Posted by Dinah on March 22, 2003, at 12:11:45
In reply to mental history, posted by Sarah S on March 22, 2003, at 12:00:53
Sarah,
A lot of what you describe can be accounted for by OCD. That is my main diagnosis, so I have felt some of these things as well. While OCD is mainly an anxiety disorder, it can also manifest itself as shame attacks, especially in the case of a subset of OCD, scrupulousness. And "enthusiasms", throwing yourself into a pursuit, is a natural extension of OCD, but one that isn't necessarily harmful so it doesn't get written up in diagnostic manuals. The way my brain feels, the quality of my thoughts, during an "enthusiasm" and during a shame attack is the same really, as the way it feels during the more standard OCD anxiety attacks. It's hard to explain, but I feel during these episodes like a dog I had who had seizures. I would look into her eyes and realize that she was fully aware of what was happening but had no real control over it. She was scared and I was scared.
But regardless of whether his OCD is flaring up under stress, you have a responsibility to yourself. You have to set limits on what you can accept. You have to realize that his problems are his problems, and only he can be responsible for them. I really hope that he will seek out help, because in my experience OCD is highly treatable with medications and cognitive behavior therapy. Even if he doesn't like the side effects, taking the proper meds during the flare up could be immensely helpful to him.
But at any rate, take care of yourself. If you feel you are in any danger, you have to protect yourself. If you feel overwhelmed, please seek out assistance for yourself in deciding what to do and how to do it.
Best wishes.
poster:Dinah
thread:211273
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030310/msgs/211442.html