fm5
02-12-2004, 07:29 PM
This may or may not be of any solace to anyone, but one thing that I have learned since getting this horrid illness is that it is no respecter of a person's intelligence.
I have heard of doctors who have had to give their careers up because of non-ending handwashing. I have also known priests who have had this horrid illness. I have also worked with executives who have had it.
So please, don't feel you are fighting this illness alone or that it is caused by a lack of intelligence. It is definitely not!
Take care!
I have heard of doctors who have had to give their careers up because of non-ending handwashing. I have also known priests who have had this horrid illness. I have also worked with executives who have had it.
So please, don't feel you are fighting this illness alone or that it is caused by a lack of intelligence. It is definitely not!
Take care!
Sponsor
Flutegirl7
02-13-2004, 02:26 AM
That's good news... I'm thinking maybe we're the smartest of the bunch! LOL
shiningstars
02-13-2004, 02:43 AM
ive heard that people with an ocd mind tend to overanalyze things and think too much, is that true??
red16
02-13-2004, 10:14 AM
ive heard that people with an ocd mind tend to overanalyze things and think too much, is that true??
yep, at least I do
yep, at least I do
Porto guy
02-13-2004, 02:03 PM
Theres lots of briliant artists and intelectuals with OCD...and with other kinds of disturb 2.
cherryfroggie7
02-19-2004, 08:46 AM
I don't know if I'd call OCD and "illness", more like a "disorder". And illness is usually caused by bacteria or a virus or something else. OCD, GAD, ADD, ADHD, etc. are all disorders (they all have disorder in their name).
Also, depending on your type and severity of OCD, I'm not sure I would use the word "horrid". I have only moderate OCD and, for the most part, I don't have too much trouble with it (Mine is mostly germs, following a routine, etc.). I guess it's just how you look at things. Have you ever seen the show "Monk"? I know it's a show, but Adrian Monk's OCD help him solve cases. I'm not saying OCD is all good, sometimes it causing me and many, many others stress and axiety. However, there are a few treaments for OCD out there.
And, lastly, I agree with you about the fact that OCD is no mirror of a person's intelligence. My father is a "genius" (he doesn't like to be called it, but it's true) and he sorts his dollar bills from oldest to newest and where they came from.
I'm not sure if you have OCD, but if you do, good luck.
-Leni
Also, depending on your type and severity of OCD, I'm not sure I would use the word "horrid". I have only moderate OCD and, for the most part, I don't have too much trouble with it (Mine is mostly germs, following a routine, etc.). I guess it's just how you look at things. Have you ever seen the show "Monk"? I know it's a show, but Adrian Monk's OCD help him solve cases. I'm not saying OCD is all good, sometimes it causing me and many, many others stress and axiety. However, there are a few treaments for OCD out there.
And, lastly, I agree with you about the fact that OCD is no mirror of a person's intelligence. My father is a "genius" (he doesn't like to be called it, but it's true) and he sorts his dollar bills from oldest to newest and where they came from.
I'm not sure if you have OCD, but if you do, good luck.
-Leni
fm5
02-21-2004, 01:40 PM
And illness is usually caused by bacteria or a virus or something else. OCD, GAD, ADD, ADHD, etc. are all disorders (they all have disorder in their name).
There is actually a theory that some forms of o.c.d. (particularly o.c.d. having a childhood onset) is caused by a strep infection. And, if it is caused by diminished serotonin, it could very well be a chemical imbalance of physical origin.
I personally don't think there is a huge difference in calling it an illness or a disorder. The American Psychiatric Associaton uses the term "mental illness" to encompass all of the different psychiatric disorders.
Also, depending on your type and severity of OCD, I'm not sure I would use the word "horrid".
I use the word horrid because, I myself, have lost practically everything to this disorder. I have lost jobs. I had to go out on disability from it, which I feel, has cost me well over $50,000. I tried medications, which I firmly, believe gave me rheumatoid arthritis (physical pain which I deal with on a daily basis). I have missed numerous social engagements, and have been totally humiliated by this illness.
I also have met many people in o.c.d. meetings who have been totally disabled from o.c.d. Some had to be placed in in-patient facilities. Many, I know of, have been unable to work and barely able to function.
I think it is great that your o.c.d. is mild. To many people, it is not mild. I think that those who are suffering from it, can call it pretty much what they want to call it.
There is actually a theory that some forms of o.c.d. (particularly o.c.d. having a childhood onset) is caused by a strep infection. And, if it is caused by diminished serotonin, it could very well be a chemical imbalance of physical origin.
I personally don't think there is a huge difference in calling it an illness or a disorder. The American Psychiatric Associaton uses the term "mental illness" to encompass all of the different psychiatric disorders.
Also, depending on your type and severity of OCD, I'm not sure I would use the word "horrid".
I use the word horrid because, I myself, have lost practically everything to this disorder. I have lost jobs. I had to go out on disability from it, which I feel, has cost me well over $50,000. I tried medications, which I firmly, believe gave me rheumatoid arthritis (physical pain which I deal with on a daily basis). I have missed numerous social engagements, and have been totally humiliated by this illness.
I also have met many people in o.c.d. meetings who have been totally disabled from o.c.d. Some had to be placed in in-patient facilities. Many, I know of, have been unable to work and barely able to function.
I think it is great that your o.c.d. is mild. To many people, it is not mild. I think that those who are suffering from it, can call it pretty much what they want to call it.
Pete-out-West
02-21-2004, 03:56 PM
One of the greatest minds of all time, Albert Einstein is said to have suffered from OCD. When he was young his parents thought he was crazy. There is also John Nash the Nobel Peace Prize winning matamatician who sufferd from schizophrenia ..
TerryB
02-22-2004, 10:58 AM
My daughter's OCD specialist just told me that OCD is often associated with a Math learning disability, but, on the other hand it does not HAVE to be associated in any individual's case. My daughter is 5 and is in Preschool. She has a fascination with Math and has self-taught herself all the Kindergarten Math and is now going into 1st Grade Math. She can also read. They are already making a plan for her so that she is not totally bored to death in Kindergarten. Boredom is the worst thing for OCD and anxiety so the school psychologist is going to try to keep her intellectually stimulated.
I don't think that you can assume anything about a person's IQ based on the OCD diagnosis. Everyone is an individual.
Terry
I don't think that you can assume anything about a person's IQ based on the OCD diagnosis. Everyone is an individual.
Terry
fm5
02-22-2004, 03:13 PM
I don't think that you can assume anything about a person's IQ based on the OCD diagnosis. Everyone is an individual.
I realize that o.c.d. is prevalent among all intellectual levels. My point in writing the thread was to point out to other o.c.d'ers that "they are not stupid" because they may check/clean things continually or have excessive fears and doubts. And, whether one wants to believe it or not, this attitude is prevelant among some non-ocd'ers who really don't understand the illness.
I realize that o.c.d. is prevalent among all intellectual levels. My point in writing the thread was to point out to other o.c.d'ers that "they are not stupid" because they may check/clean things continually or have excessive fears and doubts. And, whether one wants to believe it or not, this attitude is prevelant among some non-ocd'ers who really don't understand the illness.
cherryfroggie7
02-22-2004, 03:17 PM
I just guess it's how you see it, fm5. That's too bad you have suffered so many hardships because of your OCD; you seem like a great person. Like I said before, it does depend on your severity of OCD. Yours seems to be pretty severe, and I can definatly see why you call it "horrid".
I hope your luck turns around,
-Len
I hope your luck turns around,
-Len
fm5
02-22-2004, 03:24 PM
Yours seems to be pretty severe, and I can definatly see why you call it "horrid".
Actually mine was very severe for about 3 years, but in the last year I would have to admit that I have come out of most of it. I consider myself about 75% better than I was 3 or 4 years ago.
But, I know too much about this illness, have met many people with it, and have seen the devastation this illness can cause.
I definitely would suggest, though, that you learn all you can about it, and get treatment for it too, Len, so yours doesn't get worse. At one point, (even only about 5 years ago) I had almost no symptoms of o.c.d. So I also know how it can get very worse very fast.
Actually mine was very severe for about 3 years, but in the last year I would have to admit that I have come out of most of it. I consider myself about 75% better than I was 3 or 4 years ago.
But, I know too much about this illness, have met many people with it, and have seen the devastation this illness can cause.
I definitely would suggest, though, that you learn all you can about it, and get treatment for it too, Len, so yours doesn't get worse. At one point, (even only about 5 years ago) I had almost no symptoms of o.c.d. So I also know how it can get very worse very fast.
cherryfroggie7
02-22-2004, 03:57 PM
...I also know how it can get very worse very fast.
I agree very much. About 3,4 months ago my symptoms weren't very bad. The last time I had obsession and compulsions was when I was pretty young. However, now it's much worse.
Thanks so much for your advice fm5. I'm really happy that a learned person like yourself was able to get over your illness 75% and I hope you can manage to overcome 25% more.
Congrats and good luck,
-Len
P.S. After I posted my first post, I too thought about the "mental illness" definition. I guess it does depend on how you see it. Maybe disorders and illnesses are the same...
I agree very much. About 3,4 months ago my symptoms weren't very bad. The last time I had obsession and compulsions was when I was pretty young. However, now it's much worse.
Thanks so much for your advice fm5. I'm really happy that a learned person like yourself was able to get over your illness 75% and I hope you can manage to overcome 25% more.
Congrats and good luck,
-Len
P.S. After I posted my first post, I too thought about the "mental illness" definition. I guess it does depend on how you see it. Maybe disorders and illnesses are the same...
TerryB
02-22-2004, 04:49 PM
fm5, There was no misunderstanding. I understood you totally and I agree with you that ANYONE can have ocd and you should never assume that you are of lower intelligence.