[MrsLovett]

Hiya,

I haven't posted on this forum before, so let me introduce myself to everyone a little. I'd like to remain anonymous, so you can just call me MrsLovett, but I'm 30 years old (almost 31) and have OCD, among other things. It manifests itself in a variety of ways. When it first started, I was 16, and I used to touch things a certain amount of times, flick light switches on and off a certain number of times, lock and unlock doors. It was HELLISH. Now it's sort of turned away from that into a MAJOR spending addiction. I am seriously in debt (my mom is paying off my credit cards right now ). I don't have a job, and am living on Social Security. I spend every penny of it on things that I don't need. My credit cards have been taken from me, but that doesn't stop me from delving into my checking account with my debit card and spending anyway. What should I do about this? I've told my therapist, but she hasn't really come up with anythiing. I just can't stop myself

MrsLovett

[(JD)]

(((hugs)))) I'm sorry you struggle so with this. As you noted, it can and does change. Part of your desperation is that you do feel you "can't" stop yourself. You can, with help, but it isn't easy, for sure. If your therapist isn't comfortable treating OCD, you could find one who is. But talk with your T about this again, and again, first. Perhaps she is working on the solution from the actual problem side, rather than the symptom side?

(Such as a T who helps ppl lose weight might not address the weight problem at all, but the underlying feelings of worthlessness, which contribute to the weight gain?)

If your T truly understands the situation you are in, and how your mom is bailing you out, rather than you having to do it, you should see her suggestions openly, imo.

What are you doing to stop yourself? I know it's terribly difficult, but that doesn't mean you can't try. You do need to, and with each success you can feel better about yourself.

If you haven't already, you need to close your bank account and go with cash only. Close the debit card and stop any activity on any charge accounts (you don't need to close them yet, I hope.) You can have your check go to a savings account, and take out cash for what you need, and when it's gone, it's gone. You and your mom both need to go to a therapy session, imo, so that she doesn't continue to enable your out of control spending. Work hard on your issues that bug you, and that might relieve some of the need to spend and get that high from doing so. Discuss meds with your T or your MD, adjustment might be needed.

Just some of my thoughts. TC!

[BalishBun]

hey that is a real tough one. I can only hope things get better for you