The OCD Thread

[Anony-mousse]

So I'm an OCD nutcase much, it is much better than what it was 2 years ago when it was at peak though.

I had the typical obsessions with dust, closing and reopening envelopes uncountable times to check for any typing or spelling errors, same with emails, driving back home to check if oven is off...

All of those things that I had didn't really interfere with my life too much and it wasn't so much trouble for me. The only thing that was really bad were my obsessive, self destroying thoughts, that was the time when a psychiatrist diagnosed me to be an OCD nutcase. TBH I don't really want to get into detail about this particular obsession.

Anyway, this is all in my past now and I am very happy to be happy and healthy again. However, one thing is bothering me more and more and actually does interfere with my life and that's the unbearable noise of other people eating. I just can't take the noise of chewing and swallowing food. It is so bad by now that I have to leave the room if others are eating. It is worse with my family members, parents, brother... If they eat there is no way I can be in the room. Often I'd have my earphones in and if not I have to leave. I can't even join my parents on the breakfast table for coffee if any of them eats something.

The other thing is the constant pulling of my eyebrows. On the right side they are getting really thin because i can't stop pulling on them. If they regrow and are kinda sticky I have to plug them coz it drives me nuts.

I don't know where my OCD comes from. I am in no way unhappy nor do I take any medication. I am very busy with my companies, tend to think A LOT, am definitely hyper active, therefore do a lot of sports, which is healthy. I am mentally very stable but my mind is constantly busy, perhaps that's where it comes from.

What about others? And crazy fellas here?

 

[Xenophyl]

Sorry for the late reply, had to reset my router 4 times to ensure that I would not double post.

The only obsession I have really is with double-tripled-quadruple checking things. I sometimes sit for a couple of minutes staring at the alarm on my blackberry to make sure its set properly. Unlocking and locking doors. Checking and rechecking spelling.

I think everyone secretly has some obsession so that they can feel in control of something in their life.

 

[ufis]

I do feel that shrinks are way too quick to diagnose OCD, as with AD(H)D in kids.

Without the information about your obsession you do not want to talk about it is fairly hard to comment. Also the fact that I am not a qualified shrink makes this purely opinion.

Too many shrinks "identify" problems in people that is not really a problem.
All the things mentioned above may be obsessive and/or compulsive, but it may not be a disorder.

We live in a busy world. Almost everyone is always rushing somewhere. This leads you to think into the future while doing your current task. Like when you get out of the car at the shopping mall, you are already thinking of the shops you have to visit and what you have to buy. Then 10 steps away from the car you cannot remember if you locked it and have to return to check. While taking those 10 steps back your mind goes back to the shopping, so while you check the car your mind is already elsewhere, which may cause you to have to check it again.
This may seem like, and may very well be diagnosed as, OCD. But it is not.

Look for these kinds of alternative explanations that (most) shrinks will not tell you (they would rather tell you it is OCD to enable them to treat you and make money).

As for the problem with sounds of people eating, I cannot offer any immediate advice other than to just try and divert your mind of it. Try to focus on your own food or the TV.

 

[Anony-mousse]

What medication did you use?

Paxil for 4 years. Withdrawal was terrible.