Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Thank you for responding! Is it completely caused by chemical imbalance or are there psychological reasons that can play a part too? I'm glad you've found a method that helps you control your disorder. It's a shame we have to put chemicals into our bodies though isn't it? I'm taking Citalopram already for depression. I don't know if upping the dose would help me. I've been going through an extra stressful time lately and the doctor also gave me some valium to take as and when I feel I need it, but I don't want to be taking it very often because of the horror stories I've heard about how addictive it can be.

I can only assume that is is similar to panic disorder syndrome in that one feeds the other. You can become "acclimated" to the problem; that is, once you begin a certain "response" you can develop a habit to do it whenever that specific situation arises. I'm confusing myself here, so I'll try to make it simpler. When I would have a panic attack, I tended to get panic attacks whenever I was in the same situation, like grocery shopping or driving or something like that. So, the problem that began as a chemical imbalance began to take on psychological characteristics; i.e. I developed a psychological response to the previous attack. The "fear" of having another attack in that same situation (grocery shopping, etc.) would actually bring on an attack. So, yes, I believe that there can be psychological causes along with the chemical ones. But I don't think that problems like OCD or PDS begin as a psychological problem; they are strictly chemical-based at first. Does that make any sense? Also, you are very wise about how you take the valium. It is extremely addictive! I was addicted to it a long time ago and swore never to take even one again, no matter how much I could benefit from it. I was on them for a couple of months because of a series of surgeries from cancer when I was 19 years old. I was so freaked by it that they put me on valium and before I knew it I was totally hooked on them. Never again! I don't think taking them occasionally would hurt, though. I wish you the best! Take care!

Thanks, there's a lot of good information there. Stress definitely heightens the symptoms of OCD. Avoiding horror or suspense would be a difficult one as my partner and I both watch horror and thriller films together. I suppose it's about coping mechanisms and how to manage stressful situations as well as general physical and mental health. Thanks. I hope you're doing much better now.

I wouldn't have thought it was genetic, but I couldn't say for sure. I suppose everyone has their own little O.C.D. tendencies, but it's worse in some people than others. Have any of the people you've known tried therapy for it?

Wow, that's really severe and sad. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope he's doing better now too.

Yes, it is genetic. It is not however hereditary. Meaning you are born with it but you did not get it from your parents. But they say that kids with OCD parents has a high risk of being genetically OC. My father has OCD. At one point, he didn't leave the room for more than a month. He eats, and do his bladder business in the room.

Do you think that once you have OCD, you'll have it for life and can't ever get rid of it, only learn to manage the symptoms better?

Possible side effects of anti-OCD medicines are weight gain. Some people feel sluggish but it goes away the more you take the medicine. Also, never quit ahead of what the doctor tells you. You may think your symptoms are gone and decide not to continue with the medicine. This is a bad idea. I heard a lot of patients come back because they were back right where they started. Also, you can't expect OCD to be gone for good. It may come back after a few years. But the good thing is you will know what to do then since you got over your first one.

I think you should do some research into your problem. Look online maybe for books or help groups that can support you and give you some answers. I don't know how easy it is to talk to a doctor about your symptoms.

I have a problem of hygiene.I just wash my hand everytime i touch anything.But i only wash when I am gonna eat something and before sleep.Well washing hand before eating anything is a good habit I know but my problem is that i have repititive washing hands i feel in my mind that my hand is not clean and so i do it again.I take lot of time in bathroom washing hands, my mother ask me to stop it and that its too much. Can you suggest on this? And yes also when i go out in train or bus which is very crowded i have a bath immediately after i reach home or i cant feel good in my mind.And yes even bathing takes lot of time for me.Any suggestion on this one??

Distracting my mind from the issue helps me a lot. It focuses me on something else so I'm not feeling like a repetitive habit is essential anymore. Then when you remember it (if you do) you've already moved past the agitation.

Yeah I agree, distracting yourself really does help :-)

Wow, that's a really full resource. It's great that you've taken the time to create a site like that. Thank you for posting the link here.