I do struggle with elements of OCD on a daily basis. Currently I am trying to wean off Paxil, and the obsessive thinking is re-emerging its ugly head. My physician was opposed to my going off medication primarily because of this. "In the brain" is what I remind myself, when my thinking becomes irrational or obsessive. Interestingly, and I think this is because of my age as well as anything, I am able to think my way thru much of the condition. It will reappear, but less intense than before, till finally it goes away. It does involve conscious work on my part, but it isn't as persistent as it was for me in earlier years. This reduction in medication, which I am doing on my own, also brings forth flashback type memories which are very painful, but which I have buried. When this first started to happen, I was very dismayed, realizing it was the medication decrease. Sticking with it, however, I have actually "lived" thru much of the flashbacks, not shrinking from them, and they too seem to have gone away! I still experience this, but am able to work thru it.
Patty