Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Suggestions for New Boards Message Board

JenniferJay · 01-01-2001, 04:13 PM

Help me out!
I know that the one person I love the most in my life struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I don't know what the "Obsession" is that he deals with, but it manifests it self (the "compulsion") through him washing his hands in scalding hot water so many times during a day, and when he washes them, he does it for at least a minute and a half each time.
He won't touch certain things, like the cuboard that's under the sink, where the trash can is. Or light switches, especially in the bathrooms. He'll pick up something else and use that thing to turn off the light switch, so he doesn't have to touch it directly. I've noticed that when he's washing his hands in the bathroom, he'll turn off the light and open the door, so he won't have to touch anything in there after he's done washing his hands.
He hasn't told me about his struggle with this...but I'm not stupid. I've noticed.
I don't know if he's afraid that I'll leave him, or that I won't love him, or if he's afraid I'll think he's a freak.
He's the most wonderful guy I've ever met. But I want to know if there's a way I could approach him, or should I pray and wait that he says something to me?
And when that happens, what kind of help is available out there and how do I get him to USE that help available? OCD can become serious and debilitating. Has anyone out there struggled with it as well? Any advice?
Thank you so much.
Jennifer

01-01-2001, 04:46 PM

i have ocd too , i need help

JenniferJay · 01-01-2001, 05:48 PM

To Chillin408,
If you don't mind me asking, what is your OCD? And what is keeping you from seeking help?
Thanks for your honesty.
Jennifer

h_lynn · 01-03-2001, 02:16 PM

Jennifer,
I can't say I personally know what you are going thru but I can tell you this. My brother was just recently diagnosed with OCD and he has been taking Serzone. It is like he is a different man. He can finally sit down and enjoy life. Suggesting medication may not be an option since he himself hasn't yet shared this with you but I can definitely say it has made the world of difference. The particular medication may not be the right one but there are some out there. I personally took Serzone after I lost a baby, I was on it for depression and I didn't like it. I am currently on Zoloft which is also used for OCD and I could be wrong but I think Paxil may be also. Good luck, just remember you can't help until either you or he brings the subject up..

babesbarn · 01-22-2001, 04:36 PM

Sometimes I hate to admit it but I am a Checker Compulsive person. I know my mother use to do this as she use to always go back inside the house to check the gas for fires and such. It was annoying to my father. We six children got use to it. But when I was 32 I started going back to school and I realized I was returning back to my locker to see if it was locked.This was very frustrating as I did this several times and I had to sometimes travel all the way across a parking lot to return to the building IN THE RAIN and SNOW! So to solve the problem there..I did not keep anything in the locker.
Then I found that I would recheck my portfolio for pictures and it grew to other things. And then when I moved to my present house I have to check the door for it being locked when I leave. And the coffee pot. I cut back alot on it by telling myself to TRUST that I always am careful and to LET IT GO. I went fifty miles one way and then back another fifty to check my coffee pot to see if I left it on...didn't.
I hate this! My husband is patient. I do not in any way have this a horrible as some of you as I know that I have a minor case of it. I think I got this because I smoked pot in the late 70's. for two years. But then I remember my mom.