This Section Needs More Traffic

I surprised there arent that many responses/members posting more here. OCD is hell to live with. Hell literally. And its beyond just hand washing- a poor stereotype.

Yeah. i know what you mean. it sucks... a lot. that an understatement.

so I'll chat here to liven things up! how are you? how is ur OCD?

OCD here, too. I'd like to see what's NEW in the world of OCD treatment and medicine. Surely all the studies you always hear about have led to something new?

Havent heard of much. Still seems like the most successful approach is still exposure therapy in addition to medication and talk therapy. thats what I am doing... how are you treating ur OCD?

That's what I do, too. Meds and exposure. My psychiatrist once told me someday we'll be able to get a computer chip installed in our brains that will turn the OCD off. I don't want a chip in my brain, but even if I did, I doubt it'll happen in my lifetime.

i dont think i would want a chip in my brain either. *shiver* that just doesn't sound right.

I think the most recent advances medication-wise are the ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)drugs (Riluzole). Some studies show that OCD patients have found relief using these drugs. It still considered experimental though-- my dr. would not prescribe it to me.

Chip in my brain...I would be too paranoid to get one so I will just deal with my OCD through tips and tricks I get in therapy. My OCD has calmed a little with the things my old T taught me and the anxiety meds they finally got me to take (I am fine with the gabapentin but the klonopin makes me feel that it is destroying my personality so that is only as needed instead of the 4 times a day it is prescribed). However, I hope they will make a way, even if it is a chip in the brain, for the people that truly suffer so much from OCD and are more accepting that I am of it.

I'm a little paranoid of a chip implanted in the brain, too, bastetsha.

I haven't watched it yet, but there is a special that's been on (might still repeat, not sure) called "Neat Freaks," about people with OCD, specifically cleaning compulsions. I was pissed when I watched The Talk and they were making jokes about it. Aisha and Sara (two of the hosts) did try to mention that it's a serious issue for these people, but they all kept making jokes.

I agree, most of the threads here were posted like a week or so ago.

It's unfortunate that the "reality" show that was on TV only showed the sterotypical OCD (checking, counting, etc.) but there are so many other facets of this disorder. I am OCD about everything. The easiest way to describe my OCD is I live my life based on probabilities. I am constantly expecting the worse to happen and therefore avoid any situation that would cause me to feel uncomfortable. I am in a constant state of worry. I was diagnosed with OCD, Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety. I have been on various medications, however nothing relieves the distress. I am also sensitive to medication.

I'm recently started taking Lamictal because they feel that I may have bi-polar tendencies, but because I have more depression than mania my therapists refuses to change my diagnosis.

I don't like constantly trying to explain to people how frustrating it is for me. At times I really just want to die. I've had one attempt. Just really trying to find positive things to think about so I can get through each day.