Are you obsessive/compulsive? I have to know now!

[BikeWriter]

Poll question: Are you obsessive/compulsive? I have to know now!

Inquiring minds are driven to know!

Poll result (33 votes)
Yes, I am always obsessive/compulsive.	(4 votes, 12%)	Vote
Yes, I am often obsessive/compulsive.	(13 votes, 39%)	Vote
Yes, I am sometimes obsessive/compulsive.	(6 votes, 18%)	Vote
No, I am seldom obsessive/compulsive.	(4 votes, 12%)	Vote
No, I am rarely obsessive/compulsive.	(1 votes, 3%)	Vote
No, I am never obsessive/compulsive.	(3 votes, 9%)	Vote
Robb is a dingbat.	(0 votes, 0%)	Vote
Other.	(2 votes, 6%)	Vote

[fleabert]

1. I cannot go to bed until I respond to this thread...

and do some laundry, and pack, and do the dishes, and clean the toilet...



seriously.

[BikeWriter]

4. Ha ha ha ha ha! I can visualize that of you, Sweety. ;-)

That's one reason I'm such a wreck. My depression does not allow my other compulsions to rule my life.

[fleabert]

8. :big fat hug: I really need to get off DU and do my chores. because

I seriously can't go to bed until they are done, and I am tired. I've been in the dumps myself for a while now. Happy that we moved, happy that dh is happy, but freaked a bit about the change as well. I really need to get a job so I can feel normal again, but I am scared to fail. The old habit of -if I never try, I can't fail!- so stupid, but so easy to fall into the cycle.

I hope you are feeling good these days, you are officially on my mind for the day tomorrow! Good vibes all day! Hope they do their job! How is the crazy cat, btw? Still in your life, begrudgingly? Did she ever calm down?

[BikeWriter]

13. The crazy cat found a home, before she succeeded in killing me...

thankfully. You have my best wishes for lining out those few items in your life still bothering you.

[fleabert]

17. smooches...

glad she didn't steal your breath in the night, or claw your eyes out in the day! I am sure on some level, she knew you saved her...

[BikeWriter]

22. Thank you, Dear. It was your, and a few other's encouragement...

that kept me from taking the easy way out of that predicament!

[HEyHEY]

2. Yes, I am - I take meds for it

And let me tell you, it's a terrible, awful way to live your life.
I've only been on meds for a couple months. Before that nothing... only knew my problem for four or five months.
For years I lived in hell, quietly thinking I was going insane.

EDIT: If anyone else on DU suffers from this and wants someone to talk to... PM me if you like.

[BikeWriter]

5. I've been that way all my life, Pard. Luckily, I was able...

to channel it into my various careers and hobbies until the last several years. I'm glad you're finding means of controlling it. Good luck, my Friend.

[HEyHEY]

7. It was always like that for me too

Until about five years ago, then it took over. Nights were often spent alone repeating shit to myself over and over while going through the steps with me hand and talking it all out. I just couldn't stop, sometimes I'd get headaches it was so bad.
People who have never truly been affected by this have no idea how terrible it really is.
But, yeah on the upside, it has made me excel at my career when the OCD wasn't in control.
I'm hopefully going to be going to a clinic within the next year.

[fleabert]

10. I am so sorry.

I joke, but honestly, I get scared sometimes for myself. It's not controlling me these days, but I can see it happening. The repeating words and phrases are scary. I can stop it though, I just have to tell myself to stop, out loud, when I realize I am doing it. I hope your treatment helps- I can imagine how hard it is.

[HEyHEY]

14. See a doctor

If it ever gets out of hand

[fleabert]

15. I will. No hesitation.

thanks.

[HEyHEY]

18. How old are you BTW?

[fleabert]

24. 32

[BikeWriter]

12. Yes, it can be terrible, and can cause unlimited repercussions.

I hope it works where you get some relief, Brother.

[HEyHEY]

21. Thanks, you too

[leftofthedial]

3. I couldn't vote only once

I couldn't vote only once

[BikeWriter]

6. Oh, I noticed that...

Yes, I noticed that, for sure.

[Random_Australian]

9. I'm the bloke who voted 'Other'

I'm fine most of the time, but I have been known to suddenly exhibit symptoms of a number of mental disorders....
(Autism, Depression, and a few types of schitzophrenia are the most common) that just come and go, rather suddenly. In time I've learnt to control all of these very well, actually, although one of my mechanisms means I can't drink, unfortunately, (though I did try some non-alcoholic wine once, as a joke... I almost passed out, but thats a different story)

By far the hardest part is having to hide it. Mental illness was unnaccpetable at home due to my mother (who had her family destroyed by an 'Incident') can't see psychologist or take meds for same reason (Both were instrumental in the incident)... and living in a very redneck area... that sucked too because socially, anyone with problems is an outcast by default. Mental illness is treated as if it were contagious.

[fleabert]

11. There is a forum for mental illness here, you should check it out for

some support. My mom is Manic Depressive, and she feels much like you do about the stigma. I love her dearly, and try to understand as best I can.

I hope that you can get treatment soon- a good psychiatrist can do wonders for you.

[Random_Australian]

16. In this case there is a good reason

for the stigma: With a LOT of people on Marijauna far more powerful than natural, (I mean people getting 1,400 times the dose by getting strong stuff and smoking all day) depression is endemic... the No. 1 reason for Ambulance Callouts back where home was was to attend youth suicide attempts.

So I've moved out, I worked hard, got amazing marks, and frieked off. People keep telling me that 17 is too young for University, but freak that! So I'm somewhere much better now.

One problem: In controlling all the others I use my Depression almost as much, if not more, than the memory-changing/replacing schitzophrenia... and it won't allow me to seek help *sigh*.
(that's what I leave it at when stable. I've already promised myself that if things turn ugly I'll pitch depression vs. shitzophrenia for long enough for me to talk about it, and get help. I never will let myself get suicidal again. Never.)

[misanthrope]

27. So what you're saying...

...is that in your place of origin, kids are killing themselves because they're jonesin'?

[Random_Australian]

29. Yeah. Highs are way out of hand

Go to high, fall to hard. Marijauna has strange effects on teens anyway. Add to that that most people get drunk & stoned from 14.... the place is just a hole.

[HEyHEY]

19. FUck them - you can get help and get better

do that instead. I never went to a doctor for similiar reasons... I am now, and glad I am.

[BikeWriter]

20. I was raised among people who would work until...

they would literally fall in their tracks. Luckily, in the last decade or two it's become acceptable, sometimes even fashionable, to obtain counseling for one's problems. I hope you can get help with yours.

[Random_Australian]

23. I've compromised.... I'm quite stable now

so I'm doing psychology. One thing this whole thing has given me is such a different perspective that I do very well in academia.

Soon though, that's going to be tested.

My dad's dying.

I'M SEVENTEEN DAMMIT! No tears though yet. Haven't even posted about it in the lounge.

[BikeWriter]

25. Oh shit, Pard. I am so very sorry to hear that...

I know how it hurts. I've had some major hits like that myself.

[Random_Australian]

28. Old saying: If you need to cry

post for sympathy on the lounge.

I think I might do that now.

[In_The_Wind]

26. I can be especially when I'm leaving home for a few days.

Driving back to retrieve something I've forgotten when I'm already 1/2 across town isn't too bad.

Also my house mates are getting a wee bit annoyed with me for saying "I'll be right with you after I finish this post."

[BikeWriter]

30. ...and the eternal question... Did you turn off the stove and water hose?

[In_The_Wind]

31. I can call home to ask about that.

[BikeWriter]

32. Oh, good! I can't tell you how many hours I've spent worrying!

[In_The_Wind]

33. However ~ I do start packing days in advance.

[Strong Atheist]

34. No, never:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[BikeWriter]

35. Ah hah! Your actions put the lie to your words! :-)

[Strong Atheist]

37. What gave me away?

[BikeWriter]

43. ...

[Strong Atheist]

45. Did it have anything to do with the fact that about half the posts

there were from me?

[BikeWriter]

47. That may have been the first clue, yes. ;-)

[Strong Atheist]

48. Lol! nt.

[BikeWriter]

50. Ha ha ha ha ha!

[Nikia]

36. It turns out I am

I had no idea because I thought that obsessive compulsive meant that I would be washing my hands every five minutes or couldn't get to sleep because I'd have to keep checking doors. For the same reason, I didn't know that I was anorexic because I still ate something on most days and wasn't down to 80 pounds yet.

[Strong Atheist]

38. That's ok.; most people are to one extent or another ... nt.

[BikeWriter]

41. From the results of our poll, most of us are!

[BikeWriter]

40. It is sometimes difficult to see in ourselves...

(((((Nikia))))) I hope you're well now.

[Strong Atheist]

39. Just got it (slow today)! You have to know

NOW!

Yuk Yuk!

Funny man!

[BikeWriter]

42. Hee hee hee! I get flashes of wit now and then, thank you.

[Strong Atheist]

44. "Now and then." Yeah, right, more like all the time!

I am smart, but not quick. I have to work at wit... I love the editing feature here, it allows me to go back and correct things/get wittier as I think of better things to say... wish real life had an editing feature...

[BikeWriter]

46. Ahh, don't we all, my Friend? A most profound thought.

[Strong Atheist]

49. Hardly profound. Just a fervent wish... I am the one who thinks of

a searing comeback .... a day or two later...

[BikeWriter]

51. If you can limit your regrets to that you're most fortunate...

For many of us regrets evolve into guilt.

[Strong Atheist]

52. I have very little GUILT (not into that whole thang; luckily was not

raised that way), but I do have other regrets, and yes, regret is one of the worst emotions... best to work (if you can, I have trouble here) to make sure there ARE no regrets...

[BikeWriter]

53. Unfortunately, after sixty years of living, one war...

and three marriages, I have more than my share of both regrets and guilt. It's too bad they can't be easily discarded.

[Strong Atheist]

54. Agreed. Sorry about that...

[BikeWriter]

56. Thanks for the hug, Pard.

[Liberalynn]

55. Yes

I actually am. It is part of the anxiety disorder I am on disability for. I check the doors about 3 or 4 times before I go to bed, and the stove. When I worked I'd keep checking to see if I had the alarm on, I'd rewrite messages until I thought they were perfect.

I also tend not to be able to walk away from Video or Computer Games if I am loosing. Luckily I am not a gambler or that could be a problem.

I also tend to worry obsessively.

It gets worse as I get more anxious but at least it is livable for now.

[BikeWriter]

57. I'm glad you can tolerate it for now...

It's the major reason I'm online most of my waking hours.