I was initially going to do my blog on Addiction, but at the last moment thought, I needed to look in to OCD instead. Upon further reading, my conclusions about certain concerns of mine have all been figured out. I have this disorder. Does it run my life? Yes, as much as I cringe to think that it would, it does.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD?People with obsessive-compulsive disorder have either obsessions, or compulsions, or both. The obsessions and/or compulsions are great enough to cause significant distress in their employment, schoolwork, or personal and social relationships.What characteristics are associated with OCD?Obsessions:People with obsessions are bothered by thoughts or images that continue to repeat themselves and are almost impossible to ignore. These thoughts, which are annoying, distracting, and inappropriate, tend to cause the person to have moderate to severe anxiety and other emotional discomfort. Common obsessive thoughts include themes of violence, fear of germs and/or infection, and doubts about one’s character and/or behavior. People who suffer from OCD worry excessively and often attempt to avoid or to get rid of the bothersome thoughts by trying to replace them with more pleasant thoughts or actions. Compulsions:Compulsions are behaviors. These specific behaviors are in direct response to the person's troublesome, obsessive thinking. Therefore, people engage in the compulsive behaviors in order to reduce their obsessive thoughts. Some of the most prevalent compulsions are:
Repeated checking of doors, locks, electrical appliances, or light switches
Frequent cleaning of hands or clothes
Strict attempts to keep various, personal items in careful order
Mental activities that are repetitious, such as counting or praying.
Here are some addictions, mild yes, but consuming to say the least. I have a routine with the internet. I check all my emails, but not just once or twice through out the day, but several times, obsessively several times a day. Even when I know that there will be nothing in the inbox, I punch in the html anyway. It's not just my email. I have to get the mail from the post office everyday and if I don't there lies a bit of anxiety. Seriously, like it is going anywhere. Here are some other little compulsive silly behaviors that I have. I am not a neat freak. I gave up on that years ago after having tons of kids in my house. But before I had a ton of kids in my house I didn't have a mail obsession, it was the typical stuff. Well I don't know how typical. My clothes had to be hung color coordinated in my closet. I would rearrange my room constantly, those little things. Now I have an anxiety if the chaos I have in my house is no longer my chaos, but someone elses. "I know where that one shirt is and in what pile so don't mess with it," type of thing. Little annoyances are huge for me. I can't stand to see cricked pictures on the wall. It throws my mood off and I can't concentrate on anything until I straighten out the picture. There are plenty more, but it would take much thought and a longer time to write this.
So while a mild form, I have these compulsive fits for a reason and now I know. It's to balance some sort of what I believe is control for the uncontrolled, the sane for the insane. Maybe that only makes sense in my mind, but I get it.
My poor husband suffers because of the obsessive side of my OCD. People with obsessions are bothered by thoughts or images that continue to repeat themselves and are almost impossible to ignore. These thoughts, which are annoying, distracting, and inappropriate, tend to cause the person to have moderate to severe anxiety and other emotional discomfort. I have and for awhile now, had these horrible, unreasonable thoughts pop in and out of my head that I can't seem to shake off. All of my thoughts revolve around my husband. With out going into detail of what those thoughts are I will say they cause tons of anxiety and paranoia. I would love to rid them but can't seem to. Common obsessive thoughts include themes of violence, fear of germs and/or infection, and doubts about one’s character and/or behavior. People who suffer from OCD worry excessively and often attempt to avoid or to get rid of the bothersome thoughts by trying to replace them with more pleasant thoughts or actions. All is true of me with the exception of thoughts about violence, fear of germs, and/or infections.
So how can I rid myself of OCD?
How is OCD treated?Some of the most common methods of treatment for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder are behavior therapy, prescription medication, or a combination of both. Current medications used for the treatment of OCD include Anafranil (clomipramine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Paxil (paroxetine), and Prozac (fluoxetine). These medications can help diminish obsessive thinking and the subsequent compulsive behaviors.
Crap!! Do I dare go back to my Depression Blog. I don't want medication and God for bid should I be seeking help for this. UGH!! Eating healthy and exercise seems way more appealing then medication and doc. visits. I guess to be continued......
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