Re: Is this OCD? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

Jason_23 · 05-21-2007, 06:44 AM

Well here I am again back at square one, after a couple of months my swallowing has just reappeared all of a sudden. It was so great when I was unable to think about swallowing although I did have another minor ocd thing to think about, but it wasn't as bad as the swallowing. This swallowing thing is annoying me so much, I can't stand it, I just want to be able to sit down and relax. I can't relax and do simple things like watching tv without having to think about swallowing. The difference between yesterday and today is unbelievable, yesterday I was hardly thinking about it now I'm thinking about it basically all the time. I think I triggered it off again by thinking what if it comes back and I think of it all the time, which is exactly what happened. What does one do to get rid of this. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH. IT"S DRIVING ME NUTS. PLEASE SOMEBODY COME UP WITH A MIRACLE CURE.

dannic1 · 05-23-2007, 06:48 PM

Hey Jason23,

Sorry to hear that it came back again. I think for me, exercise has helped quite a bit. Are you exercising at all? I also went and got a massage Saturday and it seemed to help and relax me. I totally understand about trying to watch t.v. and wanting to just RELAX, but how the thoughts keep popping into your head. If it helps, I understand what you are going through. Are you stressed out more than usual? From everything I have read from other people who have had our problem and from my own personal experience, it seems to get worse during periods of stress. Have you thought about trying medication? Chewing gum really helps me a lot. You are in my thoughts and my prayers.

danni

Jason_23 · 05-25-2007, 03:32 AM

Hi Danni

I don't do enough exercise regularly enough. I've been thinking of joining a gym which probably is a good idea as I've heard that exercise can be a good thing. Today i've had a reasonably better day not letting it get to me, I think that's how I stopped thinking about swallowing last time, by not worrying about it so much. With any luck this time will be the same.

Jason_23 · 05-27-2007, 05:39 AM

Hi Danni

Just wondering if you can explain a bit about biofeedback therapy, if you could that would be most appreciated. I think I have seen something in one of your posts before that explains something about biofeedback therapy. I'd rather not take medication and I would rather try and find other ways to deal with it, although if things weren't working out, I guess I would consider medication. I am still aware of swallowing 24/7 but I can control it and I am dealing with it ok, it can just be so annoying at times.

dannic1 · 05-28-2007, 03:40 PM

Hi Jason23,

I really think we are going through stress or anxiety - I don't know if what we are suffering from is actually OCD or not? I have days where it goes away completely and I think to myself, what did I do differently and I think it is just simply NOT allowing yourself to worry about the problem. Just curious- do you have days where it's hard to relax? I get that way sometimes - never used to be that way. I think we focus on our own bodies too much - maybe that is OCD, I don't really know. Mine went away on its own in high school. I said a lot of prayers back then as well. The biofeedback is like playing video games with your own brain and sort of "re-training" it to think differently. I'm not a therapist, so I can't really explain it in detail, but I do know that the protocol for OCD is simply treating you for anxiety. It did help me with the anxiety A LOT and I truly need to have more done. I need to get back into my exercising again as well - I stopped for a couple of evenings and I can definitely feel the difference. I also had to cut back on my caffeine again. I recently got a new dog over the weekend (have two already and am babysitting one) and it has been stressing me out some!
Try to find someone board certified in biofeedback. My therapist said that it might help to shift the brain some - I guess meaning with my thoughts.

danni