Posted by nolegirl23 on March 21, 2007, at 20:00:18
In reply to Re: My understanding of OCD, posted by Joe Bloe on March 21, 2007, at 12:43:35
> I may be wrong, but I think there is an obsessive component and an impulsive component.
>
> I have the obsessive component: repeating thoughts over in my head like clockwork, until I am overcome with anxiety and even panic. This is the ideation aspect, that for me, doesn't cross the threshold into compulsive activity (at least in any apparent way).
>
> The compulsion might be explained as a practice or physical action undertaken to remove or surmount the obsessive idea. The individual comes to believe that a particular action, although it may be unrelated to the original obsessive ideation, must be undertaken repeatedly to ward off or overcome the original thought.
>
> In this regard, the compulsion may also become an obsession and has the capability to spin out of control, devouring a person's life experience.
>
> This is how I've understood it from growing up around a relative with debilitating OCD.I agree with this poster, I have been diagnosed with OCD. The majority of my symptoms are of an obsessive nature. Obsessional thinking tends to be my biggest issue. I obsess over things that I have no control over, thoughts and fears repeat over and over again and I can't get them out of my head. The fears that I obsess over cause me great anxiety and panic.
I do have some of the compulsive components as well, When I am getting out of my car, I walk around my car and try to open every door to ensure that it is locked.. When I get really stressed or anxious, I count, and it is a specific count, one one-thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand, and when I get to 4, I start over again. I also freak out if I miss a day at the gym.. I obsess over going to the gym all day, and if for some reason I think I can't go, I am overwhelmed with anxiety. I usually end up leaving work to make sure that I go to the gym..
I guess OCD is different for each of us.
poster:nolegirl23
thread:742798
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070320/msgs/743010.html