It appears you have not yet registered with our community. To register please click here...


 Home Message Boards Videos Join for Free User Blogs Board Index
Search
 
Forgot your username or password?


Mental Health Message Board
Post New Thread   Closed Thread
Share
 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 04-08-2009, 04:07 PM   #1
Newbie
(male)
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1
Hugs: 0
Hugged 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
ghostrider8000 HB User
Question possible ocd/anxiety?

I need help,
I am 26 and for the past 10 years or so I have been struggling internally with my thoughts. I feel the need to obsess about something ALL THE TIME. I tend to focus on one behavior or thought that is generally not noticeable to to anyone. For example, currently I am consciously breathing. I only breath through my nose, and I completely control my breathing. I have been doing this for a couple months now. Before this, I would attempt to simile ALL THE TIME. I would do this until my face muscles felt strained and tight, and I continued. Before that I would clench the muscles of my face, straining, like I was thinking really hard. For some reason I am not sure of, I believe these ritual behaviors are necessary for me to be good enough. I feel if I don't have some "magical" ritual I will fail at work, fail in relationships, fail in sports, and fail in life. However, I also think this is unnatural and I cannot imagine anyone else I know to behave this way. I just have not been able to let go. It seems whatever I am doing it is to distract me from some pain or insecurities, and the more I can distract myself, the more I can focus on the present. Ultimately, I just want to move forward and enjoy my life to the fullest. I seem to be only able to have one obsession/focus at a time. The obsessions seem to focus my attention, and bring me to the present. I think these behaviors might be unnatural, draining to my energy/health, and holding back my potential. I am just wanting to know what is going on with me, if anyone else has experienced this, and what I should do about it. I have been struggling so long and I am not sure what else to do. Thank you for reading this if you have gotten this far! Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

Just to clarify some more, these behaviors seem to be conscious efforts, and they are rooted in some good feeling I have had, or positive realization. I think I latch on to them in attempts of controlling my reality. I have had probably 20 or so rituals, and at some point in all of them I decide that they are crazy and I move into another obsessions. I think it sounds completely insane. I just haven't not been able to stop! Somewhere I believe its helping, and the little voice that says its crazy can't speak loud enough, or make enough logical sense to stop the cycle.

Its as though I feel without some behavior or constant effort I will melt into depression or anxiety or loneliness or insanity. When I say constant effort, I mean I am only not focus intently on my obsession when I am asleep. The moment I awaken, I clench on to my current habit.

Am I mentally medicating myself for some dysfunction in my mind with these behaviors. I'm exhausted...

I hope someone can help.

Thanks again.

Ghostrider8000

 
Sponsors Lightbulb
   
Old 04-10-2009, 08:46 PM   #2
Member
(female)
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 51
Hugs: 0
Hugged 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
WantToManage HB User
Re: possible ocd/anxiety?

Hi Ghostrider -- I'm not a doctor, but it does sound to me like this could be OCD. I believe that OCD can often be tied up with anxiety. I have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and I also have some mild OCD rituals (lock checking, checking for keys, etc.) and I agree with you that these rituals are about trying to control our reality. I know how exhausting anxiety/OCD can be, and how it can consume your life.

You've come to a good place here, and I encourage you to read other people's stories on these boards. You may find good ideas and you'll also find comfort in knowing there are lots of other people out there who suffer with these types of issues. Check out the OCD and anxiety boards on this site.

I've suffered with anxiety most of my life, but it wasn't till last January that I finally sought help from my doctor because I started having full-blown panic attacks for the first time. I'm now taking Lexapro and it's helping me a lot.

There are many ways to deal with OCD and anxiety through various therapies and/or medications. I'd suggest that you start by talking to your doctor.

Best of luck to you, and please keep us posted -- I'm confident you'll be able to overcome this challenge!

 
Closed Thread

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Board Replies Last Post
I have Severe Anxiety and Need help. resQuS Anxiety 3 05-14-2010 11:34 AM
Exercise Anxiety bratforlife Anxiety 2 04-21-2010 05:37 AM
Your thoughts on possible anxiety? dduff Anxiety 7 06-25-2009 10:19 AM
Uncertain about possible acute panic attack and anxiety -- Any input?(long) kerry4 Anxiety 4 10-13-2007 10:37 PM
So is it actually possible for anxiety to go away? iheartvitaminc Anxiety 5 09-06-2006 04:35 PM
Anxiety/stress? Or possible pregnancy? doublev Pregnancy-Teen 5 08-29-2006 08:50 AM
Is it possible to be diagnosed with Bipolar and ??? Sternomaniac Bipolar Disorder 11 08-08-2006 12:31 PM
Is it possible....??? Need advice!!! delcy Anxiety 3 01-20-2006 06:12 AM
A little story about (possible) paranoia Lectus Bipolar Disorder 9 12-15-2003 05:01 PM




Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off









Top 10 Drugs Discussed on this Board.
(Go to DrugTalk.com for complete list)
Celexa
Effexor
Klonopin Lexapro
Paxil
  Prozac
Valium
Wellbutrin
Xanax
Zoloft


Message Boards
  • Open to All Other Health Topics
  • It's Life - Off Topic Discussions
  • Natural Disaster Sympathies and Support
  • Health News
  • HealthBoards Testimonials
  • Suggestions for New Boards
  • Registration/Membership/Site Problems
  • Health Issues
  • General Health
  • Abuse Support
  • Acid Reflux / GERD
  • Acne
  • Share Your Acne Story
  • Acne Tips
  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
  • ADD / ADHD
  • Addiction & Recovery
  • Addison's Disease
  • Aging Issues
  • Allergies
  • Alternative Medicine
  • Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia
  • Amputation / Prosthetic
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Anemia
  • Aneurysm
  • Anger Management
  • Angina
  • Anxiety
  • Share Your Anxiety Story
  • Anxiety Tips
  • Arthritis
  • Asperger's Syndrome
  • Asthma
  • Autism Spectrum
  • Autoimmune Disorders
  • Back Problems
  • Beauty & Cosmetics
  • Bell's Palsy
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Birth Control
  • Blood and Blood Vessel
  • Bone Disorders
  • Bowel Disorders
  • Brain & Head Injury
  • Brain & Nervous System Disorders
  • Brain Tumors
  • Breastfeeding
  • Burns & Injuries
  • Cancer
  • Cancer: Bladder
  • Cancer: Bone
  • Cancer: Brain
  • Cancer: Breast
  • Cancer: Cervical & Ovarian
  • Cancer: Colon
  • Cancer: Esophageal
  • Cancer: Kidney
  • Cancer: Lung
  • Cancer: Oral
  • Cancer: Pancreatic & Liver
  • Cancer: Prostate
  • Cancer: Rectal & Anal
  • Cancer: Skin
  • Cancer: Stomach
  • Cancer: Testicular
  • Cancer: Throat
  • Cancer: Thyroid
  • Cancer: Uterine
  • Candida
  • Caregivers
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Celiac Disease
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Children - Special Needs
  • Children's Health
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Codependency
  • Colds & Flu
  • Swine Flu (H1N1)
  • Cosmetic / Plastic Surgery
  • Costochondritis
  • Crohn's Disease / Ulcerative Colitis
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Death & Dying
  • Degenerative Diseases
  • Dental Health
  • Depression
  • Share Your Depression Story
  • Depression Tips
  • Diabetes
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Digestive Disorders
  • Disabilities
  • Divorce & Separation
  • Dizziness / Vertigo
  • Down Syndrome
  • Drug Interactions
  • Dyslexia
  • Dysphagia
  • Ear, Nose & Throat
  • Eating Disorder Recovery
  • Endocrine Disorders
  • Endometriosis
  • Environmental Disorders
  • Epilepsy
  • Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
  • Exercise & Fitness
  • Eye & Vision
  • Family & Friends of Cancer Patients
  • Family & Friends of the Mentally Ill
  • Family Planning / Adoption
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Foot Problems
  • Gallbladder
  • Genetic Disorders
  • Grief & Loss
  • Hair Loss / Alopecia
  • Hair Problems
  • Headaches & Migraines
  • Health Insurance Issues
  • Healthcare Professionals
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Hearing Disorders
  • Heart Disorders
  • Hepatitis
  • Hernia
  • Herpes
  • High & Low Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • HIV Prevention
  • HIV/AIDS Living With
  • Hormone Problems
  • Hospice
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Hypochondria
  • Hysterectomy
  • Immune Disorders
  • Incontinence
  • Infant Care (up to 18 months old)
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Infertility
  • Share Your Infertility Story
  • Inner Ear Disorders
  • Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Kidney Disorders
  • Knee & Hip Problems
  • Lasik Eye Surgery
  • Learning Disorders
  • Leukemia
  • Liver & Pancreas Disorders
  • Lung & Respiratory Disorders / COPD
  • Lupus
  • Lyme Disease
  • Share Your Lyme Disease Story
  • Lymphedema
  • Lymphomas
  • Men's Health
  • Menopause
  • Mental Health
  • Mesothelioma
  • Military Health Issues
  • Miscarriage & Still Birth
  • Mononucleosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Myositis
  • Nail Problems
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Neurology
  • Neuromuscular Diseases
  • Neuropathy
  • Nutritional Disorders
  • Obesity
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Occupational Health & Safety
  • Orthopedic
  • Osteoporosis
  • Pain Management
  • Chronic Pain
  • Share Your Pain Management Story
  • Panic Disorders
  • Paralysis
  • Parenting Issues
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Personality Disorder
  • Phobias
  • Pituitary Disease
  • Polio
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Postpartum Depression (PPD)
  • Pregnancy
  • Share Your Pregnancy Story
  • Pregnancy Tips
  • 2010 Mommies
  • 2011 Mommies
  • Pregnancy-Teen
  • Prostatitis
  • Psoriasis
  • Rape / Sexual Abuse
  • Rare Disorders
  • Raynaud's Syndrome
  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
  • Relationship Health
  • Restless Leg Syndrome
  • Rosacea
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Schizophrenia
  • Scoliosis
  • Self-injury Recovery
  • Senior Health
  • Sexual Dysfunction Treatment
  • Sexual Health - General
  • Sexual Health - Men
  • Sexual Health - Teens
  • Sexual Health - Women
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases
  • Shingles
  • Shoulder / Rotator Cuff Problems
  • Shyness
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Sinus Problems
  • Sjögren's Syndrome
  • Skin Problems
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Speech & Language Disorders
  • Spinal Cord Disorders
  • Stress
  • Stroke
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
  • Teen Health
  • Thyroid Disorders
  • TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Transplants
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Trying to Conceive (TTC)
  • Urology
  • Vaccination & Immunization
  • Vitamins & Supplements
  • Weight Loss
  • Weight Loss / Surgical
  • West Nile Virus
  • Women's Health



  • TOP THANKED CONTRIBUTORS

    Mental Health

    flamesabers (7), katlin09 (3), GatsbyLuvr1920 (3), Leo123 (3), opple (3), jennybyc (2), Toonces1 (2), curiouslearner (2), remedy800 (2), amygdala (2)

    Site Wide Totals

    thanbey (581), janewhite1 (528), BlueSkies14 (511), SpineAZ (484), DGabriel10 (465), mscat40 (419), tetonteri66 (419), jennybyc (402), sammy64 (390), jgrangran (362)

    All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:04 PM.



    Site owned and operated by HealthBoards.com™
    Copyright and Terms of Use © 1998-2012 HealthBoards.com™ All rights reserved.
    Do not copy or redistribute in any form!


    SEO by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.