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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AMD on March 15, 2004, at 13:59:36
Folks,
I'm in overdrive obsession mode right now. I've been diagnosed bipolar I and have been medicating it on lamitcal 25 mg and celexa 40 mg for the past few months. I think I'm rapid cycling, though, because I'll have a few good days and then something will happen to trigger an obsession, which in turn will send me into a depression.
Anyhow, this is getting VERY DISTRESSING and I don't know what to do about it.
For example, Thursday I felt great, clear-headed, full of energy, but not manic -- just 'normal' for once. Then, at the gym, I bumped my head against the pull-up bar. You know, standard "ouch!" moment, no stars, but a nice little bruise.
Now, a NORMAL person would shake it off, go out and have a nice weekend.
But I'm not normal. On the way home, I began to obsess about it: what if I've done brain damage? I have a headache: I must have done permanent damage. I started feeling nauseous. On Friday, I could hardly concentrate from worry -- I was able to focus a bit, though, and get some work done. Saturday, however, was horrible. I slept all day, depressed, worried about my head. Sunday the same; I made it out to read, but overall I couldn't stop obsessing. Last night I pictured myself having brain damage and being unable to function as anything more than a pizza delivery man. Today, at work, I am still worried. My head has had a weird 'tingle,' and I can't focus. And I'm telling myself, it's all related to the bump, when I know it's depression. But I can't believe it.
Anyhow, I am so frustrated -- I wanted to cry on the way to work, and I smacked the steering wheel out of pure anger more than a few times.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!
Is this a figment of my imagination? Are there medicines to help with this? Is this bipolar or OCD (perhaps both). Um, are there medicines, I ask again?
My next pdoc appointment is NEXT Friday, so I'm dying here....
:(
Posted by lelebug on March 15, 2004, at 14:19:20
In reply to HELP! :( Obsessing..., posted by AMD on March 15, 2004, at 13:59:36
I hate it when people tell me to relax when I am obsessing about something because it's the only thing I am concentrating on. But none the less most the time that's the only thing that can be said. I can assure you if it was just a regular bump on the equipment you will be fine. If something were going to happen to you, it would have happened by now. It seems like you have a grip on the fact that you are and will be fine. I do believe they have medication to help you stop obsessing. For me my Dr. put me on Lexapro which stopped my anxiety in turn stopping my obsessing. Your doc will be able to help you out. Just be totally honest with him about what is going on. Good luck and I hope you feel better.
Posted by greywolf on March 15, 2004, at 14:31:47
In reply to Re: HELP! :( Obsessing..., posted by lelebug on March 15, 2004, at 14:19:20
It doesn't sound like OCD. I would see the doc about meds, especially if these episodes are recurring frequently.
Posted by AMD on March 15, 2004, at 14:40:40
In reply to Re: HELP! :( Obsessing..., posted by greywolf on March 15, 2004, at 14:31:47
What does it sound like? The week before this, I tanned, and worried I'd damanged my eyes. The week for that I was freaking out I had HIV! What will it be next week!?!?!
> It doesn't sound like OCD. I would see the doc about meds, especially if these episodes are recurring frequently.
Posted by greywolf on March 15, 2004, at 15:12:55
In reply to HELP! :( Obsessing... » greywolf, posted by AMD on March 15, 2004, at 14:40:40
You'd obviously want to consult with someone who knows better than I about this, but what you describe sounds more like an anxiety disorder than what is typically considered OCD.
Take care and see your doc.
Posted by sl on March 15, 2004, at 18:27:13
In reply to Re: HELP! :( Obsessing..., posted by greywolf on March 15, 2004, at 15:12:55
Yup, what they said.
OCD generally involves a need to follow certain rituals or "something bad will happen".
Obsessive WORRYING would be an anxiety disorder, or something to do with your depression.
Posted by JoshG on March 15, 2004, at 22:54:57
In reply to HELP! :( Obsessing... » greywolf, posted by AMD on March 15, 2004, at 14:40:40
Sorry your having a difficult time.
I can relate to what you're saying. I go through periods where I'll worry obsessively about something and drive myself crazy.
Spent this past weekend worying about my teeth. Aaarrgghh!I imagine you might have had a small concussion, but can't imagine you did permanent damage. I can imagine that your mind can take you to some pretty unpleasant places though. ):
Posted by AMD on March 15, 2004, at 23:16:18
In reply to Re: HELP! :( Obsessing..., posted by JoshG on March 15, 2004, at 22:54:57
I doubt it was even a small concussion. I bumped my head. You know, like when you get up and hit your head on a table or something, and go "ouch!" but don't see stars, lose consciousness, anything ...
Or maybe it was a concussion, but I didn't start obsessing over it until a few hours /later/!
Posted by KXo on March 17, 2004, at 11:51:54
In reply to HELP! :( Obsessing..., posted by AMD on March 15, 2004, at 13:59:36
I think it is some anxiety disorder too.
KXo
Posted by Nanter1 on March 17, 2004, at 14:25:48
In reply to HELP! :( Obsessing... » JoshG, posted by AMD on March 15, 2004, at 23:16:18
> I doubt it was even a small concussion. I bumped my head. You know, like when you get up and hit your head on a table or something, and go "ouch!" but don't see stars, lose consciousness, anything ...
>
> Or maybe it was a concussion, but I didn't start obsessing over it until a few hours /later/!
>
>Hi there AMD:
Your head is fine, and it seems that you know it. While folks may say this is not OCD, it's probably related to your OCD. What you're experiencing is hypochondriasis, which is considered to be one of the OC spectrum disorders. While you may not have compulsions associated with it, it's still a function of your OCD / anxiety. Unfortunately, it's not possible to place these disorders into neat little compartments; there is a significant amount of overlap.
I have OCD, and one of the main ways my OCD presents is through hypochondriasis. You need to explain these irrational fears you have to your doctor and your medication and psychotherapy should be tailored to accommodate your condition.
Your head is fine. You didn't receive a concussion, and your fears are driven by your mental illness. Try to relax and best of luck in dealing with this.
-Luke
Posted by greywolf on March 17, 2004, at 17:34:29
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by Nanter1 on March 17, 2004, at 14:25:48
In the presence of repeated and uncontrollable health "checking" behaviors that provide relief in the form of reassurance, I would agree with Luke that hypochondriasis could be treated like OCD. But what Josh describes appears to be generalized and irrational anxiety over various health issues without associated ritualistic behavior. This type of HC would likely be treated more from an anxiety standpoint than from an OCD perspective (for instance, CBT might not be appropriate).
I have a rather severe form of traditional OCD (obsessions coupled with increasingly burdensome ritualistic behaviors related to fears of serious adverse consequences if the behaviors are not performed). What Josh describes does not resemble core OCD behavior, so it seems to me important that you, Josh, keep in mind that HC may be in the OCD spectrum as Luke says, but you may not need to fear developing some of the more debilitating OCD features.
Of course, HC itself is no laughing matter in its severe presentation, so you should obviously talk seriously about it with your doc.
Posted by greywolf on March 17, 2004, at 17:36:26
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by greywolf on March 17, 2004, at 17:34:29
Sorry, AMD. I kept writing "Josh" when I should have referenced you.
Posted by AMD on March 17, 2004, at 19:40:13
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by Nanter1 on March 17, 2004, at 14:25:48
Thanks for the reassuring words, Luke. I am feeling less anxious today, but it's still there in the back of my head, waiting to spring out. At points yesterday I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs out of the frustration and fury this was causing me.
I also have these visions in my head of my brain being wracked loose, etc. I am sure I'm experiencing some psychosis. I have a pdoc appt Friday, thank god.
Posted by jdgjdg on March 18, 2004, at 22:26:14
In reply to HELP! :( Obsessing..., posted by AMD on March 15, 2004, at 13:59:36
Have you been diagnosed with OCD as well? I experience OCD symptoms mainly when I am manic, but they are pretty controlled with Lexapro. I'm not sure how/if Celexa works for OCD, but that is something you definitely need to discuss with your doctor. Your quality of life can/will greatly improve once that is under control. Good luck. I hope you feel better soon. Jenn
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