crimsonrose
02-13-2004, 10:09 AM
I don't know how to start out talking about my problem. I am an 18 year old female. For about six months, I've been worrying non-stop. I must check on the safety of things 3-4 times before I can rest and even then I feel the urge to check up again, but I force myself not to just so I can sleep. Often, I also think of the worst possible scenario and the most horrible thing that could happen. I'll give you guys an example.
My dog had puppies about 7 weeks ago, and I love these babies to death, but in reality they have caused me nothing but chronic worry and lost sleep. We have since found two of them good homes, but two still remain with me. The dogs have stayed in our heated garage for these past weeks and every night I had to get up and check on them repeatedly even when they were 4-6 weeks old and sleeping soundly without any problems. I get up, check the puppies to make sure they are all there, and then check the back garage door. It's weird, because I have to stand back there for about 10 seconds and just stare at the door being shut. Before leaving, I have to count the puppies out loud and even sort them by color. I don't know what's wrong with me. I know they are there.. but yet my mind wants me to do this every single time. If I don't, I have a huge problem and must come back eventually. When I am in my room trying to sleep.. I'll start to think of these horrible things that could happen. Such as, what if a dog somehow got in the fridge or freezer and freezes to death or what if the dog eats something and chokes... or what if the dog somehow magically gets in the house and the cats attack him.... the list can go on and on. This will more than likely make me get up once again and check. It's horrible.. it interferes with my sleep cycle at times.
This is not the only occurence.. it seems I'm like this with all of my animals. I have three cats and two other dogs. Whenever I go to my boyfriend's house, I have to call home at least two times to make sure everything is ok.
The problem of worrying and checking has went into other areas as well. Sometimes, I'll walk back into the bathroom to make sure I flushed the toilet or stopped the faucet even though I remember doing it. There is the same thing here too, I have to stare at the faucet for a little while before I can be at rest. It even happened in school, I would check a homework assignment like crazy, just to make sure I had my name on it. When I drive, sometimes I'll run back outside to make sure the car is in park or everything is off. It's happening in a lot of other things, but you guys get the idea.
I'm a little concerned, because this only started about six months ago and it seems to get progressively worse. I don't know if maybe I'm just a little too careful or what.... Maybe I'm just a loon.. lol. I told my boyfriend, "Be happy I'm so careful because one day it could save your life." He just laughs and calls me a crazy compulsive. I hope someone here can help me out and maybe have a little insight on how I can improve this.
thanks a lot!
My dog had puppies about 7 weeks ago, and I love these babies to death, but in reality they have caused me nothing but chronic worry and lost sleep. We have since found two of them good homes, but two still remain with me. The dogs have stayed in our heated garage for these past weeks and every night I had to get up and check on them repeatedly even when they were 4-6 weeks old and sleeping soundly without any problems. I get up, check the puppies to make sure they are all there, and then check the back garage door. It's weird, because I have to stand back there for about 10 seconds and just stare at the door being shut. Before leaving, I have to count the puppies out loud and even sort them by color. I don't know what's wrong with me. I know they are there.. but yet my mind wants me to do this every single time. If I don't, I have a huge problem and must come back eventually. When I am in my room trying to sleep.. I'll start to think of these horrible things that could happen. Such as, what if a dog somehow got in the fridge or freezer and freezes to death or what if the dog eats something and chokes... or what if the dog somehow magically gets in the house and the cats attack him.... the list can go on and on. This will more than likely make me get up once again and check. It's horrible.. it interferes with my sleep cycle at times.
This is not the only occurence.. it seems I'm like this with all of my animals. I have three cats and two other dogs. Whenever I go to my boyfriend's house, I have to call home at least two times to make sure everything is ok.
The problem of worrying and checking has went into other areas as well. Sometimes, I'll walk back into the bathroom to make sure I flushed the toilet or stopped the faucet even though I remember doing it. There is the same thing here too, I have to stare at the faucet for a little while before I can be at rest. It even happened in school, I would check a homework assignment like crazy, just to make sure I had my name on it. When I drive, sometimes I'll run back outside to make sure the car is in park or everything is off. It's happening in a lot of other things, but you guys get the idea.
I'm a little concerned, because this only started about six months ago and it seems to get progressively worse. I don't know if maybe I'm just a little too careful or what.... Maybe I'm just a loon.. lol. I told my boyfriend, "Be happy I'm so careful because one day it could save your life." He just laughs and calls me a crazy compulsive. I hope someone here can help me out and maybe have a little insight on how I can improve this.
thanks a lot!
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Always_Worrying
02-13-2004, 11:30 AM
Hi!
I'm a 27 y/o female, and I can relate very well to what you are going through.
It sure sounds to me like OCD. Having to check things is a major sign. I too, think of all the worst case scenerios before I go to bed. It's terrible.
I suggest you find a therapist, someone who can work with you.
YOu have to expose yourself to the things you check in order to illeviate the checking. For instance. YOu feel the urge to check on the puppies. Wait 30 seconds before going. Gradually increase the amount of time you wait, and ultimately you want to get to the point you don't have to check. I know, it seems like you'd never be able to do it. That is where a therapist really helps.
Good Luck! And I find this board a life saver! It's so nice to communicate with others that are going through the same thing. Feel free to come and get support here!
I'm a 27 y/o female, and I can relate very well to what you are going through.
It sure sounds to me like OCD. Having to check things is a major sign. I too, think of all the worst case scenerios before I go to bed. It's terrible.
I suggest you find a therapist, someone who can work with you.
YOu have to expose yourself to the things you check in order to illeviate the checking. For instance. YOu feel the urge to check on the puppies. Wait 30 seconds before going. Gradually increase the amount of time you wait, and ultimately you want to get to the point you don't have to check. I know, it seems like you'd never be able to do it. That is where a therapist really helps.
Good Luck! And I find this board a life saver! It's so nice to communicate with others that are going through the same thing. Feel free to come and get support here!
billy7772
02-13-2004, 09:57 PM
Sounds like OCD. I used to worry about everything in addition to being depressed and suffering from Panic attacks. The answer for me was Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I was on meds for many years before I found CBT and it cured me and got me off meds in a remarkably short period of time. CBT is not like other talk therapy. It's all about using the tools to learn to think more clearly and accurately about things and once you do your worries, anxiety, panic and depression will miraculously begin to lift before your eyes. My favorite starter book on CBT is "Been There, Done That? Do This! by Sam Obitz. Many universitiues offer CBT programs for little or no charge so you want want to call the university in your area.
Hope this is helpful :)
Billy
Hope this is helpful :)
Billy
junebug2068
02-13-2004, 10:19 PM
Crimsonrose,
Definately OCD. When it interfears with your life like that....
If it really really bothers you (which to me it sounds serious when you have to get up in the night...come home...stare at the door for 10 sec.) I would definately see a doctor and try something like Zoloft. If you have never had anxiety problems or depression. If you have had anxiety I would try Paxil first. Otherwise Prozac. Good luck. I sure wonder what brings something like this on, ya know? I mean, if you've never had any trouble before... I guess I just figured people were just born with certain genetics. My OCD was the worst in Junior High and High School. If only I had known what it was back then (I'm 35) It would have changed my life. Paxil would have made my childhood like heaven.
Let us know how you are doing!
Junebug :p
Definately OCD. When it interfears with your life like that....
If it really really bothers you (which to me it sounds serious when you have to get up in the night...come home...stare at the door for 10 sec.) I would definately see a doctor and try something like Zoloft. If you have never had anxiety problems or depression. If you have had anxiety I would try Paxil first. Otherwise Prozac. Good luck. I sure wonder what brings something like this on, ya know? I mean, if you've never had any trouble before... I guess I just figured people were just born with certain genetics. My OCD was the worst in Junior High and High School. If only I had known what it was back then (I'm 35) It would have changed my life. Paxil would have made my childhood like heaven.
Let us know how you are doing!
Junebug :p
crimsonrose
02-16-2004, 12:57 AM
Your replies help a lot. Thank you!
AlwaysWorrying-- I am in the process of prolonging the time between my checks. I'm making a little progress.
I'm thinking about seeing a doctor for this, but I can't do so until I get some insurance. I might try that CBT thing as Billy suggested... I need to find a solution or somehow calm down. It seems it's the strongest about pets and other creatures. I can't hardly watch the news much anymore because if I see a story about animal abuse I will break down. It really screws me up. Just this v-day I was driving around and I heard this story about a puppy (I won't go into it), and I was messed up for the rest of the day. I had to call home just to make sure my pets were alright. I don't know guys.... it's easier some days than others.
Thanks again for all the wonderful replies! :)
AlwaysWorrying-- I am in the process of prolonging the time between my checks. I'm making a little progress.
I'm thinking about seeing a doctor for this, but I can't do so until I get some insurance. I might try that CBT thing as Billy suggested... I need to find a solution or somehow calm down. It seems it's the strongest about pets and other creatures. I can't hardly watch the news much anymore because if I see a story about animal abuse I will break down. It really screws me up. Just this v-day I was driving around and I heard this story about a puppy (I won't go into it), and I was messed up for the rest of the day. I had to call home just to make sure my pets were alright. I don't know guys.... it's easier some days than others.
Thanks again for all the wonderful replies! :)
billy7772
02-17-2004, 03:26 PM
Your replies help a lot. Thank you!
AlwaysWorrying-- I am in the process of prolonging the time between my checks. I'm making a little progress.
I'm thinking about seeing a doctor for this, but I can't do so until I get some insurance. I might try that CBT thing as Billy suggested... I need to find a solution or somehow calm down. It seems it's the strongest about pets and other creatures. I can't hardly watch the news much anymore because if I see a story about animal abuse I will break down. It really screws me up. Just this v-day I was driving around and I heard this story about a puppy (I won't go into it), and I was messed up for the rest of the day. I had to call home just to make sure my pets were alright. I don't know guys.... it's easier some days than others.
Thanks again for all the wonderful replies! :)
Crimson-
That's great that you are prolonging time between checks! The key is to build on your progress; it does not matter how fast you make progress as you keep making some as any amount will get you where you want to be in time :)
The tools you learn in CBT will teach you how to counter your thoughts effectively and this will begin to reduce the amount of stress you experience and calm you down :angel:
So call the local Uni in your area today to see if they have a CBT program :bouncing:
Take care!
Billy
AlwaysWorrying-- I am in the process of prolonging the time between my checks. I'm making a little progress.
I'm thinking about seeing a doctor for this, but I can't do so until I get some insurance. I might try that CBT thing as Billy suggested... I need to find a solution or somehow calm down. It seems it's the strongest about pets and other creatures. I can't hardly watch the news much anymore because if I see a story about animal abuse I will break down. It really screws me up. Just this v-day I was driving around and I heard this story about a puppy (I won't go into it), and I was messed up for the rest of the day. I had to call home just to make sure my pets were alright. I don't know guys.... it's easier some days than others.
Thanks again for all the wonderful replies! :)
Crimson-
That's great that you are prolonging time between checks! The key is to build on your progress; it does not matter how fast you make progress as you keep making some as any amount will get you where you want to be in time :)
The tools you learn in CBT will teach you how to counter your thoughts effectively and this will begin to reduce the amount of stress you experience and calm you down :angel:
So call the local Uni in your area today to see if they have a CBT program :bouncing:
Take care!
Billy