intrusive thoughts and OCD

[JdAlanya]

hi there.. i just joined the group/forum yesterday.  i'm hoping to have some luck here with suggestions, advice, etc. from people who are or have gone through tough times with ocd, intrusive thoughts and anxiety.  i was happy to find this website.   

i have been having intrusive thoughts every day, all through the day for almost 3 weeks now.  i've had ocd since i was young and i have experienced intrusive thoughts before, but not like this.

i am pretty sure the intrusive thoughts (via my OCD) comes from the major change i just had in my life.  i moved from the US to Turkey.  it's a very big move and i figured i would have some type of "anxiety" to deal with, i just didn't image this.  when i was 21 i moved across the country with my boyfriend at the time and on thanksgiving night i had a HUGE anxiety attack.. so, i figured i would experience something with this huge move.

my intrusive thoughts are always either about hurting myself, hurting others or even doing something destructive like knocking over the TV.  logically i know these are intrusive thoughts powered by my ocd, but i can't help but feel afraid of them.. scared that i will actually act on them.. does anyone else feel this way????  it's such a horrible feeling to have.. it can be so frustrating and scary at the same time.  i'm hoping to have some real relief from them soon.

anything you have to share would be great.  it's nice to know i'm not alone.

 

[Daisy131]

welcome!

OCD sufferers are typically the last people to act on their thoughts, so no worries there.

are you on any medication? have you read "imp of the mind?"

[JdAlanya]

yes, i do take medication.. i have been on zoloft for years for my ocd.  i've heard of that book.. but i recently bought three other ocd/obssessive thoughts books.. i only just started reading them.

thanks 

[ocdengineer]

Congrats on the move.  That takes a lot of guts, but it has to be very exciting!  I think you are probably correct that the anxiety is as a result of the move.  You are scared as any normal person would be.  However, this is a really exciting opportunity for you to work on your anxiety.  You are in a new place and are probably working to get used to the cultural differences etc. 

JdAlanya, take this time to work on your OCD.  I have made some very stressful moves in my life and had anxiety as a result.  I moved across the country twice here in the states and both time required readjustment.  What you need to focus on is your real fears and not the fears your mind haunts you with.  The intrusive thoughts are just noise that is getting in the way of what could be a very exciting time.  I have Pure O as well and have dealt with general anxiety.  I still do in some cases.  I have found that mindfulness meditation has been very helpful in learning to focus my thoughts and allow intrusive thoughts to simply flow through my mind with no attachment.  It takes time and practice, but the intrusive thoughts can be beat.  Anxiety on its own is more difficult because it is based in fear and all humans experience fear.  Everyone has their own threshold for fear and people with anxiety disorders typically have a lower threshold for fear.  At least internal fears.  In that respect, the best thing you can do is face your rational fears.  In this case, go out and enjoy yourself.  Consider this move as a great big chance to face you fear of change. 

I am curious what books you are reading.  Two of my favorites are "Brain Lock" and "Stop Obsessing".  They are both completely different in the way in which they discuss OCD, but there are methods in both that you will find useful.  I found that "Brain Lock" is essentially a Western version of meditation or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and "Stop Obsessing" focuses more on Exposure and Response Therapy (Facing your fears through exposure).  I would definitely recommend both books!

Anyway, be kind to yourself and allow yourself some time to adjust, but don't dwell.  Who knows the cool things you could be missing out on!

If you are interested in my story I posted it on my blog in the "Anxiety Zone Connections" section.  Check it out.

Take care,
OE