[darkerside16]

I'm wondering if anyone has some advice.
Here is the situation that I am in:
My OCD has taken over my life. I spend about 7 hours a day completing routines. Basically I get up, have 3 hours of routines for the morning, go to work, then have 4 hours of routines in the eveings. After doing this for years, I finally decided that I have to do something to change. I decided on a day to break my routine for the eveings. I ended up going to a friends house with a couple other girls. (None of them knew that this was going to be a challenge for me.) Knowing that I wasn't going to be able to fulfill my routines, I stressed about it for a week ahead of time. The night of, I was super anxious, and really didn't enjoy it much. The hardest part was after, when I was so nervous that I couldn't eat or sleep for 2 days.
I live in Korea, and an English speaking therapist isn't available. I have a doctor for my medications, but he doesn't speak English well enough to really know what is going on. Basically, he has just been there to keep giving the same perscription that I had when I got to Korea years ago. At first, he just told me to "change my personality." When I tried to tell him about the night that I finally did something different, and the effect it had on me, he told me "I think you should do your routine."
The truth is that I really want to change. I don't want to keep doing the same thing that I have done for so long. I have lived in this country for 3 years and don't have any friends here. I just don't know how to go about changing. My mom wants me to move back to the States so I can get some more serious treatment, but I can't just leave my job here.
How do I go about doing this myself? I don't even know what my first step should be. Can anyone give me some ideas? I am desperate to make a change.

[unaluna]

Some therapists now do therapy via Skype. Wow, this is such a hard undertaking! Bravo to you for trying this on your own as you have. We will see if we can get you some more replies.

[beaut]

You have taken the first step in recognizing your problem and you said you want to change your behavior. Willpower is so important in OCD. I found that celexa is good but recently only 40 mg is said to be safe by FDA. You cannot let your rituals control you. Try to think about why you are doing each action; you can control your thoughts. My faith has helped me alot with this, since I know God is sovereign and in control. Ask Him to give you God-like thoughts; but we have also to do our part: I ask that the thoughts be taken captive unto Jesus Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5. It works! Try to step back from your behavior to analyze why you do certain things. If you are smart, which you are, you can fight this knowing that these are destructive and are controlling your life. You have a right to be happy, but happiness is a choice. (the title of a book by Dr Frank Minirth, and Dr Paul Meier, which I recommend. They are both Cn docs. I'll be praying for you.......regards,