I had OCD, AMA
This may have been done before so apologies if it has! But I see members with this problem quite often and thought I'd take any questions anyone might have in case it can help.
I had OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) for about a year, but have recovered now. Ask me anything! :)
I didn't know it was possible to "recover" from OCD. I have it, and I think I'll have it for the rest of my life. How did you recover? :)
@Barush I would agree that it's hard to get it to go away entirely. Sometimes I still have thoughts that are OCD thoughts, but I can recognise them as harmful and push them away, and I no longer have compulsions that I am dependent upon. I don't have compulsions at all, actually, and no obsessions really either :)
I was actually forced to get better one summer. The anklet that I wore (I believed my family would die if I took it off) broke irreparably. I was terrified for a long time after that, but when nothing terrible befell my family, I began to have more confidence. Then my family urged me to stop some of my other compulsions, and I gradually stopped relying on them.
That's great, I'm glad to hear that:) I guess my OCD is more abstract, so it's not as easy to stop the intrusive thoughts. I'm on medication though and it's helping a bit.
@Barush I was lucky in that mine was not too severe and my compulsions were very concrete objects or actions. I hope you find your medication continues to work :)
Do you have any experience with exposure therapy?
What kind of OCD you had and did you need meds for it ?