Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

[jamesmichaels]

Hi all my fellow sufferers! I had severe OCD for over 30 years but finally had enough and fought back! I wrote a book about it. Join my group Man Interrupted at facebook and read a short excerpt from my published book and see if you relate? James.

[ocbuc]

I perhaps didn't have a severe case of O.C.D, but I also fought back. And I was a child. (8 -12 years old) Mine entailed, the constant re-checking of certain things I did as well as repetitive behavior. I would re-check the burners, the door lock, the clock, and I think at one point repeat my Night prayers, till I got it right. Whatever that meant... one day I was exhausted from re-checking the setting of my alarm clock., and I will never forget that day. I said to myself, this is ridiculous, I am exhausted.. If i wake up on time good , if i don't that's fine too. Not the end of the world , so I don't care , I'm sleepy now, and that is what I'm going to do. From that day on...
When the need arose in me to re-check myself and make sure that I had locked the front door, I would allow me to check it once, and then move on regardless, of how I felt. What I did when I felt the impulse was to concentrate and stay in the moment. One check and move on, with the saying that whatever happens (happens). I fought my thoughts by shedding light on them and purposely deciding to ignore them.
This can be done.. I basically governed my thoughts ,not let them govern me. I was on remission for many years. It does tend to rear it's ugly head once in a while, but I employ the one check rule and basically will myself to not care what the outcome is of not re-checking etc... cause nothing can be worse than being controlled by stupid thoughts..

Like you said ,, you just have to get to the point where you get sick of it..