Looking for someone to talk to to with OCD:) - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

lynn28 · 10-23-2006, 11:04 PM

Hi there...
I have been struggling with OCD for 9 years now. I am 28 and it is affecting my life in so many ways. I got married recently and my husband is very supportive, and is one of the only people who knows about this. I try and hide it from everyone. I used to go out a lot and this keeps me from "living a normal life." I have an autoimmune disease and was told by a doctor that I need to be VERY careful around sick people. Ever since I was given this advice, I started developing OCD...and it has gotten worse and worse. I am afraid to be around people who are sick...I was my hands ALL of the time...etc, etc. I dont let it get in the way of work, but many of my thoughts that occur at work and on a daily basis cause me anxiety. It is so hard to hide and I REALLY want to get better. If you have any of the same problems as me, please respond. Or, if you have any advice...things that have worked for you or someone you know, could you please tell me? Thanks so much!!!

BadMalibu · 10-24-2006, 09:13 PM

Lynn-

It doesn't surprise me that having an autoimmune disease that requires constant attention to who you're around creates an anxiety response in your mind. Lets not confuse OCD with just being careful. If you have a disease that requires you to be very clean, stay away from sick people, and so forth, simply washing your hands and being attentive to who you're around doesn't mean you have OCD.

I think that the anxiety that you're experiencing is going to be normal for the amount of time you have to put into making sure you take care of your physical health. Thinking about a disease or illness can cause quite a bit of anxiety for anyone, whether it's cancer or something else, so anxiety almost comes along with the territory. OCD is about control. If I wash my hands enough times, I'll be better. If I go here, or avoid this situation, things will be better. The fact is that bad things are going to happen to us all regardless of what we do, where we go, what things in our enviornment we manipulate, it doesn't matter.

My recommendation would be to seek some counseling and see if a Psychologist can help you deal with these anxious thoughts you're having. A light dose of an anti-depressant such as Zoloft or Paxil will help also. But medications are not a cure all and should always be used in conjunction with good therapy...

sobs · 10-27-2006, 02:09 AM

Hi Lynn,

I too have an autoimmune disease, and I am very surprised regarding your doctor's statement to stay away from sick people. This reason being is the nature of autoimmune illnesses. With an autoimmune disease, as I'm sure you know, the immune system attacks your body. An autoimmune illness is like a car locked in the park gear, and then stepping on the gas. The motor revs highly, but that's it. That is what the immune system is doing. For some reason, the immune system has gone into high gear, and does not turn off, as it should. Since you have no "illness" for your immune system to attack, it attacks different systems in your body. Because of this, when I am exposed to a cold or flu, I may get a slight sore throat and stuffy nose, but it almost always goes away within 24 - 36 hours max. It is like my immune system is having a party, because it has an actual illness/germ to fight.

The folks with a non-functioning immune system are the ones who have to stay away from sick people.

I hope this helps. I have had this autoimmune illness for 20 years now, and I have never had any "normal" illness (cold, flu) that lasted more than 36 hours.

sobs