divalou
05-21-2007, 05:34 AM
hi there;
I was wondering if its possible to get the disturbing images associated with ocd in your dreams. i often have very frighteneing, disturbing, dreams and also sexual dreams where i am having sex with a stranger, even had an incestuous dream once and (as i suffer with an obsession about being some sort of pervert like peadophile) i often dream about kids (not in a sexual way) and get the same fears running through my head in the dream. this morning i dreamt about a girl of about 13 who was masturbating! i didnt actually see anything she was fully clothed but i woke up and was freaked out big time!!!
i also just have really scary dreams and lots of dreams of sleeping withother men, ven though i would never cheat on my bf and i love him so much and am incredibly happy with everything o do with him.
is this part of OCD? does anyone experience similar? im just so afraid i am just one of those people! i am not i know im not but its like my brain keeps telling me that i am attracted to kids or something!! im not im really not i swear and its really scaring me!
I was wondering if its possible to get the disturbing images associated with ocd in your dreams. i often have very frighteneing, disturbing, dreams and also sexual dreams where i am having sex with a stranger, even had an incestuous dream once and (as i suffer with an obsession about being some sort of pervert like peadophile) i often dream about kids (not in a sexual way) and get the same fears running through my head in the dream. this morning i dreamt about a girl of about 13 who was masturbating! i didnt actually see anything she was fully clothed but i woke up and was freaked out big time!!!
i also just have really scary dreams and lots of dreams of sleeping withother men, ven though i would never cheat on my bf and i love him so much and am incredibly happy with everything o do with him.
is this part of OCD? does anyone experience similar? im just so afraid i am just one of those people! i am not i know im not but its like my brain keeps telling me that i am attracted to kids or something!! im not im really not i swear and its really scaring me!
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Post-It
05-21-2007, 10:25 AM
Hi diva,
indeed, dreaming about your obsessions is part of OCD. I used to have HORRIBLE dreams when my OCD was at its worst. They used to make me so anxious and sick to my stomach. Just last night, we watched a movie that involved demon posession and I dreamed that my OCD really wasn't OCD, but I was actually posessed by the devil. Waking up, I'm like, wow, what a silly thought, but in the middle of the night I was totally convinced it was true.
So, bottom line, yes, dreams are all part of OCD. Are you in therapy? When you feel anxious because of a dream, try applying your CBT techniques. That's what I had to do this morning and I'm back to feeling good again.
indeed, dreaming about your obsessions is part of OCD. I used to have HORRIBLE dreams when my OCD was at its worst. They used to make me so anxious and sick to my stomach. Just last night, we watched a movie that involved demon posession and I dreamed that my OCD really wasn't OCD, but I was actually posessed by the devil. Waking up, I'm like, wow, what a silly thought, but in the middle of the night I was totally convinced it was true.
So, bottom line, yes, dreams are all part of OCD. Are you in therapy? When you feel anxious because of a dream, try applying your CBT techniques. That's what I had to do this morning and I'm back to feeling good again.
lithenblithe
05-21-2007, 12:37 PM
ocd and dreams can get very tied together! I've had much the same experience as you when the ocd is bad, and the dreams and the ocd seem to feed off one another. I've found it's actually not so much the dream content that is awful (dreams are supposed to be random, strange) but the fact that my same fears and ocd thoughts are running through my head, trying to make it real. And when I wake up, I feel like it's worked. It feels so incredibly real.
The ocd has let up on me right now, and sure enough, the dreams have calmed and I feel like a normal person again. I wish I knew a way to turn a switch and make that happen, but I certainly haven't figured it out.
Just keep faith, even though it seems against all the odds. Hold onto the belief that your fears aren't the truth, and that the fears won't hold on forever. It will pass - I think you know that somewhere deep deep down.
The ocd has let up on me right now, and sure enough, the dreams have calmed and I feel like a normal person again. I wish I knew a way to turn a switch and make that happen, but I certainly haven't figured it out.
Just keep faith, even though it seems against all the odds. Hold onto the belief that your fears aren't the truth, and that the fears won't hold on forever. It will pass - I think you know that somewhere deep deep down.
lithenblithe
05-21-2007, 12:39 PM
oh, and post-it, what was the technique you used after your dream? it would be nice to have something positive to do after a crappy night, so it doesn't get worse!
divalou
05-21-2007, 04:49 PM
just wanna say thanks for your support its just nive to know others suffer with it too adn im not crazy or sick!
Post-It
05-22-2007, 11:29 AM
Hi lithenblithe,
I use the brainlock method which involves just recognizing for what it is (an OCD thought or my brain misfiring and sending me a false signal), and refocusing on something for a few minutes. It's not about the content of the thoughts, but our response to them which intensifies the thoughts/feelings. If we can send the message back to our brain that these thoughts aren't important, it lessens their overall important and soon will lessen the frequency of the thoughts.
I use the brainlock method which involves just recognizing for what it is (an OCD thought or my brain misfiring and sending me a false signal), and refocusing on something for a few minutes. It's not about the content of the thoughts, but our response to them which intensifies the thoughts/feelings. If we can send the message back to our brain that these thoughts aren't important, it lessens their overall important and soon will lessen the frequency of the thoughts.
lithenblithe
05-22-2007, 02:13 PM
Thanks - that sounds really helpful! Recently, when my thoughts start to spiral, I've been able to stop and say, "I'm obsessing!" That really helps to break it a bit and keep it from getting out of hand.
With the ocd, I feel sometimes like I am trying to discipline and calm and unruly toddler! It's pretty hard to stand my ground sometimes, but I try to remember it's for the best for both of us :)
With the ocd, I feel sometimes like I am trying to discipline and calm and unruly toddler! It's pretty hard to stand my ground sometimes, but I try to remember it's for the best for both of us :)
Post-It
05-22-2007, 05:56 PM
That's funny you mention trying to discipline an unruly toddler.... that is exactly how my therapist put it! She said something like "OCD is like a bad child that misbehaves and you have to send it to the corner... only what does a child do when it's sent to the corner? constantly whines and tries to get your attention!"
You might want to check out the brain lock method, you can find it by simply doing a search for it online. :)
You might want to check out the brain lock method, you can find it by simply doing a search for it online. :)
lithenblithe
05-23-2007, 01:14 PM
I did a search on the brain block, and found a book by that title on ocd. I searched through it some on amazon, and it looks really helpful! I've been binging a bit on amazon lately, but I might splurge on this one. Do you own it?
I really do like the analogy of a misbehaving child for ocd - especially the image of her whining while in the corner! That's what mine is doing right now. And it's funny to think of myself as one of those parents on Supernanny or Nanny 911 who can't say no to their out-of-control children! It's true, though - I desperately want to give in, go over and hug my ocd and give it whatver it wants!
And while I'm rambling, the unruly child analogy gave me another thought. It made me wonder - we discipline children so that they will become the best people they can be, so could the ocd have a good side? - is there something positive it should become? And I think that the ocd does have a good side. It is so tied in with imagination, and it's where all our "what ifs" and "whys" come from - such a rich part of the brain. We're sensitive, keen observers and filled with thought and analysis - if the destructive parts can be weeded out, those are great assets!
I really do like the analogy of a misbehaving child for ocd - especially the image of her whining while in the corner! That's what mine is doing right now. And it's funny to think of myself as one of those parents on Supernanny or Nanny 911 who can't say no to their out-of-control children! It's true, though - I desperately want to give in, go over and hug my ocd and give it whatver it wants!
And while I'm rambling, the unruly child analogy gave me another thought. It made me wonder - we discipline children so that they will become the best people they can be, so could the ocd have a good side? - is there something positive it should become? And I think that the ocd does have a good side. It is so tied in with imagination, and it's where all our "what ifs" and "whys" come from - such a rich part of the brain. We're sensitive, keen observers and filled with thought and analysis - if the destructive parts can be weeded out, those are great assets!