Re: Focus on bodily fuctions/books/diet - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

dannic1 · 01-06-2008, 12:24 PM

Hi all,

Is there any book that states that focus on normal bodily functions is actually an OCD symptom? I have found one book - just wondering what other material is out there for me to read? I am currently in therapy. My therapist has me writing down my thoughts to get them out onto paper and to challenge them to help with the "closed loop" thinking. She also has me identifying the irrational thought behind a "trigger thought" and then to find a rational response. I'm still not on meds., but there are days I'm wondering if I should try one? I have also found a registered dietician who knows how to increase serotonin through diet - has anyone found success with changing their diet or through exercise? I have the wonderfully annoying "swallowing" obsession, which had left me for 26 years and then decided to come back again. I've had all different signs/symptoms throughout my life, but this one is the pits. The other two I seem to have right now are checking stove knobs and checking the garage door to make sure that it's shut. I also have this odd little quirk. I keep my right foot slightly elevated, like keep my heel up, sometimes when I'm standing. I have no idea why I do this! lol I also like to count my food as I'm eating and for whatever reason, like to eat only even amounts of foods. I've noticed some social anxiety along with my OCD, which I have read is pretty normal. I'm a woman of great faith and it sustains me through all of this craziness.

danni

motherofOCD · 01-07-2008, 12:30 PM

Danni, I'm wondering if you would mind sharing more about your swallowing issue. My daughter has developed a new obsessive-compulsive thing where she can't bring herself to swallow her spit. It happened over Christmas break and today was her first day back at school so I've been worried about her all day. This is her first ritual (I guess?) that is going to be a big problem for her in public. I'm working on finding her a psychologist who does CBT or can refer her to someone who does.

I did find a book online last night that has a case description of a girl who wouldn't swallow her spit who was first diagnosed with an eating disorder. She was afraid of the germs that her saliva might contain. I don't think it's exactly what you are looking for though:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Casebook
By John H. Greist, James W. Jefferson

dannic1 · 01-18-2008, 08:11 PM

Hi,

Sorry for the late response. I haven't been on the health board in awhile.

Mine is sort of a "focus" on my swallowing. I had it back in high school under a lot of anxiety and after a total change in my living situation. I moved from one state to another and started living with my mother, grandmother and my step-father. I think mine is sort of a fear of swallowing too much, which I have read is an OCD symptom. I read it in a book called Confronting the Bully of OCD by Linda Maran. It went away shortly after I graduated high school and I went about 26 years without it. I think I've always had OCD and have just had differnt forms of it throughout the years, without knowing what it was that I had. Back in around March of 2006, I had met a man over the internet. I guess the relationship was causing me anxiety and then the focus on my swallowing came back. I have learned to sort of re-focus my brain and stop the constant thinking of my swallowing, oddly enough, by chewing gum. Even if I don't chew it, if I just have it in my mouth, it seems to help me to relax and stop obsessing. I seem to be doing a lot better now with my behavior therapy. I found my therapist by going on the OCD Foundation's website. I am also a huge believer in the healing power of prayer.

Please let me know if I can help you in any other way. OCD is such an odd disorder and can take on virtually any form, I have been told, as unique as the person themselves.

Blessings to you - your daughter is in my thoughts and my prayers.

danni

motherofOCD · 01-19-2008, 08:31 AM

Thanks Danni.

I found a psychologist on the OCFoundation website. Unfortunately she is not taking new patients right now, but she gave me a couple of recommendations and my daughter now has an appointment scheduled which is a huge relief. She had to wait two weeks, but it is so hard to find anybody trained in the treatment of OCD that there was really an option to the wait.

dannic1 · 01-21-2008, 07:38 PM

motherofocd,

I'm so glad that you now have an appointment. It will open the road up to helping your daughter - you are on the right track. I, unfortunately, had to miss therapy today, because I was feeling under the weather. However, I have "homework" to do for my therapist.

If you don't mind my asking, why is she afraid to swallow? Mine is more like a fear of judgement - like people noticing that I might swallow more frequently than normal. I know we all swallow throughout the day, but I think somehow I just became "focused" on it again - like blinking - we don't notice and we all do it throughout the day. I used to feel so "normal" - I hadn't focused on my swallowing since high school - several years ago. Stress is a precursor to so much. Stress triggered this episode. If you don't mind sharing, what do you feel triggered the episode in your daughter? After my daughter was born 9 years ago, it was the obsession with not being around second-hand smoke. Mine wax and wane - come and go. I pray that "this too shall pass". I keep my faith and pray for God to take this disorder from me. My faith sustains me. : )

Blessings to you and your daughter,

danni