I have obsessive compulsive disorder, but I've just learned to deal with it and slowly get rid of it. Because of that attitude, I have made great improvements, but now I'm stuck in a rut. I don't really want to go through therapy to correct it. I don't trust doctors or the majority of medications. Is there any way I can do this on my own? Maybe a step-by-step routine? Anybody else been through this?
you might wanna check out this link http://www.nativeremedies.com/ocd-alternative-treatment.shtml or this one http://www.help-for.com/answer.htm and basically from my own experience with dealing naturally with panic attacks and GAD.... (since OCD is an anxiety disorder, ill tell you what i did) the first thing is not to try to CHANGE your thoughts, or try to eliminate anxiety... you MUST come to realize the why's though.... that is something you'll have to figure out or yourself. why do i subconsciously fear such n such, etc?- anything that is UNDERSTOOD can be helped. once you get an understanding you need to accept those things and look up systematic desensitization or things like it and just try to work on minimizing "symptoms", while actually handling the underlying cause (which is usually something TOTALLY UNRELATED)
i agree, and also dont convince yourself that (insert obsession) will never happen......but there is a good chance that it wont. try writing aout all of ur obsessions and compulsions. it helps a lot
What kind of OCD do you have? Where do you compulsions lie? I've got OCD (professionally diagnosed).... I call it being orderly. But really, when things are out of place in my house I cannot function normally. If a chair moves to the other side of the room, I'll probably avoid the room for a week before I even feel comfortable enough to go put the chair back. Or if someone puts something away in the kitchen, in the wrong spot... I won't be able to go in the kitchen for a while (even if I can't see the object). But actually, it isn't that big of a deal. I think most OCDs don't cause as big of a disruption as "normals" see them as being.
My compulsions would seem ridiculous to anybody that doesn't experience them. Such as checking the locks 3 times after checking the knob 5 times... Yeah, I wouldn't call it a major disruption, but it is there in everyday life.
I think the feeling you get when you don't fulfill a compulsion can be described to someone who doesn't have OCD as the feeling that you've forgotten something and you don't know what. ...except you can't just say, "Oh well." And what is wrong with checking the knobs and locks? If it makes you feel secure, then so be it. Just be glad you don't have to check them 77 times or something. Unless this is seriously disrupting your life, I wouldn't worry about it. If you really feel you need to kick the habit though, the only thing I can think of is really take the time (the first time you lock the door) to concentrate on the fact that it is being locked. Know that you've turned the key in the right direction and just really be aware of what you are doing. Seems simple, but it may help, who knows?
cognitive behavioral therapy is your best bet. you could also check into magic mushrooms--they're doing studies on treating OCD with psilocybin.
