How did finding out about your OCD change things?

[Dudley]

I'm curious. I'm sure in the past (before you knew you had OCD) you suspected that something was wrong.

My question is just the title of the thread: How did finding out you have OCD change your anxieties (if at all)?

For me, it was like the puppet seeing the strings. I was completely terrified at first. Over all though, it was good to know. Now when I constantly check my alarm clock or make pointless lists I at least know the cause.

 

[IDK94657]

I knew all along that I had it or at least thought I did. It never bothered me but when I inexplicably started doing inane stuff then I knew what the cause was. It doesn't really change my perception of anything, unless I'm having a bad day.

 

[dooby-duck]

It was really enlightening really and put a few more pieces into the jigsaw. I thought I just had a mild case at first until I found out about the thoughts side of OCD. It is quite reassuring to be able to put a name to it and to be able to read up on it. It is good to know your enemy.

 

[Dudley]

It is good to know your enemy.

I actually hadn't thought of it that way but I really like it.

 

[TurboCarGirl]

i was happy in a way. i wasnt crazy after all...it can really hurt a 13 yr old if she doesnt know why her mind is being..ahem mean.

 

[Noca]

It helped me control my compulsions but my obessions and hoarding are still the same.

 

[JCS008]

It made me realize I'm not crazy. But at the same time, I used it as a crutch to justify certain tendancies and actions I've done.

 

[TurboCarGirl]

once i found out i just started taking medicenes..this year though i came off my meds and im working on getting over certain habits and trying to strengthin my mind against ocd. ive been reading about it alot lately..it has a big effect on my life..

 

[scottishpacfan]

When i would walk past parked cars then think i spat on them when i obv didnt then as the day went on my reality would be"I Spat On A car, Why would i do that? Im Not That Kind Of Person" and it would really torment me. not good

 

[isabelle]

well it was kind of depressing to realize that normal people have such a more easy and beautiful life...it's almost understandable why they are so happy and full of energy

 

[sandra B.]

I always thought that something was wrong with me until a few weeks ago when I started to search the net and found all this info about OCD. It made me feel better to know that I'm actually not crazy and that many people are suffering from OCD.
I have the symptoms every day and many times during the day. mostly the counting problem and doing things over and over again until it feels right. And i get the thought that if I dont do it then something really bad will happen to my loved ones. sometimes I also get horrible thoughts.
i am 28 now and have been living with OCD since i was 12-13 maybe. it changed over the years, things disappeared and other things started. It has never really made me going crazy, only sometimes at work when something could be done in 20min and I needed one hour because of my compulsive behaviour of doing it over and over again.

But I must say that since knowing about the condition and knowing that it is a mental illness i am more able to control the things and say to myself: "no stop it it is "only" OCD, nothing bad will happen." and then I dont do it and the thought disappears and 90% of the time it doesnt keep on bothering me. and there's things i just do out of habit...and suddenly I realize that I've done it again and i try to remember next time not to do it anymore.

I dont know if it this will be as easy as it looks like (probably not) and that i can just keep on going ignoring the "orders" of doing something. but I hope that by knowing what i have i somehow can improve my life and ignore at least some of the thoughts...

all the best to all of you.

 

[TheSilentOne]

It was like... Omg im not crazy but at the same time i am lol it was a huge relief to know i was not alone