![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by milahra on March 28, 2004, at 21:19:24
Hi,
having now read a few of the posts here, I would like to start off from comments made elsewhere by Dinah (under 'Manic Defence and Therapy' in which she refers to OCD).
I'd like to know if, like my own dissociation, if OCD is at one end of a spectrum of obsessivness which starts perhaps with just being "finicky" about things.
For example, it hasn't happened in a very long time, but I remember a few times when I made a "game" to myself where I "had" to not stand on the cracks on the footpath. I remember it causing me some stress if I did stand on the cracks. Not a lot, but some. I was also aware that I had created the fear by my thoughts. That kind of fearful thinking served no healthy or useful purpose (except, *perhap* to act out some stress in me).
What *is* very obvious however, is my ongoing obsessiveness about wanting things in order. Not clean necessarily, just in order. I need my environment to be in order to help my *mind* be in order. It is true both ways: the more I am uncentred mentally, the more my housework etc goes down the drain. My life can get out of hand very quickly. For that reason, I regard my obsessive list-making and ordering a very practical thing (until I realize that the list-making has become an end in itself, which happens when I am most stressed).
I *like* sorting things - anything! It brings great ease of mind to have things to do that can be done one step at a time, so that it doesn't overwhelm you. When the house becomes untidy beyond recognition that it is harder to start again, but also more important for that.
I have *never* been said to have OCD, and neither do I identify with it to be honest. But I definitely *do* identify with being obsessive - anf I don't mind it!
Perhaps others here can identify with that - or not?
For now,
my best wishes to all!
milahra
Posted by Elle2021 on March 28, 2004, at 21:40:25
In reply to Practical obsessiveness, posted by milahra on March 28, 2004, at 21:19:24
I have severe OCD, and I do all of those things you mentioned, except I make mental lists not physical ones. If I were you I wouldn't be overly concerned with it, unless it seems to get worse. To me, it just sounds as if you are an organized person. If you are worried about it, perhaps try talking to your counselor/therapist about the possibility. I'm including a link to a website about OCD. Perhaps you will find it helpful.
Elle
Posted by pegasus on March 28, 2004, at 23:47:10
In reply to Practical obsessiveness, posted by milahra on March 28, 2004, at 21:19:24
Hi milahra and welcome!
I'm a lot like you. I don't have OCD, but I definitely need organization. I think there's a continuum. I'm on the very mild end, where I do have some obsessions and some compulsions, but they don't usually rule me (although I have had periods in my life where they do start to take over). I also have to be very organized in order to think straight. My husband and I just had an argument about that. I got up earlier than he wanted on Saturday, because I said I had to write a paper. Then I proceeded to clean the house for several hours. To me, that made perfect sense, because I wasn't going to be able to work on the paper until the house was in order. To him, that was kinda crazy.
I think Elle is right that what you describe is really nothing to worry about. I think that if you find yourself unable to function in some area of your life (work, school, relationships) because of your need for order, that's when you start to get worried.
- p
Posted by milahra on March 29, 2004, at 6:51:05
In reply to Re: Practical obsessiveness, posted by pegasus on March 28, 2004, at 23:47:10
Thank you for your replies, Elle and Pegasus.
I'm actually not worried about my "practical obsessiveness". As you say, if ever it stops me functioning then I will worry but on the whole, it helps me to achieve. I totally understand P. about having to have the house tidy before you can write the paper. Every time before I have a shower, my bedroom must be tidy and prepared first, my clothes and toiletries laid out ready to use immediately after.
I feel sorry, Elle, that you experience OCD. I know many people do and it must be terribly difficult to live with. By comparison to that, my own life is, I expect, much easier, but then I have most problem with dissociation. That has been my hardest challenge.
My very best wishes to you both,
For now,
milahra
Posted by Dinah on March 29, 2004, at 9:18:58
In reply to Practical obsessiveness, posted by milahra on March 28, 2004, at 21:19:24
I've got OCD, and it flares up under stress. I wish it were helpful OCD, like wanting the house clean or something useful. :) Mine is always things like I'm sure I've done something that will bring disaster to my family. And cause me enormous shame. And sometimes it is the most ridiculous thoughts you can imagine. Things that just wouldn't be at all likely, if even possible.
The way I think they might be practical is that they divert energy away from my growing stress and perhaps the underlying issues I'm trying to avoid. So when I brought my OCD under control I started having these nasty meltdowns, which are the result, I guess, of not having that energy drained. Not that OCD related panic attacks were fun. But I think they were safer to me than the meltdowns are.
I think very few psychologists or psychiatrists look at this part of OCD any more. They just look at it as a chemical imbalance, because it responds to SSRI's. Or they see it as something purely physical because they can see it on a brain scan.
And maybe I'm all wrong. I'm only judging from my experience.
Posted by milahra on March 29, 2004, at 9:50:34
In reply to Re: Practical obsessiveness » milahra, posted by Dinah on March 29, 2004, at 9:18:58
> I've got OCD, and it flares up under stress. I wish it were helpful OCD, like wanting the house clean or something useful. :) Mine is always things like I'm sure I've done something that will bring disaster to my family. And cause me enormous shame.
My heart goes to you Dinah because it must be dreadful to live with that. The closest that I come to that kind of experience is the way that internal "people" (or "personalities" as I call them) continually condemn me and want me to feel worthless. I am working well with my pdoc on it. She is *excellent* working with just this stuff, but it is horrible to have to contend with it all the time.It's the thing that I can imagine comes closest to your experience.
I really believe that there is often overlap of similar sorts of difficulties no matter what the diagnosis.
> And sometimes it is the most ridiculous thoughts you can imagine. Things that just wouldn't be at all likely, if even possible.
To help you feel better, I am *totally* at home with ridiculous thoughts!>
> The way I think they might be practical is that they divert energy away from my growing stress and perhaps the underlying issues I'm trying to avoid.
Yes, that feels right to me too.
> So when I brought my OCD under control I started having these nasty meltdowns, which are the result, I guess, of not having that energy drained. Not that OCD related panic attacks were fun. But I think they were safer to me than the meltdowns are.Mmm..
>
> I think very few psychologists or psychiatrists look at this part of OCD any more. They just look at it as a chemical imbalance, because it responds to SSRI'sIn large part, so does my dissociation.
> Or they see it as something purely physical because they can see it on a brain scan.
>
> And maybe I'm all wrong. I'm only judging from my experience.
Isn't that what we are all doing? And let's not knock that - our experience is uniquely valuable in teaching us things that others never get the opportunity to address. I hold onto the value of my experience. So far, it has given me insights that allow me to understand others as well - or at least not to judge them so easily.Best wishes
milahra
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Psychology | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.