sobs
05-25-2005, 04:27 PM
Hi all, :wave:
I saw a program last week I think........maybe it was Dr. Phil.........and he said he was going to answer the question about OCD being genetic,,,but, either he didn't answer the question, or I zoned out, and missed the answer.
I see that a lot of you have read books regarding OCD. I cannot read, because of a lack of concentration. I end up reading one sentence 50 times, and still don't know what it says. (This is all because of another illness I have.)
I would like to know if the books have said OCD is genetic or not. In reading all of the posts, I have noticed that some tend to think that there may have been a "trigger" that caused at least one thing that I can remember right now, and that is the grammar thing, and the fact that all of us who responded had English teachers in our family. Okay.......I know that isn't a genetic cause.
But, one of my problems could absolutely be genetic. That is handwashing. I didn't think about it until I had the problem, but my poor mother's hands were always chapped and cracked and bleeding, because she washed them so often. But, I also have a "trigger" for my handwashing. I used to work at a jail, where I had to pat down prisoners, was spit on, had other bodily fluids thrown on me,,,,,I think you get the idea. Back then, everytime I patted someone down, or had to go through their property, or count nasty money, I would almost run to the bathroom to wash my hands. For me, and I'm sure most of you, that is totally reasonable. But after I retired due to another illness, my handwashing started creeping into my daily life at home, until it became uncontrollable.
AND, thank God for check cards. To this day, I cannot handle money, because of my days at the jail. I know where it's been, and what has been on it!!!!!!!! I cringe thinking about it.
So, what do you all think? Is it genetic, or does there seem to be a trigger that sets us off?
I saw a program last week I think........maybe it was Dr. Phil.........and he said he was going to answer the question about OCD being genetic,,,but, either he didn't answer the question, or I zoned out, and missed the answer.
I see that a lot of you have read books regarding OCD. I cannot read, because of a lack of concentration. I end up reading one sentence 50 times, and still don't know what it says. (This is all because of another illness I have.)
I would like to know if the books have said OCD is genetic or not. In reading all of the posts, I have noticed that some tend to think that there may have been a "trigger" that caused at least one thing that I can remember right now, and that is the grammar thing, and the fact that all of us who responded had English teachers in our family. Okay.......I know that isn't a genetic cause.
But, one of my problems could absolutely be genetic. That is handwashing. I didn't think about it until I had the problem, but my poor mother's hands were always chapped and cracked and bleeding, because she washed them so often. But, I also have a "trigger" for my handwashing. I used to work at a jail, where I had to pat down prisoners, was spit on, had other bodily fluids thrown on me,,,,,I think you get the idea. Back then, everytime I patted someone down, or had to go through their property, or count nasty money, I would almost run to the bathroom to wash my hands. For me, and I'm sure most of you, that is totally reasonable. But after I retired due to another illness, my handwashing started creeping into my daily life at home, until it became uncontrollable.
AND, thank God for check cards. To this day, I cannot handle money, because of my days at the jail. I know where it's been, and what has been on it!!!!!!!! I cringe thinking about it.
So, what do you all think? Is it genetic, or does there seem to be a trigger that sets us off?
Sponsor
turn2you
05-25-2005, 05:18 PM
I've read that it's not specifically genetic per se, *but* you're more likely to develop it if someone in your immediate family has it. That is to say the vulnerability to developing it may be genetic, but not the disease itself.
I guess that's a roundabout answer.
I guess that's a roundabout answer.
jorjac
05-26-2005, 12:45 AM
SOBS - Personally, I think OCD is genetic. At least it appears to be with my sister and me. We both have the same type of OCD which is a visual thing...an aversion to patterns of things...things in layers...holes, like the tiles under bridge abutments, looking at decayed trees with holes in them make me sick...etc...most people can't relate to this problem. However, I just recently tried to explain to my sister about my OCD not knowing that she had the same problem. When we compared our obsessions...they were exactly the same and very much unlike the usual things that bother people such as cleaning, hand washing, counting etc. I am 60 and she is 50 and neither of us knew that the other suffered from OCD. Since we have the same type and had never discussed it before, it has to be a genetic disorder - at least with us. I can see where you would have an aversion to money after all you went through in the prison. You probably need to be on medication. I take Lexapro 10 mg and it has helped to take the edge off the intensity of the obsession. Let me know how you're doing. JORJA
sobs
05-26-2005, 04:38 PM
Thanks for the input. I had assumed that there was a genetic predisposition to this, and also some "triggers", but that perhaps the triggers wouldn't affect folks without OCD.
Turn2You......I like your description. It made sense to me.
And Jorja, isn't it amazing how we can go through life and not realize that someone close to us is affected by something? Since my mom died, there are so many things that I think about that I would love to know now, regarding our similarities. And, I am on Wellbutrin XL, with a small dose of celexa to help out.
I'd love to know how many of you out there with OCD, also have relatives with OCD.
Turn2You......I like your description. It made sense to me.
And Jorja, isn't it amazing how we can go through life and not realize that someone close to us is affected by something? Since my mom died, there are so many things that I think about that I would love to know now, regarding our similarities. And, I am on Wellbutrin XL, with a small dose of celexa to help out.
I'd love to know how many of you out there with OCD, also have relatives with OCD.
bbybyrd
05-27-2005, 01:25 AM
I have OCD and it wasn't until I moved in with my sister that I noticed that she had OCD also. We don't do the same things though. Like, I have to have everything in alphabetical order while she prefers numeric order. I hoard plastic bags and paper and she throws just about everything away and cleans constantly. It's interesting though because I don't think anyone else in my family has this. :nono:
ladyvno
05-29-2005, 02:20 PM
My mother and I both have it, but we're different. She is a big checker and straightener.
I check a little, a counter, and also have an aversion to patterns (I saw something on the simpsons once that bothered me for several hours)
Johns Hopkins hospital school is doing a study on it. For anyone wanting to participate you don't have to go there and it's on their website.
I check a little, a counter, and also have an aversion to patterns (I saw something on the simpsons once that bothered me for several hours)
Johns Hopkins hospital school is doing a study on it. For anyone wanting to participate you don't have to go there and it's on their website.
jorjac
05-30-2005, 12:48 AM
Ladyvno - I, too, have an aversion to things in patterns. Things in layers sometimes bother me. Lots of other things bother me too: holes, cracks etc... I am curious what kind of patterns bother you and what type of thing did you see on the Simpsons that caused you discomfort. Are you doing the study with John Hopkins Hospital. That sounds interesting to me. Although I hate this illness, I am very curious as to what happens to the brain.
Jorja
Jorja
Sari05
05-30-2005, 05:07 AM
My sister and I both have OCD. My sister has a obsession of cleaning, and I have a obsession of washing myself. My sister's OCD is good and her's is under control, she is not on any medication for it.
My OCD is bad, it has gotten worse since last year. I am on medication and
I am seeing a psychologist. I think that OCD runs through my dad's side of the family, on my mom's side of the family there is no mental disorder's,
so I think that OCD runs in my family.
My OCD is bad, it has gotten worse since last year. I am on medication and
I am seeing a psychologist. I think that OCD runs through my dad's side of the family, on my mom's side of the family there is no mental disorder's,
so I think that OCD runs in my family.
ladyvno
05-30-2005, 09:43 AM
Here is the link to johns hopkins http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/ocd/default.asp
I'm not participating, I don't think my mother would want to, but it is interesting for others out there.
Jorja- on the simpsons homer had laser surgery or something and his eyes crusted over, I couldn't get it out of my mind, even now it bothers me.
It was something in the way it was drawn.
I'm not participating, I don't think my mother would want to, but it is interesting for others out there.
Jorja- on the simpsons homer had laser surgery or something and his eyes crusted over, I couldn't get it out of my mind, even now it bothers me.
It was something in the way it was drawn.
jorjac
05-31-2005, 01:01 AM
Thanks for your reply Ladyvno. What you described with Homer is the same type of thing that bothers me. There are some things I can't stand to look at. Like you said, those things don't go away from my memory. I keep replaying it over and over in my mind. Also, sometimes I don't have to see anything - I just have that feeling. It's almost like an appetite. It's hard to explain, but people with this type of OCD understand. I saw a picture on a magazine of Ronald Reagan once. It was about his illness, alzheimer's disease. The pic was put together to look like a puzzle. To show the missing link in his brain, there was one piece left out which looked like a hole in his head. It was awful. It's things like that I can't stand. I think I'll contact the hospital and see if my sister and I can get involved in the study. She will probably participate. Thanks again. Keep me informed if you run across something of interest. Of all the reading I have done in this section, you come closer than anyone having the same type of OCD I have. Jorja