Hi Anony,

I've been dealing with OCD problems for too long a time, too. It started out with just a couple of things that I would obsess about and follow through with rituals to combat them. As the years passed, the obsessions increased in number and involved other things in my daily life. I'm literally a prisoner of my OCD. I have limited my exposure to people, places, and anything else that will send me into a tailspin. I only leave the house when absolutely necessary.

Bathing, washing anything including laundry and dishes are all extremely difficult to do. I would love to just not do any of them. The problem with that is I'm so obsessive about keeping things clean that there is no way I could tolerate anything staying dirty. There are other obsessions and compulsions like checking things, counting and word associations connected to the obsessions. It feels like a never ending whirlpool that I'm stuck in.

I'm in therapy and taking medications for the anxiety and depression. I'm still hoping the medication will help. After nine weeks on the medication, I can't say I've experienced any big difference with my OCD symptoms. I have taken a few baby steps with a couple of things and was successful. I was very excited about that and keeps me hoping I'll be able to take some giant steps in time. I have a few specific phobias that only add to the problem. The phobias make the OC even harder to manage.

I understand where you're coming from and know the pain that accompanies this disorder. I hope we all will overcome it eventually.

Wishing everyone calming thoughts,
Calm