[convalescence]

Last night I did something that was out of the ordinary... I stayed at somebody else's house. There were so many locks, and it was giving me anxiety because I had this urge to check all of them! But the guy I was staying with only checked them once and all I'm thinking is about how I'm glad my OCD isn't as bad as it once was, but wow... I'm not going to let anxiety rule my life anymore.

I just needed somewhere to write this where other people can relate, too.

Those with checking behaviors, does going into a house with a lot of locks, or what it is that you check, cause you severe anxiety?

[healingme4me]

Not much personal experience, but I've known a couple people, in my life. One mainly about leaving the coffee pot on, before there were timed shut offs...
Did find this article. Hopefully, someone with this experience sees your thread and posts.

http://psychcentral.com/lib/obsessiv...rtainty/11428/

I don't go into other peoples houses cause I have contamination ocd as well as checking.

[convalescence]

eden1515, what do you check?

[MusicMike]

I have pure-O so I don't have checking behaviors, but I can certainly understand how being in a strange place with a lot of triggers could be anxiety provoking. When you say you aren't going to let anxiety rule your life any more, are you saying it ruled your life last night, but you want to change that for the future? Or did you already get to a place last night where it wasn't ruling your life? You took a big step by staying at someone else's house, I think.

[convalescence]

Mike1127, I meant that the night I stayed in somebody's house that wasn't mine or familiar to me made me realize that anxiety was dictating my life, and for that reason I decided to participate in therapy. I have also been breaking intrusive thought processes and compulsions.

[MusicMike]

Originally Posted by convalescence

Mike1127, I meant that the night I stayed in somebody's house that wasn't mine or familiar to me made me realize that anxiety was dictating my life, and for that reason I decided to participate in therapy. I have also been breaking intrusive thought processes and compulsions.

Way to go! Keep it up! How's it going? Are you having success?

[convalescence]

Mike1127, I am having little victories everyday. This isn't going to be a fast & easy process. I am having some success though, and that's enough to count for me!