Posted on 04/07/2009 10:22:24 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Condemned: Experts claim obsessive compulsive disorder is a life sentence
Scrubbing my hands again and again until they almost bleed. Obsessively tapping objects hundreds of times before I can leave the house. Even kissing my purse over and over again. These are the weird and distressing rituals I have lived with since I became a slave to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder when I was a child.
It is a psychological illness that has, on more than one occasion, brought me literally to my knees. With its threatening, fearful thoughts and laborious rituals, it has been the bane of my life.
For years, I’ve been dominated by the voices in my head that told me if I don’t obey them, my loved ones will come to terrible harm. It is time-consuming, anxiety inducing and miserable to live with. At times I have felt desperate and suicidal.
I first realised something was wrong with me when I was seven. I feared for my mother’s failing health - she had kidney disease - but my anxiety levels rocketed when I was attacked by a schizophrenic woman, Winnie, who visited our home. Momentarily alone with her, she tried to suffocate me with a cushion. In that moment, some kind of mental trigger was pulled.
Shortly after, I became aware of unpleasant thoughts that compelled me to beat the school bus to the stop or ‘Mum will die’. My internal communicator scared me. It consumed me with dark foreboding and I worried that if I disobeyed it, my loved ones would be punished.
So, I sprinted like a champ; the bus never beat me. I kept my thoughts to myself.
Now, in my 40s, I reached crisis point two years ago. The obsessions had become almost intolerable.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Man, I feel for those with OCD.
Man, I feel for those with OCD.
Man, I feel for those with OCD.
Man, I feel for those with OCD.
Man, I feel for those with OCD.
Man, I feel for those with OCD.
Sorry Nick, couldn’t resist ;-)
Our godson has this disorder. Heartbreaking, he has left school and is basically a recluse.
You can’t stop on an odd number!
You can’t stop on an odd number!
LOL!
Man, I feel for those with OCD.
Whew...thanks!
LOL!
LOL!
Do you want me to post this a few more times.
(that's "LOL" spelled backwards)
Very funny!
I’m so sorry about your godson. OCD is part of a spectrum of anxiety disorders that are inherited (though usually triggered by some event), but treatable. If he is anywhere near Vallejo, CA, your godson might benefit from the 10-week classes held there by Howard Liebgold, M.D. (google “Dr. Fear” and you will find several articles about him). I had severe social anxiety disorder, panic attacks, agoraphobia and oh, yes, just a little OCD. Dr. Howie gave me my life back. (And in just ten weeks!!!!!!!!!). I cannot recommend him enough. Dr. Howie also has tapes, CD’s, and a book, though I don’t know if those would be as effective as attending the classes.
ping
ping
ping
ping
ping
ping
ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.