|
Jun 09, 2015, 03:22 PM
|
 |
|
|
Member Since: Jul 2004
Location: transitioning to pluto
Posts: 3,461
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Liz1965
I am 50 years and I have been struggling with OCD, I am on medication for it, but there are times it takes alot out of me where it affects my daily routine. I see a great therapist and she helped me alot. I was wondering if anyone has any great coping skills that might help me. I am new here and I am just getting use to this great place. I also have borderline personality disorder, PSTD. thanks so much. Just hanging in there.
|
I have had OCD my whole life. Two years ago, I felt I was in the position where I felt well enough with other stuff that I was to do something about it.
I have been on medication for just over 2 years for OCD. Whenever asked if it helped I wasn't too sure what to say, but I did think I was coping with the obsessions and compulsions better. I would usually say I think it helps me be able to learn how to cope.
This past January my Doctor decided to take me off the medication. With the second decrease, I saw quite a big difference in my thoughts and behaviors. I documented each decrease and what occurred. We proved that yes the medication was in fact helping.
But it is so much more than medication. I challenge my obsessions each and every day. The more I challenge them successfully, the less anxiety they cause and the less powerful they become. I need to make myself do this. it takes a lot of work.
Distracting myself with other things helps me a lot. Writing, concentrating on breathing and focusing on what I am feeling rather than what I am thinking is a tremendous help.
Some obsessions always seem to be a bit worse when I get in the car. I needed to find a distraction that did not distract me from driving. I learned that if I turn the radio up real loud, and opened all the windows, I got distracted from the thoughts. This worked better in the winter with cold air blowing on me. The A/C just doesn't have the same effect.
So basically for me, it is trial and error. It works or it doesn't, but I keep trying.
|