How to get rid of the obsessions? Related to panic disorder? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

AtlantaGrits · 10-27-2006, 09:54 AM

New here - read of this site in a magazine.

I knew I had compulsive tendencies – though they aren’t big – but I recently decided I actually have obsessive tendencies too (mainly from watching the special feature on The Aviator DVD). For several years I have had thoughts/visions of catastrophic things happening to my loved ones. These things enter my head without my making them appear. It is so uncomfortable and frightening. So I frequently walk around with this fear that something will happen to my family – not ordinary stuff but something disastrous and horrible. The thoughts can be sparked by something in the news, which I then translate to a family member, or by some upcoming event, like a vacation. Sometimes by nothing. This has bothered me for so long, rather frequently, and I would like to get rid of it.

I never related this “symptom” to OCD but now believe it is the “O” part. How can I stop obsessing, especially since I don’t ask for these thoughts and fears? Acknowledging that such terrible things are extremely unlikely to happen is a logical sane thought process, but the thoughts are logical and don’t pay attention to such self-talk.

After reading a few threads here, it seems that fearing bad things happening to yourself may be more common. I have few of these.

The compulsive part evidences itself primarily in having to constantly check that doors are locked (both staying in for the night and leaving the house) and oven burners are turned off. Lately, I’m beginning to think that I am overly concerned with cleanliness, and neatness – while trying to sell our house, we have kept the place very clean and neat every day, and now if we DON’T show the house for a day or two, the resulting mess, which isn’t really very much, bothers me too much. I still say this is less troubling than the obsessive thoughts.

Does anyone have any idea whether OCD might be related to Panic Disorder? I have had it for about 10 years, although it is not major (but still uncomfortable occasionally).

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

steveo23 · 10-27-2006, 02:24 PM

Hey

Yeah, what you describe is actually very common, and is consistent with OCD. If OCD ever responded to rational self talk, it would be the easiest thing in the world to treat. A lot of people find it effective to let the thoughts be there, no matter how disturbing, without actually engaging with them. It can take some practice, which is why therapy exists to help people with this. You may not find you can control the occurence of thoughts, but you can control reaction to them. Usually, as a result of this, the thoughts subside somewhat and dont cause as much distress.

Sometimes, people diagnosed with one anxiety disorder (like Panic Disorder) may also have another anxiety disorder, or at least traits of one. Panic Disorder and OCD, as well as things like generalized and social anxiety are all closely related. They are all characterized by pathological anxiety, its just that this underlying anxiety problem can express itself differently in various people. While one person is predominantly OCD and another person suffers from frequent panic attacks is one for the experts. But yeah, symptoms do overlap with quite a lot of people.

Its always best to speak to your doctor about these things, as they are in the know (most of em) and can best advise you. It might be worthwhile talking to your doc about the OCD side of things.

Steve