned up and wont come down. Emotional releasing by continual acceptance of this condition with eventually dissolve it. I treat people everday and without exception they all respond. A total cure is a reality not just a controlling of the condition but a total cure.
A.) Interesting comment!
Q.)My son feels the need to pray after each \\\\\\\"bad word \\\\\\\" that enters his thoughts uncontrollably in order to ask God\\\\\\\'s forgiveness. I feel this ony adds to the repetition and ritual ,so I told him that God understands that he isn\\\\\\\'t doing it on purpose and that he doesn\\\\\\\'t need to feel guilty or pray every time it happens. Is this a good idea?
A.) You are doing the right thing! Keep it up! My sister did this with her son and it has worked.
Q.)What is the real cause of OCD? What is really happening/malfunctioning, and how do you overcome or correct what is wrong in the brain?
A.) It's just a coping mechanism and an attempt to control things. Tell yourself, "I don't care, I'll let go and let God!" Let God control the world around you, you can't even if you wanted to anyway!
Q.)fear of being gay
A.) You worded this perfectly, it's just a fear, fear doesn't exist, you can't touch it, smell it, hear it, look at it, etc.
Q.)what made you realize that your ocd was officially out of your life and you felt \\\"normal\\\" again??
A.) When I could quickly dispell any OCD thought without feeling the need to do a ritual. Over time you get less and less OCD thoughts so you have to use your tools less and less.
Q.)I find it impossible to let go of my worries. I realise that until I resist my obsessions they will never go away but my obsessions can last days not hours and I am too frightened to resist them
A.) Don't look at them as having to stop them for good. Set small goals for yourself of resisting your rituals. Say, "I'm going to go ten seconds without performing this ritual!" Then keep gradually increasing your goal. The more you do this, the better you will be.
Q.)Is OCD treatable with out Medicines?
A.) yes!
Q.)how do i know if im lying to myself to make things... alright? im sure this has been asked many times :)
A.) lying to yourself is a good thing! Especially to dispell thoughts that are lying to you telling you have to worry when you don't really have to.
Q.)Will I ever be able to get rid of this disorder? Will I ever be normal?
A.) yes, you just need to do the work it takes, which is described in many of the other questions asked on this blog!
Q.)Why do I feel that something bad is going to happen or someone is going to think something bad of me if I don\\\'t do one of my rituals?
A.) It's just a fear, in order to get rid of this, tell yourself that you don't care and then do what you told yourself.
Q.)What can I do about panic attacks combined with my OCD?
A.) panic attacks drive your OCD. you need to face your anxiety by refusing to do a ritual as long as you can, expose yourself to something enough and your fear of it will go down, it's inevitable.
Q.)does OCD impair memory, it feels like im thinking in my head so much that i am oblivious to the world around me.
A.) yes, if you keep worrying about something, your mind will be thinking about that then what you are supposed to be focusing on.
Q.)My OCD has gotten worse since my separation with my husband of 10 years. Is stress normal for enhacing OCD?
A.) yes, it drives OCD. whatever you did when you were with your husband in your mind, you can do the same thing, you may be way better off now and are free and find the joy in your situation!
Q.)How likely is it that I will \\\"pass on\\\" my OCD to my children?
A.)Get rid of your OCD so that they don't see you doing rituals, children do what we do more than what we say.
Q.)why did i start becoming ocd to where i went on ssi and ss because i didn\\\'t work at one place before going to a new place right at age 18 and the events from my life at the time ,those events are when i started acting the way i act?thanks
A.) OCD is caused by anxiety, a change that is perceived as major in our lives causes higher stress levels.
Q.)Are there any natural foods that have been proven to decrease obsessions and compulsions?
A.) Make sure that you get your daily dose of vitamins and enough rest. If your brain cells can function at their best, you're battle against OCD will be much easier!
Q.)How best to deal with the pent-up frustration and anger from doing rituals for many years before seeking treatment?
A.) Let out your frustrations in healthy ways, like exercise! meditation and art, etc!
Q.)Are there any things i can do each day to get rid of my OCD
A.) See how long you can go without doing your ritual, beat your goal each day!
Q.)Is it actually possible to get over OCD or can it just be kept manageable?
A.) yes, and yes, it's your choice, depending on what you will allow yourself to believe.
Q.)How can I get rid of OCD
A.) see other posts below and above!
Q.)how to stop it?
A.) Say "STOP!" to the chatterbox in your head. Tell it what to do, not the other way around.
Q.)Is OCD an opposition/rejection of God in an attempt to control our outcomes favorably? Can OCD be cured by complete faith in one\\\'s higher power or atleast, the rejection that evil/outside forces have power over our freedom? It seems to have a connection to spirituality/faith and fear/control.
A.) OCD can be cured with faith in God regardless of what anyone else tells you. If they don't choose to believe, that's their loss.
Q.)pulling out my eyebrows
A.) Write down the pros and cons of doing this.
Q.) Why am I afraid of commitment?
A.) With some people, anything that seems final brings about fear in someone with OCD. It's the loss of control or perceived loss of control that brings about the fear. Let go of control and you'll drop the fear that's attached to it.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Question below!
Q.) My 15 year old daughter is suffering from what I believe is OCD. What is the best way to get her to agree to seek help for this, and get her willing to read more on this, so we can put an end to all her rituals that seem to be distracting her from having fun and enjoying her life. Sincerely Helene & Jim Famularo
A.) The best way for someone to be motivated enough is for them to feel that there is more pain in having OCD than facing it. She probably deals with it by avoiding facing it. The post under this one will explain more on what she can do.
A.) The best way for someone to be motivated enough is for them to feel that there is more pain in having OCD than facing it. She probably deals with it by avoiding facing it. The post under this one will explain more on what she can do.
Question below!
I am the mother of a 19 year old dealing with OCD and and eating disorder. Your questions and statements are kone\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s we would find most valuable answered. How to figure out what triggered your OCD in the 1st place. This seems like it would be valuable in knowing yourself so you can work on making chnages for REAL CURE. We\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'d love to have you help us with this. Thank You Rhe difference between what most people think OCD to be and what it really is. My son has been prescribed PRozac for OCD and an Eating Disorder. He is a very gifted cross country runner. While taking this prozac his competetive spirit was gone. When he quit taking it he started achieving ingredible times again. He said he could tell the difference. He said he felt more like himself after he went off it. We know it takes work but there is no one where we live that even wants to do the work with someone willing and wanting it. All they want to do is give out medication. I saw a show on MTV a few years ago where a Phsychiatrist worked with 2 different patients for 15 days with exposure therapy and had incredible lasting results for these young people. We are interested in finding out answers to your topics.
A.) Your OCD originates in fear. Honestly, you don't need to know how it all started to cure it. You can turn on and off a light switch without knowing a thing about electricity or switches. Sometimes people even bump into a switch and the light will turn on and they won't make the connection. The point is that these things can help you turn the switch off.
Your son can do something very simple. When he has a compulsion to do a ritual, he can ask himself, what am I afraid will happen if I don't do this ritual? That is the root fear driving that ritual. Then he knows what fear to face. He can do face this fear by seeing how long he can go without performing the ritual and learn to let the feelings of anxiety wash over him so he can get used to them. Then after awhile he won't be scared of the anxiety feelings, and if he loses the fear of the anxiety, the OCD will not be able to exist and will melt away.
A.) Your OCD originates in fear. Honestly, you don't need to know how it all started to cure it. You can turn on and off a light switch without knowing a thing about electricity or switches. Sometimes people even bump into a switch and the light will turn on and they won't make the connection. The point is that these things can help you turn the switch off.
Your son can do something very simple. When he has a compulsion to do a ritual, he can ask himself, what am I afraid will happen if I don't do this ritual? That is the root fear driving that ritual. Then he knows what fear to face. He can do face this fear by seeing how long he can go without performing the ritual and learn to let the feelings of anxiety wash over him so he can get used to them. Then after awhile he won't be scared of the anxiety feelings, and if he loses the fear of the anxiety, the OCD will not be able to exist and will melt away.
Question below!
Q.) is flooding an effective treatment of OCD as opposed to graded exposure? (my type of OCD is obsessions with lists/memorising stuff)
A.) I would memorize some scriptures about fear. Memorize Phil 4:8 definitely.
When you feel like you are obsessing, quote this scripture to yourself, then think about the things that you love. Make a happy place for you to go in your mind like a mini vacation, then go there, like day dreaming. After a while, just like with most tactics, just thinking about the tactic will take away the OCD, then a while after that, your OCD thoughts will decline until you get to the point that you're like, wow, I just had an OCD thought and it's simple to dismiss them at this point.
A.) I would memorize some scriptures about fear. Memorize Phil 4:8 definitely.
When you feel like you are obsessing, quote this scripture to yourself, then think about the things that you love. Make a happy place for you to go in your mind like a mini vacation, then go there, like day dreaming. After a while, just like with most tactics, just thinking about the tactic will take away the OCD, then a while after that, your OCD thoughts will decline until you get to the point that you're like, wow, I just had an OCD thought and it's simple to dismiss them at this point.
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