twiceshy
01-08-2008, 10:33 AM
Living with OCD is an unceasing mental exercise. Irrational thoughts are launched from every direction. With four pounds of neural tissue resting on our shoulders, surely we're equipped to deal with the onslaught. Why not see it as an opportunity to strengthen one's mind rather than cower from it?
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BadMalibu
01-08-2008, 02:17 PM
Twice-
I personally think that there are better ways to "excercise" my mind other than obsessing over something for hours and hours. There's a real difference between doing some good mental excercises and OCD. You can strengthen your mind by going to CBT to treat your OCD, and that would be a better way to strengthen your mind.:D
I personally think that there are better ways to "excercise" my mind other than obsessing over something for hours and hours. There's a real difference between doing some good mental excercises and OCD. You can strengthen your mind by going to CBT to treat your OCD, and that would be a better way to strengthen your mind.:D
motherofOCD
01-08-2008, 07:23 PM
I agree with BadMalibu. People can change the actual structure of their brain through CBT, but it generally has to happen in conjunction with a therapist. Personally, I don't like the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" mentality. It's belittling to people who deal with the pain of living with a mental disorder.
CatGirl1975
01-08-2008, 07:37 PM
I agree with BadMalibu. People can change the actual structure of their brain through CBT, but it generally has to happen in conjunction with a therapist. Personally, I don't like the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" mentality. It's belittling to people who deal with the pain of living with a mental disorder.
I agree with you...I hate having this...I miss being happy, enjoying life, not being able to do things that are fun, not being able to hug people, being too afraid of germs, intrustive thoughts and feeling alone in a big scary world...It's so easy for people to say "Pull yourself togeather, "Get over it", "You don't have that", or "You will be fine" when they have no idea what they are talking about!
I agree with you...I hate having this...I miss being happy, enjoying life, not being able to do things that are fun, not being able to hug people, being too afraid of germs, intrustive thoughts and feeling alone in a big scary world...It's so easy for people to say "Pull yourself togeather, "Get over it", "You don't have that", or "You will be fine" when they have no idea what they are talking about!
dksea
01-09-2008, 03:21 AM
I agree with you...I hate having this...I miss being happy, enjoying life, not being able to do things that are fun, not being able to hug people, being too afraid of germs, intrustive thoughts and feeling alone in a big scary world...It's so easy for people to say "Pull yourself togeather, "Get over it", "You don't have that", or "You will be fine" when they have no idea what they are talking about!
Exactly! No one says "Get over it!" when you have diabetes or "Pull yourself together" during an asthma attack. I really wish people would acknowledge that some problems of the mind aren't things you just work through.
Exactly! No one says "Get over it!" when you have diabetes or "Pull yourself together" during an asthma attack. I really wish people would acknowledge that some problems of the mind aren't things you just work through.
seriousperson
01-13-2008, 04:43 AM
While I too am annoyed by the "Get over it!" remarks/thinking in relation to OCD, I didn't take the first post of this thread to mean that. I thought it meant to try to look at the plus side of OCD -- like I'm sure there have been many famous inventors who had OCD. Thinking of Thomas Alva Edison of light bulb fame, who said genius is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. For me it's more like 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration/obsessing when I get genius-level results with normal-level thinking plus unnatural stick-to-it-tiveness.
christabel7
01-13-2008, 05:25 AM
Hi! Please tell me what CBT is . Thanks! Christabel7
BadMalibu
01-14-2008, 01:22 PM
Hi! Please tell me what CBT is . Thanks! Christabel7
CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.:D
CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.:D
twiceshy
01-14-2008, 01:30 PM
While I too am annoyed by the "Get over it!" remarks/thinking in relation to OCD, I didn't take the first post of this thread to mean that. I thought it meant to try to look at the plus side of OCD -- like I'm sure there have been many famous inventors who had OCD. Thinking of Thomas Alva Edison of light bulb fame, who said genius is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration. For me it's more like 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration/obsessing when I get genius-level results with normal-level thinking plus unnatural stick-to-it-tiveness.
You've a brilliant and discerning mind, seriousperson and I'm glad you noticed that distinction. Some of us have developed methods to combat our condition, i.e. Benjamin01 in "WHY do I think this way????" topic. No question medication is necessary for severe cases as a means to get a grip on the out-of-control-ferris-wheel of a mind. However, for most of us nearer the center of the bell curve, removing the batteries from a smoke detector doesn't put out the fire.
You've a brilliant and discerning mind, seriousperson and I'm glad you noticed that distinction. Some of us have developed methods to combat our condition, i.e. Benjamin01 in "WHY do I think this way????" topic. No question medication is necessary for severe cases as a means to get a grip on the out-of-control-ferris-wheel of a mind. However, for most of us nearer the center of the bell curve, removing the batteries from a smoke detector doesn't put out the fire.
motherofOCD
01-17-2008, 01:16 AM
Perhaps I was too liberal in my interpretation of the original poster's comments, but based on what I witness in my child I just don't think a seriously out of control bout of OCD can be shaken off with simple mind over matter. Not without a lot of guidance from a psychologist trained in the treatment of OCD.
Also, just as an aside, I've never read anything that convinced me that Edison had any OCD tendencies. Tesla, absolutely, but he wasn't nearly as successful as Edison was.
Also, just as an aside, I've never read anything that convinced me that Edison had any OCD tendencies. Tesla, absolutely, but he wasn't nearly as successful as Edison was.
nikki16
01-17-2008, 01:42 PM
I didn't take any offense to the original post whatsoever. Not only is it wise to try and find some positives in having OCD, it's ESSENTIAL. This disorder is a part of us whether we like it or not. There are traits that in us that I'm sure compound OCD (overly-sensitive, analytical, deeply caring, intelligent). I like having those traits, they make me who I am. The fact that OCD tends to strike people like us, well, I take that as a positive. I also subscribe to the notion that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
I'm sure many of you have asked the question "why me??", "what have I done to deserve this??" I know I have! The only way I can answer that question is to find the positives, otherwise I'd just be giving up.
I'm sure many of you have asked the question "why me??", "what have I done to deserve this??" I know I have! The only way I can answer that question is to find the positives, otherwise I'd just be giving up.
CatGirl1975
01-17-2008, 08:13 PM
I didn't take any offense to the original post whatsoever. Not only is it wise to try and find some positives in having OCD, it's ESSENTIAL. This disorder is a part of us whether we like it or not. There are traits that in us that I'm sure compound OCD (overly-sensitive, analytical, deeply caring, intelligent). I like having those traits, they make me who I am. The fact that OCD tends to strike people like us, well, I take that as a positive. I also subscribe to the notion that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
I'm sure many of you have asked the question "why me??", "what have I done to deserve this??" I know I have! The only way I can answer that question is to find the positives, otherwise I'd just be giving up.
Nikki-
Thank you for reminding me of this...I often forget about the good things I have to offer myself, my family and to society..Somebody made me feel bad about myself tonight, I don't think on purpose, but it triggered my anxiety..I can't help that OCD holds me back from doing things, but I know that I am a good person, a wonderful wife and great mother!
I'm sure many of you have asked the question "why me??", "what have I done to deserve this??" I know I have! The only way I can answer that question is to find the positives, otherwise I'd just be giving up.
Nikki-
Thank you for reminding me of this...I often forget about the good things I have to offer myself, my family and to society..Somebody made me feel bad about myself tonight, I don't think on purpose, but it triggered my anxiety..I can't help that OCD holds me back from doing things, but I know that I am a good person, a wonderful wife and great mother!
dannic1
01-18-2008, 10:20 PM
I think it is very important to find value in this disorder. For me personally, I think it's making my faith in God stronger. I don't claim to understand this disorder or why it flared up again in me, but I simply tell myself that perhaps God made me different - a little bit special. I'm still valuable, in spite of my little oddities! : )
For me, I am definitely a perfectionist and a very sensitive person - I want to be a people-pleaser and want everyone to like me, which I know is an irrational thought. The world just doesn't work that way. My biggest fear is of being judged by others.
Hopefully, I just can live each day one day at a time, keep doing my behavior therapy, keep praying and keep fighting this OCD bully every day. "This too shall pass", I believe.
Blessings,
danni
For me, I am definitely a perfectionist and a very sensitive person - I want to be a people-pleaser and want everyone to like me, which I know is an irrational thought. The world just doesn't work that way. My biggest fear is of being judged by others.
Hopefully, I just can live each day one day at a time, keep doing my behavior therapy, keep praying and keep fighting this OCD bully every day. "This too shall pass", I believe.
Blessings,
danni