[JY200]

I have obsessive compulsive disorder and I have alot of anxiety. I have to take medicine for it at night to relieve it and relax me. I used to do compulsions to relieve anxiety but that made the OCD worse. The best thing to do is take medicine, not do rituals.

[Travelinglady]

I'm glad the meds are working for you. I take Klonopin and have for a long time.

[bluecupcake]

I take klonopin for my anxiety/Panic attacks too. Without it, I'd be worse off. I was more OCD when I was a teenager, but I was never diagnosed. I used to do rituals like counting by multiples of 5. I would do counting rituals. I still do occasionally, but haven't in a long time. The ritual part used to calm me down.

[sassymck]

Hi there. I have OCD too, and you are right that meds are better than rituals. I have found Klonopin helpful as well. Also, some of the SSRI's are very good. I just went on Topamax for headaches. It works as a mood stabilizer and is calming. That has been a Godsend for me. The rituals are dying down. I'm so glad you have found some relief. OCD is hell!! I'd hate to think of you being there. It is nice to meet some fellow OCD sufferers though. I always feel like such a freak on my own with it in my little circle of family and friends. I feel less alone with you in my world. Good luck to you friend.

[JY200]

Thank you and I hope the meds are working for you as well.

[JY200]

I know what you mean. It is best not to do rituals, that is the enemy of OCD. It's great that you are not doing them as often anymore. The more you don't do them it is easier not to do them. Keep up the good work.

[JY200]

Thank you and good luck to you too. OCD is only Hell if you do compulsions, it's great if you don't. Best wishes to you.

[janealizabeth]

I had OCD for 7-10 years too...especially about praying and compulsive actions because I felt like it would affect the safety of my loved ones. But, like everyone else here mentioned, medicines, therapy and trying to learn techniques to fall out of that hamster wheel of compulsive actions have helped me greatly. I am free of the obsessive actions to 90-95% now. I would certainly recommend therapy to those that suffer from this disorder, as well.

[janealizabeth]

Because the compulsive actions are NEVER helpful or relieving, they only suck you in further and further and make you feel worse.

["Tilly may"]

I have constant anxiety. i have been practising thinking of other things when the anxiety strikes. sometimes i beat on my chest and the pain passes.