Discussion Anyone else has insane checking rituals? (Or any other form of ocd)

[Young]

I have an annoying checking issue. I have to check stuff like 3 to 10 times before I move on... so annoying.

Example is typing my own name or creating a password. And that's a mild example.

 

[ocdsucks]

I have an annoying checking issue. I have to check stuff like 3 to 10 times before I move on... so annoying.

Example is typing my own name or creating a password. And that's a mild example.

Yes I have to check I didn't brush past something or touch something that i think is contaminated. Also have a lot of mental checking, Like going over and over things that happened and how I was feeling and thinking and trying to figure out all the details. OCD is horrible. It takes up so much time and makes me feel so anxious.

 

[zwiebel]

Yes, I have OCD too. It has damaged my quality of life so badly and I hate that others have to suffer because of it.

 

[daley]

I have an annoying checking issue. I have to check stuff like 3 to 10 times before I move on... so annoying.

Example is typing my own name or creating a password. And that's a mild example.

I am taking medication for OCD. I went to a psych wanting to try drugs for depression, and when
I told her about my OCD she gave meds. They do help me both with depression and OCD.

For me, OCD came in the form of washing hands, checking whether I closed the door of
my apartment or car. Going over a list of things to check before I leave the house.
Checking that I have not lost my wallet or keys.

It was annoying, but I wouldn't have tried to get meds only for that. I was really
wanting the meds for depression.

I still have all of those issues after taking meds, but they are reduced considerably.

 

[NoPoint2Life]

I'm more contamination OCD so washing hands is a huge one for me. Between that and the constant use of Lysol wipes I used to use I had such bad wounds on my hand that I had to be treated at a wound center. It was torture getting rid of them.

I take meds and have been doing exposure therapy all year

 

[ocdsucks]

I'm more contamination OCD so washing hands is a huge one for me. Between that and the constant use of Lysol wipes I used to use I had such bad wounds on my hand that I had to be treated at a wound center. It was torture getting rid of them.

I take meds and have been doing exposure therapy all year

People don't talk enough about the physical side effects of OCD - my hands have also been thru hell. They get cracks and go red and it can be so painful.
How has ERP and meds been going for you?

 

[NoPoint2Life]

I started off with just Prozac, which brought me to a place where I could give erp a try again and tolerate more since it was unsuccessful the first time

ERP helped tremendously this year as far as actually cleaning things. I use so many less wipes and so much less Lysol spray, don't mop the floor nearly as much. When I'm out, I can deal with it better now, it's always when I get home that I feel gross and like I'm contaminating things.

I'm 44 but I live with my parents and my dad pays for erp. I recently said that I didn't think I was capable of improving anymore. I still wash my hands a ton and I can't see that changing. But my father convinced me to just go from twice a week to once a week. I love my therapist, but now we mostly bullshit about stuff and don't talk about the OCD quite as much. I think the fear for them of me stopping totally with that I would backslide Which to be honest did kind of happen when she took a few weeks off for surgery.

Have you ever tried either?
Is there one thing that you know you will never get past? Just curious.
Like I said, I can't see myself ever stopping washing my hands so much but if I had to pick one thing that's totally grosses me out and will last the rest of my life It's the disgusting reusable grocery bags!

 

[Young]

I started off with just Prozac, which brought me to a place where I could give erp a try again and tolerate more since it was unsuccessful the first time

ERP helped tremendously this year as far as actually cleaning things. I use so many less wipes and so much less Lysol spray, don't mop the floor nearly as much. When I'm out, I can deal with it better now, it's always when I get home that I feel gross and like I'm contaminating things.

I'm 44 but I live with my parents and my dad pays for erp. I recently said that I didn't think I was capable of improving anymore. I still wash my hands a ton and I can't see that changing. But my father convinced me to just go from twice a week to once a week. I love my therapist, but now we mostly bullshit about stuff and don't talk about the OCD quite as much. I think the fear for them of me stopping totally with that I would backslide Which to be honest did kind of happen when she took a few weeks off for surgery.

Have you ever tried either?
Is there one thing that you know you will never get past? Just curious.
Like I said, I can't see myself ever stopping washing my hands so much but if I had to pick one thing that's totally grosses me out and will last the rest of my life It's the disgusting reusable grocery bags!

I haven't tried any meds for this particular condition. I have a habit of feeling my pockets like, every minute or less. Sometimes I don't keep my hands off my pockets to make sure my wallet and mobile are still there. I don't think I'll ever get rid of that, but honestly, it's probably among the "safer" habits. Doesn't take much time and could save me from forgetting stuff I guess. Still slightly annoying tho

 

[ocdsucks]

I started off with just Prozac, which brought me to a place where I could give erp a try again and tolerate more since it was unsuccessful the first time

ERP helped tremendously this year as far as actually cleaning things. I use so many less wipes and so much less Lysol spray, don't mop the floor nearly as much. When I'm out, I can deal with it better now, it's always when I get home that I feel gross and like I'm contaminating things.

I'm 44 but I live with my parents and my dad pays for erp. I recently said that I didn't think I was capable of improving anymore. I still wash my hands a ton and I can't see that changing. But my father convinced me to just go from twice a week to once a week. I love my therapist, but now we mostly bullshit about stuff and don't talk about the OCD quite as much. I think the fear for them of me stopping totally with that I would backslide Which to be honest did kind of happen when she took a few weeks off for surgery.

Have you ever tried either?

oops sorry didnt see this til now
Yes I have been on prozac for years, tried coming off and had a mental health crisis. Still recovering and have been having intense anxiety and panic attacks, it's been really horrible. I feel like I have lost all of my confidence and trust in myself.
I have tried ERP in the past which did work for me, and I'm seeing a therapist again it's just really difficult to talk about the things I'm worried about. It's hard to make progress when you struggle to talk about it.

Is there one thing that you know you will never get past? Just curious.
Like I said, I can't see myself ever stopping washing my hands so much but if I had to pick one thing that's totally grosses me out and will last the rest of my life It's the disgusting reusable grocery bags!

Hm yes there are things that are so deeply ingrained that I probably won't be able to get past, like certain things still feeling contaminated/still ruminating on things.

Hope your weekend has been good! :)

 

[NoPoint2Life]

oops sorry didnt see this til now
Yes I have been on prozac for years, tried coming off and had a mental health crisis. Still recovering and have been having intense anxiety and panic attacks, it's been really horrible. I feel like I have lost all of my confidence and trust in myself.
I have tried ERP in the past which did work for me, and I'm seeing a therapist again it's just really difficult to talk about the things I'm worried about. It's hard to make progress when you struggle to talk about it.

Hm yes there are things that are so deeply ingrained that I probably won't be able to get past, like certain things still feeling contaminated/still ruminating on things.

Hope your weekend has been good! :)

I get it. I have learned about so many ways OCD can manifest and some of them do sound terrifying and/or embarrassing to share and talk about. Contamination is like the simple common one, but there are so many more forms.

I would be terrified if they tried to take me off the Prozac. I'm sorry it didn't go well for you. I had major issues with anxiety earlier this year, so I'm more understanding of that now too.

I hope your weekend has been good as well.

 

[ocdsucks]

I get it. I have learned about so many ways OCD can manifest and some of them do sound terrifying and/or embarrassing to share and talk about. Contamination is like the simple common one, but there are so many more forms.

It sucks because people (somewhat) seem to understand contamination OCD but other types are so stigmatised/not well known.

I would be terrified if they tried to take me off the Prozac. I'm sorry it didn't go well for you. I had major issues with anxiety earlier this year, so I'm more understanding of that now too.

I decided to stop taking it myself because I felt fine and had been on it for years stable . Worst decision ever, it's been awful.

I hope your weekend has been good as well.

Thankyou! :)

 

[dontwakemeup]

I am taking medication for OCD. I went to a psych wanting to try drugs for depression, and when
I told her about my OCD she gave meds. They do help me both with depression and OCD.

For me, OCD came in the form of washing hands, checking whether I closed the door of
my apartment or car. Going over a list of things to check before I leave the house.
Checking that I have not lost my wallet or keys.

It was annoying, but I wouldn't have tried to get meds only for that. I was really
wanting the meds for depression.

I still have all of those issues after taking meds, but they are reduced considerably.

I have the same thing. Do you mi d sharing what medication you're taking and if it's helpful?

 

[daley]

I have the same thing. Do you mi d sharing what medication you're taking and if it's helpful?

I am taking Paroxetine. Where I live it is usually sold as Seroxat or Paxil.

I feel it is helpful for me. My "journey" with this medication went as follows. As for side effects,
in the beginning I had mild nausea which passed after a while. I recall doing better and
being more creative at work when I started taking it. I was going to the psych
regularly, and she kept increasing the dose until 60mg which is the
maximum does.

After about 10 years of taking it, I decided to try to get off
the drug because I retired and was under no pressure in my life, and thought I was
doing well. By this time I was not seeing my psych. I probably should have consulted
somebody, but I got off very gradually, reducing 10mg every month.

So after half a year I stopped taking it completely, and had no side effects.
However, after several months, I noticed that I am feeling much worse
and constantly thinking about suicide. So now I am back on it at 20mg,
and I think this is working well for me. Stopping the meds after so long
reminded me how I felt before taking meds, so now I am more convinced
that I do need to stay on it.

I hope this helps.

 

[dontwakemeup]

I am taking Paroxetine. Where I live it is usually sold as Seroxat or Paxil.

I feel it is helpful for me. My "journey" with this medication went as follows. As for side effects,
in the beginning I had mild nausea which passed after a while. I recall doing better and
being more creative at work when I started taking it. I was going to the psych
regularly, and she kept increasing the dose until 60mg which is the
maximum does.

After about 10 years of taking it, I decided to try to get off
the drug because I retired and was under no pressure in my life, and thought I was
doing well. By this time I was not seeing my psych. I probably should have consulted
somebody, but I got off very gradually, reducing 10mg every month.

So after half a year I stopped taking it completely, and had no side effects.
However, after several months, I noticed that I am feeling much worse
and constantly thinking about suicide. So now I am back on it at 20mg,
and I think this is working well for me. Stopping the meds after so long
reminded me how I felt before taking meds, so now I am more convinced
that I do need to stay on it.

I hope this helps.

I've heard of that medication before but never thought it would work for OCD. I think we all justify a reason to stop our meds and in your case I would think it was a great time too.
I'm glad it gave you relief. OCD takes up so much of our time and causes me great distress at work. I just wish I could be normal pike everyone else. When others complain to me, I so wish I could trade them for my issues.

I been so depressed lately so I started back on my Prozac. I never throw my medication away, luckily. This time, I plan to stay on it it takes too long to build up, so I'll accept it and take it forever.

Thank you so kindly for responding and sharing. Everyone on here is so nice. I just wish the world was so understanding and accepting like everyone here has been.

 

[belly.up4good]

I have an annoying checking issue. I have to check stuff like 3 to 10 times before I move on... so annoying.

Example is typing my own name or creating a password. And that's a mild example.

For me it's germs. I have weird rules about them. When I go to classes, I have to always wear long sleeve hoodies so I can touch doorknobs with them. And I only allow certain clothes to be worn for class, and some are just not allowed to be worn because it'll get 'school germs.' I cover my head when I walk by people or sit in a seat with a back part, so it doesn't get dirty. Then I avoid wearing those clothes when I'm hanging out. That's all I can think of for now, but it sucks cuz I avoid wearing my favorite clothes, and as a result, just never get to wear them.