I went to the doctor when I was 15. Because I could not cope with my obsessive thoughts anymore. She didn't believe me. I told her everything. I even gave her my notebook with all the obsessive thoughts that I have. And she still told my parents that I'm faking it.
Wow! That sucks! What a horrible doctor! Also I don't know you but I once went to a gynecologist and told her all about my severe dysmenorrhea and she said I was faking it.. like even a physical illness was not understood. I hope this makes u feel just a tiny bit better. Also, did u go to another doctor? How are you now? Is it better? Did it go away?
There’s nothing more painful than being met with “invalidation” by a person in power, when being vulnerable enough to disclose struggling with an issue - and suffering. I’m sorry to hear that happened to you. I hope that you were able to find a better care elsewhere.
@@LordOfTheRings897 To be honest. When I was in high school I went to a lot of them. Among the last ones was one particular that I had very high hopes for. But he just said that I'm ok. He listened to me less than 15 minutes. So after that I stopped going to therapists. I thought that I just have to live like that. And I did until now. Recently I found a channel about OCD and he basically says that I have to solve the main problem. Since these scary thoughts of mine are just symptoms to keep me at home. I decided to try again since I believe my main problem is my social anxiety and fear of others opinions. Even though it may be not that, working on it will improve the quality of my life.
Thank you for mentioning the obsessive distressing thoughts. I often have things pop in my head that I don’t agree with (for example, racist or sexist thoughts) and I’m always horrified by them. I didn’t tell anyone about this for years, including doctors, because I didn’t realize it was a symptom of OCD for me
Just bawled my eyes out watching this video. Feels unbelievable for there to be some explanation to my experience. I love you so much Dr Marks. Thank you for raising awareness.
The baby thoughts, flashes of imagery, this was so scary accurate, and has encouraged me to reach out for help. I didn’t realize this was a symptom of ocd, which my mom was diagnosed with when I was a child. It is scary to not know what’s wrong with your own brain, thanks for making this.
Dr. Marks, just some quick feedback. Your videos are improving tremendously! I’ve only been viewing them for 3-4 weeks so I watched some older ones. Your information has always been great, but the quality of your presentation has become flawless. Excellent work in both content and in production! And thank you for this information!!
@@DrTraceyMarks I'd like to add a Me Too to Rbuff's feedback! As a 73 YO who has been down the rough road of the mental health maze for most of those many years I qualify as a self-diagnosed expert on DR communication skills. You are like a literal poof of refreshing Spring air! Thank you, thank you!
For me one of my biggest obsessions that led to diagnosis was an extreme fear of developing psychosis. So I would have to take my phone out repeatedly and take videos of what I saw to make sure they werent hallucinations. Sometimes I would get so anxious I would dissociate which would make my fear of psychosis deepen even though its different. Often times with those flashes of images you mentioned, I call them Visions. They're so intense and vivid that I almost feel as if I'm actually briefly seeing them
I had the same fear and I would literally repeat the word schizophrenia in my head bc the word scared me and eventually it would happen without my control. It got so bad I created fake auditory hallucinations and I started sleeping with earbuds in it led to extreme stress. I ended up having 1 auditory hallucination bc the stress got so extreme. It was going on for months. Eventually it just stopped and I slipped into months over depression and feeling suicidal and then one day I woke up feeling fine. I have no idea what that all was. I have never discussed it with a mental health professional. Bc it went away I just went on w my life. However I suffer from multiple anxiety disorders and this was only my second year of my anxiety. I'm now on the 4th year of experiencing it but I really want to reach out and get help. Yk I cant live like that forever.
Holy fuck I do this too. The taking photos? In a way that’s a compulsion I suppose, but reality checking (looking up people, rereading months worths of messages bc I become convinced I might have said something, taking photos) takes up hours of my day when my ocd gets bad.
This is my biggest OCD obsession too. So hard to shake. I do the same thing with recording things to make sure they were real and I’m not hallucinating. Also compulsively confess all my thoughts to my therapist because I want to make sure I’m not delusional or psychotic
Ah, the intense imagery of intrusive and obsessional thoughts and not knowing the proper way to describe any of it is what lead a dr to misdiagnosing me with schizophrenia. That was…not fun times. /lighthearted tone
I totally identify with this video. I've had OCD since at least the age of 12. I got fed up, broke most of the rituals. I still hold on to a few minor ones
That's the same age 12 going on 13 I got diagnosed with it it seems interesting to know someone that got it at the same age as I have it would be interesting to get to know a person that may share the same experience with OCD.
Jeremiah West This is the same with me as well. While I don’t know if I have been officially diagnosed, I do have a 504 for school, I am currently 14. Just today I realized that one of my compulsions has gone away and I am so excited. I want to ask to go to therapy, and I am so glad that I have great resources like these and the support and compassion of my mother to help me through it.
Me too, I’ve had it since 11 and I’m doing great! Although I still have some obsessive thoughts. Even during the stress of the covid-19 pandemic I’m still in control, this is important because stressful situation can be a trigger, worsening the symptoms.
If you started crying, you have it. Normal people have a hard time empathizing with people with mental health issues. I know because my family can't understand me. Also try finding a good therapist who can do CBT with you. 😊
I’m on fluvoxamine for it and has helped so much with ruminating before sleep and with general feelings of anxiety. You should check it out if you have access to that.
Along with skin picking, and nail biting, I have a few obsessions such as needing the door to be exactly where I want it, even when I’m not in the room, and overall me needing everything to be where I want it. I hate it when something doesn’t sound right, even when there’s nothing wrong with it.
Hello my fellow Ban Yue fan 😉 I’m the same but with hair pulling, and it’s such a struggle living with family who live in chaos. I HATE not knowing where things are.
I was expecting another fluff/sensationalist video but this was incredibly informative, yet still compassionate. Hearing examples of OCD thinking and treatment was especially good.
I have diagnosed OCD and I'm dying laughing here. Not because I think this video is ridiculous, but because I think it is Spot On! Actually, it's more than spot on. Dr. Marks, thank you for being such a prolific communicator about these common mental health challenges. 🙏
I just wrote a comment cracking up to at this video to LOL. Especially with the thing about how someone can believe they can catch HIV through their shirt to a hair follicle 😭 When it's all over and I'm reassured enough, I laugh at how ridiculous some of my OCD beliefs are.
My OCD is Contamination ,clean things over and over because dont believe there clean enough or Its not done the way I need it to be but it's taking over my life to the point getting anything else accomplished is impossible, I'm so stressed not even funny ! Please help me
I'll try to keep this short, if someone is curious, ask. I never wanted children but had one anyway, it caused me to suffer a lot of different mental issues including severe depression (had mild previous to baby,) body dysphoria, dissociative amnesia and so on. I used to have graphic flashes of me harming my infant and it would terrify me to the point of tears. I was scared to touch him. I was incredibly irritable and had a short temper. I spent a lot of time gently putting him somewhere safe to go freak out. I've never mentioned that to anyone, was recently diagnosed with OCD tendencies and came here to learn a little more. That bit about the violent flashes really clicked. I have been working with my psychologist for nearly a year now and she has helped me so much. But these videos have been great sources of extra information. So glad I found your channel.
This sounds like severe post-partum depression. I had it, but didn't know at the time (27 yrs ago). My doctor just said i had depression, which i had before pregnancy. It would've really helped knowing years ago. Wishing you the best.🦋
I feel like I need constant reassurance for the smallest things. About a few weeks ago I was driving with my mother, and I saw a stop sign that was in a weird place. The location of the stop sign threw me off while I was driving, and I asked my mother in a panicked way “do I stop? Do I stop? Do I stop? Do I stop?” I obviously knew that a stop sign meant to stop, but I wasn’t sure if I still had to stop because of the location of the stop sign. It threw me off. My mother then told me “yes, it’s a stop sign, Julissa, you need to stop.” My reassurance seeking sometimes makes my family and people around me think I’m stupid, but I know I’m not. I already know what I should do, but sometimes I need to know if I am right. Do you think this is a sign of OCD or no? I hope you answer, and thank you for your time (:
Thank you for describing m e! I have this as well, and I thought it was just insecurity, but watching only 2 of Dr. Marks' videos, I'm realising many of my thoughts and patterns could be traced to some form of OCD... I don't know, to be honest, but it feels good to know I'm not alone in the "dumbness" ❤
I don’t know but my kids have ocd I’m sure and autism & adhd .. teenagers they are , always for reassurance.. especially on situations like this .. getting thrown off because it’s not black and white eg you learnt one way .. stop sign are at corners and you must stop and check both ways .. then there is no flexibility of thinking or the ability to generalise idea snd transfer and mould to a different situation. So your see the stop sign 1 m before the corner .. your brain recognises that’s not what you learnt and flips out - adrenalin surges thru you, panic , what know it’s different, what doesn’t that mean ?? Instead of thinking it through the brain had gone into freeze BUT you need an answer as you are driving so panicked your as someone else .. that the thought process I think goes on for my kids .. it’s stressful for all . They use the demanding insistent tone and it puts me in alarm mode . Lovan has helped the anxiety n OCD intensity
As someone who's diagnosed with OCD and has been attending treatment for it and a handful of other disorders---doing ERP therapy (Exposure and Response Prevention therapy) specifically for my OCD and SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia), as well as group sessions of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) for a combination of my OCD, SAD, and a few other mental disorders I'm diagnosed with---for almost 3 months now, and has learned A LOT more about OCD while at the clinic, I see a couple MAJOR "red flags" in your description that leads me to believe that you very well *COULD* have OCD---or at least have OCD tendencies. In fact, I see A LOT of myself in your description! That excessive reassurance-seeking in response to the feeling of uncertainty about whether or not you're doing the right thing, even though deep inside, you do know that you're supposed to stop---since it's a stop sign---is eerily similar to many of the instances in which my OCD creates a powerful urge for me to seek reassurance. I had brought up to my Behavioral Specialist many of those instances of mine that were similar to the instance you described, towards the beginning of treatment, and she said that is was VERY MUCH a symptom of my OCD. What it boils down to is a shared characteristic throughout cases of OCD, which is the inability to rationally/effectively deal with uncertainty. In your situation, you knew that what you needed to do was stop at the stop sign---because it was a "stop" sign---but you sought out reassurance because you still wanted to be "ABSOLUTELY sure" that stopping was the right thing to do. Though after the fact it's obvious to you that you were supposed to stop in that instance, when you're in that OCD mindset, you're unable to rationalize and think logically about it, because that's EXACTLY what OCD does. Although I'm fairly certain that what you experienced was an OCD symptom, take my opinions/input with a grain of salt, for I'm not qualified to diagnose anything! Hope this gave you an answer you were looking for! :D Note: Also, be VERY careful that when you're asking these questions, you're not actively seeking reassurance. One very "sneaky" type of reassurance-seeking instance that I would get was I would essentially ask a question just like yours, where it would end in "is this OCD?", while before I even started typing up the question, or vocalizing the question, I already knew the answer to it. This particular type of reassurance-seeking that I did was by far the most difficult for me to catch and consistently become aware of (and I still struggle greatly with it and other OCD symptoms from time to time), for it was very subtle and not obvious. So my main point in saying that is to tell you to watch out for those instances and make sure that your comment asking whether or not what you experienced was an OCD symptom, isn't just secretly a form of reassurance-seeking for something you know the answer to (not saying that's necessarily what it is). :)
You can’t always see compulsions. Some of mine are straining my muscles in a particular order and breathing in tact, also licking my tooth from the inside.
I have a fear of developing schizophrenia. ERP has relieved some of this anxiety associated With it but still passes through my mind quite often. I googled every symptom and they have actually created what I call “false delusions”. It stems from reading examples of delusions and paranoia. I use mental compulsions and just like the intrusive thoughts themselves, they are so automatic. Thanks for making these videos. I enjoy the bit on OCD delusional thoughts. It’s less talked about form. I’m now a OCD advocate and try to educate people on the illness that is often romanticized by the media and Hollywood. Truly a terrible disorder, but the more we share info, the more people will actually begin to share their intrusive thoughts and get the help they need.
My Mom was extremely OCD. She's been on medication for a while but I remember before she ever got medication how difficult life was for us. She is a hoarder. Her hoarding was so bad there were stacks and stacks of newspapers and magazines stacked so high that, on several occasions, the stacks would collapse into an avalanche that would push against the door making it almost impossible to open the door from the outside. My mom was very afraid of other people contaminating her food. She was horrified if a waitress would carry out her plate of food with their thumb on top of the plate. She also believed that any red specks in her food were definitely diseased blood. This caused her to return food without explanation on many many occasions. She knew her behavior made people upset. But she would never explain her reasoning to other people. I believe that because her behavior made other people upset pretty often, over time she began to believe other people were inherently mad at her all the time. It was sad and difficult for us to live with. I don't have OCD. But I've definitely witnessed it through my mother.
Some of the compulsions can be in your head. You get anxiety by an intrusive thought or obsessive thought and to calm the anxiety, you reassure you the same thing that doesn't give you enough certainty over and over and it becomes a ritual
Thank you so much for touching on Harm-OCD. Your description is spot on. I was just hospitalized for 4 days and finally received that diagnosis after 8 years of awful visions or images running through my head. I felt like I was going absolutely insane, the images are so vivid and horrific. It's almost like someone is running a strip of film through my head. Luckily, I had an amazing team of mental health professionals turn my life around fast, although I recognize I need to continue to work through some exposure therapy and mindfulness/self talk exercises.
I’ve had contamination and symmetry obsessions for as long as I can remember. It used to be really bad, but I have gotten a lot better. I do struggle with some compulsions, but it is somewhat tolerable now and have gotten better. I believe it is because of all the trauma I experienced in my younger life. Doing these things helps me to feel I’m in control of some things in my life. I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Thank you for your videos. I just found you and I enjoy your videos and your soothing and calming voice.
I used to have really bad compulsive checking problems when I was in my teens, I would straighten my hair before school and then turn the straighteners off, I'd check it twice before I left to make sure it was off and it was. Yet when I went to school I couldn't concentrate all day because I was scared that I'd burnt the house down. I could literally picture the house being burnt down and of course when I got back home at the end of the day, I was so happy that the house hadn't burnt down, but the first thing I would do is check my the straighteners in my room. Until I did that, I couldn't relax.
@@violetlove1893 I find that holding the item in my hand or squeezing it or doing something physical or staying and looking at the thing I've switched off for a while, helps.
I had that happen to me when I had my first baby. I was freaked out and scared and couldn't understand why those horrible thought and images were occuring. I went to a phychiatrist and was diagnosed with OCD. It was such a relief.
Same. It was so scary , I didn’t even want to be left alone. I got on Zoloft and they slowly went away. I finally weaned myself off of it, due to weight gain. I went back to the gym & completely cleaned my diet up. and my mind has never felt better.
So far every video of your's I've watched has been deeply respectful, accurate, and even encouraging. I'm very happy about stumbling on this channel. Thank you for your work, it's insightful and much needed for both those with these assorted problems and those simply trying to better understand others.
Great video and perfectly explained. Thank you for this. It’s hard to get the nerve to NOT perform the rituals, out of fear. Breaking past that would be a great achievement.
Exposure and Response Prevention is totally out of the box therapy and it was an absolute life saver for me! I cannot speak highly enough about the benefits of ERP! It’s super exhausting and emotionally draining, but so worth it! I would not be alive today, if it weren’t for getting this type of therapy.
How interesting! OCD and eating disorders are very similar in many ways, I'm sure that other people with ED's can relate to the symptoms described in the video. The obsessions that take up all of your thoughts, the rituals, the anxiety of just thinking about eating a 'fear food'...
To anyone with OCD reading this (or just if you're interested in learning more about the disorder), I would HIGHLY recommend the book "Brain Lock" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz. My psychologist recommended it to me as she said I probably have obsessive thoughts. Though I couldn't relate to some of the extreme examples in the book, it definitely gave me a new perspective and understanding of my thoughts, and most importantly, different ways of dealing with them. Whether you simply have a nail biting habit, or debilitating compulsions, I can not recommend "Brain Lock" enough! Thanks as always to Dr. Tracey Marks for a great video!
Tracey, OMG, I don't care about TV shows and new film releases anymore since I got addicted to your videos whatever mental disorder it may mean. Great stuff. Deep, informative, well presented and a lot of fun! Really really talented job. Especially when you depict behaviors with your husband starring. You are a PSYCHIACTRESS! Great job. Enjoying your spirit and education so much. Way to go! Cheers from Russia.
As a child, I was bullied, but instead of lashing out and fighting I'd bite my arm. I did it so often that hair actually started to grow where I bit myself. I'm 56 now, and the arm biting stopped with puberty. However, to this day I still bite my fingers, which are calloused. Growing up I never heard of OCD, but I feel safe in saying this is a form of anxiety I've had in one form or another for 50 years.
Same here! I have bipolar, anxiety and OCD and I love Dr. Marks 's videos. She explains things really well and are making me understand more about my conditions! Xx
@@DrTraceyMarks Hi Dr. Tracey, I've been diagnosed with bipolar type 2 and borderline personality disorder. Could you please talk about it when both disorders are diagnosed together? Thanks!
@@DrTraceyMarks Hi from the Bronx NY. I see my psychatrist often for bipolar 2, OCD, ADHD, Anxiety Disorder, and clinical depression. I'm on LATUDA 40mg, benztropine, and Lexapro 20mg. Thanks for the great videos.
Thank you so much. I’m 50 now and I’m finally understanding my mothers conditions; the hairpulling, the obsessive counting of locking amd unlocking the front door, the hoarding…thank you so much again, I’m so sad for her that neither doctors or I understood what she going through😢
The worst part for me is when I doubt my own thoughts over, and over again and it just doesn't stop. I don't have access to a therapist but I'm really thankful to you Doctor for these free videos. Hopefully, I recover from this soon.
I used to think that some of the things I thought or avoided weren’t ocd bc I spent a lot of my life convincing myself I’m not mentally ill through fear of being told I’m lying - but after this video it’s validated my issues and now I’m less worried about going to get help 🥺
I haven’t been formally diagnosed with OCD, but I definitely have the intrusive thoughts about contamination… it has completely ruined cooking for me because I feel I have to wash my hands after touching certain things and it ends up taking 2 hours to make a simple dish… I also absolutely cannot have anything I find “dirty” to touch my bed. My sister often teases me by putting her feet on my bed and then I feel so uncomfortable I have to make sure whatever she touches gets a wash. I think this whole thing started because of her! She got staph infections twice and would pick at her wound and then go on without washing her hands. I would beg her to be careful and wash her f*ing hands, but I ended up getting a staph infection in my eyelid!!!! Of all places!!!!!! Now I’m extremely cautious about anything touching my face, or making sure I wash my hands before and after touching my face…. It gets exhausting, but on the upside I have great skin 😅
I relate SOO hard. I just got done putting a towel on my bed so my ‘dirty’ feet don’t touch the bed. I also take my socks off before going into my bed cause of the same reason. Also I relate so hard on the cooking thing. The simplest things like cooking, or even peeing or even pulling my pants up- can be sooo difficult. Whenever something ‘dirty’ touches my shirt or whatever I get frozen. And I’m just like “welp I can never touch that part of my shirt again until it’s washed” so sometimes I end up changing my clothes like 3 times a day. I run outta clothes fast Lol. At least on the bad days. I’ve been diagnosed with ocd. And I’m no doctor but I relate so hard to you, you def have it Lol. I mean maybe it’s bad for me to say but just my opinion
Your description of the sneeze passing through hair folicle gave me anxiety, LOL! Good stuff. And your bit around the 9 minute mark, while legit, was also funny. I like to laugh at my issues.
I really appreciate this so much because every second of my everyday life (and I'm not exaggerating) is consumed by my OCD and it's the kind where I'm scared if I don't do something then something will happen (even writing that makes me anxious) - I can't do things in two or fours nor can I listen to certain songs and it drives me insane. Anyways, watching this made me feel a bit more understood so thank you for another amazing video
Pure O OCD is a term completely new to me, even though I was diagnosed with OCD 13 years ago. Probably is not a very popular term here in Brazil, but I found this kind of information pretty interesting. Thanks for sharing it.
I wish I had seen all your videos before. Please make more on all subjects because these are hidden gems that shed so much light on issues I've had all my life and didn't realize weren't normal until I got older and everyone I knew always call me weird or ask what's wrong with me.
Watching your videos just for 3 days is helping me having a huge progress due to the rationalization of some of the problems I've always thought I had. Dealing with them but not being sure if I was on the right path was very stressful and discouraging sometimes, but now I know that I'm doing great. Thank you for sharing all this material with us!
Thank you so much for this! my boyfriend has OCD, I've been studying the disorder for school but I'm always looking for more information so I can help him hes actually done exposure therapy before for his obsessions and i think it really helped him alot. if I remember correctly thr therapist got him to make audios of himself talking about things he had obsessions over and listening to said audios every day or so before going on with his day.
this video makes me think that stress is the precipitor of all of these sorts of problems. I think that the human mind is so fragile. Good mental health/ brain health is precious.
When I was 16 I was diagnosed that I had OCD since I was 9 years old... Now I'm 23 years old and, because of the medications, I almost forgot that about that part of my life! I love watching your videos Dr Marks, they are really educational!! Love from Serbia ❤
@@maisieburns822 well, not entirely, I was prescribed antidepressants and anxiety meds, but my OCD compulsions broke by me constantly reminding myself that "it's all in my head", "it's all my irrational fears controlling me" and other reassurance words, also reducing the number of times I did something (my "magic" number was 12, so I reduced it to 6, and now 3 times). I still have to remind myself these things to this day, but it's easier now (thankfully)!
@@Vtina88 Hej komšija! Pila sam zoloft, xalol (xanax) i antipsihotike (sad je drugi u pitanju)... Pre 3 godine sam dobila dijagnozu bipolarnog, sa hipomaničnim epizodama - tako da sad pijem zoloft, lamictal i antipsihotik Actawell 😅
@@Bokac997 hvala ti na odgovoru! U biti lijekovi za ocd su ti djelomično pomogli, a više si pomogla sama sebi osvješćivanjem tog problema. Drago mi je da vidim koliko to pomaže. 💪💪
My family used to watch real cop shows, and I used to be terrified that I would be mistakenly taken to jail for failing sobriety tests like reciting the alphabet backwards or balancing on one leg with your eyes closed and touching your nose. So I practiced. Not that I drank. Or drove. Or had any reason to be afraid of this. I can still sing the alphabet backwards.
@@graceg3250 it is if the person doesn't drink or drive. For someone who doesn't drink or drive without OCD, they'd just say it doesn't matter or won't happen because they don't do those things to begin with.
I love these videos. Whenever I have a question about anything psychological I find the cute doctor lady and soak up the knowledge. Thanks for sharing these!!
Hey! Would you be able to sometime talk about both PTSD and CPTSD? in regards to childhood trauma? I feel like this topic in general doesn’t get talked about much unless it is in regards to our military. Thanks a bunch Tracey!
Dr. Tracey Marks WOW, thank you! I must have been looking in the playlist section and not all videos! Thank you for this. I finally feel validated. Instead of guessing it was only anxiety and depression. Thank you for teaching all of TH-cam and for using your profession and knowledge to share with us!
This has been extremely helpful! I always thought l might have OCD but now l realise l don’t relate to any of these things. I suppose l must just be a perfectionist, because l always need to see and have everything in a certain order , for it to look at its best! Beauty is essential for my well being and after l have decorated a room to the exact way it looks best, l never want to see anything amiss or “out of place” 🙏
When I was a kid I had ocd. My brothers talked about me so bad I controlled it and eventually it went away. I finally know it was symmetrical and from anxiety. God this woman is a life saver. Thank you again.
The way you explained compulsions was amazing. The oven example was almost exactly like how I feel with checking my phone for notifications. I will even take my phone out in school, where I can get in trouble, to check it MULTIPLE TIMES. Every time I’m on my phone I check it before I unlock it, multiple times while I’m one it, and after I lock it back up. I also check it without actually using my phone. Even after I check it, I wonder if I ACTUALLY looked at it. Then I begin to wonder if it’s changed since then. It definitely takes up a lot of my time, maybe more than I spend actually using my phone. I don’t really talk to anyone about it because I know it’s a bit ridiculous to others, but my old therapist let me know that those things were normal for people with OCD. I also have a tiny bit of an obsession with the number 4, where I count tiles in fours as I walk, count my chews in fours, etc. It’s not as much as a problem, and I understand that nothing bad will happen if I don’t do this, besides increased anxiety. It’s mostly calming for me :). All to say, I love this video. You clearly know you stuff, and describe it in an accurate, yet understandable way.
Just woow! It has taken me 20 yr to know that my problem is just ocd. I have been bullied in school and told to die and go to heaven where there is no germs. My life is a living hell cause no one could understand me not even my family. I wish I can get medication. Thanks for the information. Love from East Africa
Oh no, I recommend you to not get medication, the side effects are awful. It’s best start treatment with therapy only, unless the psychiatrist and/or psychologist say you should take it.
@@DrTraceyMarks remember the nursery reighm " that stood on the house that Jack built" like maybe urine splashes on your leg , then you accidentally touch it then you touch something else , then something touches that and you constantly have to confess these things to your wife all day , that she has to get away from you because of mental exhaustion by you going on at her so much that your marriage suffers and you dont have sex with each other and paroxetine that you take for years because of toilet confessional obsessions doesn't work .tried clommiprimine but side effects of sweating was too much , stopped paroxetine and I'm not fat now.
Since I was little Ive been obsessed with possible contamination, dying, etc. I finally recognized this in myself in middle school and began trying to work through it, however, it's only gotten worse. I at one point was obsessed with the idea that a man was living in my ceiling and watching me sleep at night. I began hearing noises and "seeing" eyes in my vents. I haven't been able to admit to anyone how awful it got because as long as I did my night routine, I was able to feel safe (as safe as I could and not show distress) in my bed. OCD, Bipolar Disorder, and depression, plus many more conditions and illnesses run in my family on both sides. Luckily I am getting therapy soon, a psychologist and psychiatrist. My fear of contamination has hurt many relationships as spit and hugs can send me into a meltdown or shutdown. I hope I can get real help soon.
Dude I am completely feeling what you feel. Hopefully things have gotten better for you. It’s pretty comforting being able to relate to others ocd stuff.
Excellent overview of OCD. Factual and easy to follow. I am thoroughly knowledgeable about OCD, regrettably. But in the last 10 years, I've made great progress.
Wow! Thank you so much for making these! You've helped me so much in understanding myself a little easier, and helped me understand what I can do to combat my OCD, and social + general anxiety disorder. Sometimes people don't exactly have the means to go get professional help, so this is truly some wonderful information that you are sharing with us. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. I really, very much appreciate all the effort and work you've done here☺️ I am subscribing!
Dr Marks, I no longer plan and practice my rituals like i used to, but the need has never completely gone away. I have been like this since I was about 10 and I'm 61 now. I hid it and was ashamed for so many years. I had heard the term OCD, but I didn't really understand it. Then in 2008 I was watching a program with a doctor helping a group of people deal with theirs and I saw myself. It hit me like a bomb. I have never been to a doctor or diagnosed but I recognized myself in that moment. I do still struggle everyday to not let it overtake me. If you aren't vigilant it creeps in to daily life where habits can become something more. I appreciate the detailed explanation in your video. Thanks for posting this.
4:04 I have always been fearful that something will happen to harm my youngest daughter. I don't take extreme measures over it, it doesn't control my life. My daughter is very precious to me. Losing her, I feel like it would kill me, I love her so much.
Well hello. Complex BPD here, part of that OCD. Ill have to see if you have bpd videos. Your voice is so soothing. Thanks for all your help. I love that hair.
You're really good at explaining this. Esp, that feeling the droplets. For someone with contamination OCD, that's what really pushes me to wash (hands, feet, legs) because I feel it (germs) like it has a lot of weight.
9:05 from this point on I had shiver down my spine and wanted to vomit lmao the “ear finger” being pulled away from the cup is me 100%, washing hands immediately immediately immediately
It would be great if you could do a video on the stress/anxieties/fears that are affecting normal behaviour due to covid. The behaviours that are affecting those around you negatively.
Dr. Tracy Marks, I want to say thank you so much for braking it down to where even I can get the basics. Btw viva is the Spanish word for life, I see the Latin root.
Oddly I was diagnosed OCD 12 years ago. It took me until the last three years of my life as I am pursuing my psychology MS to realize how accurate this diagonis truly was. Thanks for making these videos. I use them to help with additional learning in my own educational journey.
I was reading recently that compulsive shopping and overspending, may be a form of OCD. Prior to that I had read about them coming more so under the umbrella of behavioural addiction type behaviors.
Thank you Dr Marks for the video. I have been diagnosed with OCD for about 7 years , but I have not had any type of exposure treatment and just hearing your example of getting HIV was extremely triggering 😞 when you touched the toilet seat I had to stop watching completely. I am going to try and push myself to return and watch the entire video, as a form of treatment because this disorder does cause a person to miss out on a lot and I would like to start living more freely
I sought treatment for anxiety, ADHD and depression, however, I am a little afraid to mention my obsessive thoughts and compulsions to my doctor because I just don't want to add on yet another diagnosis.
a lot of diagnoses are comorbid, meaning they typically appear together in the same person. so your doctor won’t be surprised to hear that you may have OCD because it’s very common for people with ADHD, anxiety, and depression to have it as well
@@bellahnemetona5924 me too 😓 mental illnesses are stigmatized. People have negative attitudes towards anyone who is diagnosed it seems. Wish that could be changed 😓
When she talked about the scenarios for treatment I got full body shivers and my skin started getting itchy just thinking about doing some of that stuff 😅
I experience intrusive thoughts of sounds or graphic images and it makes me feel tearful and anxious most days, and used to worry very often that I was a racist and homophobe (I am not). I do experience compulsions and urges to touch objects/surfaces and arrange things until they are perfect most days as well. However I find that the compulsions don't always relate to the intrusive thoughts and are usually completely random. I worry a lot about having an urge to hurt someone. I am very scared this could be OCD. What are your thoughts on this? Thank you so much Dr Marks.
Fifi I experience the same thing. I'm a hospital worker (soon to be in mental health actually!) and I have a lot of anxiety about the prospect of hurting people - and not just anyone, but those I love most.
Hi Doctor Tracey. Can you make a video on sexually obsessive thoughts? 😖 it’s not a pretty topic I know but I’m sure others may need to hear about it, myself included. I think I have ADD as well.
Thank you so much Tracy for these informative videos. I can remember "ticks" or "obsessions" I had as young as 9/10 years old. When I look back at the behaviors I did for example, my left leg always had to be the last foot that touched the top of a flight of stairs and my right foot always had to be the last foot that touched the bottom of a flight of stairs or "my legs would fall off." I took it even further to make sure each foot was always exact, I would count how many stairs there was and know in my head that odd number of stairs I had to make my right foot step first in order for my left to always be the last to touch the top and the exact opposite for even number of stairs. I still do this today, but as an adult now and over time in and out of therapy I know for a fact my legs won't fall off but I think I still do it out of comfort. Again, thank you for putting names to things and putting informative knowledge out there. 18 years ago, I had no idea why I did certain behaviors and even felt "alone" and "different." Your videos are safe space for me.
Good for bro. Hope u can get it, and it makes ur life better. I am glad we are getting to a point in time where looking for help something to be proud of instead of hiding
wow, thank you so much for producing these high quality and super professional videos! It can be hard to find trustworthy info out there, appreciate you!
@@DrTraceyMarks I'd like to know more about self harm. My son does it and won't accept professional help. I just wish I knew what to do and why he does it.
Hi Shanna. Just to share.. I pull my hair out. I've done it forever. I used to dig at my hands, wrists until a layer of skin came off. I wanted to let you know about TLC. trichotillomania learning center. It's in California in case you look it up. It's about hair pulling and skin picking and other stuff. You are not alone. You're not crazy. I thought i was. Who pulls and picks for HOURS? In a translike state? It's a wonderful place for information and encouragement. I hope this reply helps. Take care.
i also pick my skin (lips, fingers, etc) and ill do it for hours and it will lead to lesions/scars. i can't stop no matter if I cut my nails or fidget with other stuff, the urge is too strong. I've been doing it since i was 6 :(
I had this period of time when I was around 13 where I had to not step on the cracks, there was no consequence or whatever if I did but it got to the point it consumed so much of my thought I was getting so stressed that I forced myself to start stepping on the cracks all the time.. and I got over it pretty quick. I imagine that must be what it’s like to have OCD, though more difficult to overcome!
Holy shit that stuff you said at the end is like quite literally what I learned to do on my own growing up since I was getting sick and tired of my odd behaviours and thoughts. Wish I had an adult paying attention to me better so that I could of maybe have gotten over my issues sooner. Some compulsive behaviours return every now and then but I tend to get over it with some focus in the moment
Fear of HIV infection is so exactly what my mom was terrified of! She thought she was going to get HIV infection from literally everything. From DOOR KNOBS YES! but also from specks of red in her food, used Band-Aids in the parking lot, somebody having their finger in their ear and then touching my mom. She thought she could get an HIV infection from a dirty dog leash that our dog peed on 5 years ago and the leash has been washed many times since. But it doesn't matter because the leash is contaminated.
I love your videos. Can you please do a video on trichotillimania and how to cope with it while having ocd? I've been in therapy for years an still struggle with how to stop.
I clean my apartment 3 times a week. I cannot sleep at night if something is out of place. I fear filth and odor, ect. I clean the toilet after each use.
This is really interesting. I know a couple of folks who have OCD and it was difficult to understand because the folks I know who have it don't share a lot of details. This helps me understand better. My mom had OCD and she had the harm thoughts. That's not easy to admit, but this explains a lot.
I've had moderate-severe OCD with delusional beliefs ever since I can remember (the first disruptive obsessions and compulsions I remember were around age 3) comorbid with several other disorders, and longitudinally involving just about every mahor form of OCD you can have (sexual, harm, contamination, etc.). I also respond poorly to SSRIs - they are either ineffective or intolerable for me. An anxiolytic combination helped a noticeable amount, amd utilizing exposure + response prevention has too, but adding risperidone has been one of the most useful steps for my OCD. It's reduced delusional content + conviction, but probably the most impactful effect has been reduction in emotional response to OCD triggers. Initially my typical response would be profound anxiety leading to a panic attack and/or dissociation, sometimes also including things like aggression, self-loathing spirals, or physical illness. It's much more rare now for me to experience this kind of response, and that's allowed me to confront triggers more efficiently. This isn't a medication recommendation for anyone; mostly I feel like sharing because I guess I am profoundly relieved. Every secons of my day used to be consumed with OCD symptoms. I would stay up for hours at night checking things, or get stuck in doorways because I couldn't exit the "right" way or figure out what the "right" way was supposed to be. I've developed phobias, picked scars in my skin, and washed my hands until they bled. I didn't even suspect I had OCD until I was 12. At 23, this is the freest I've been for 20 years and I didn't know that was even possible.
Yes my friend also has OCD and she's told me meds only work in about 50% of cases. She doesn't use meds. They never worked for her either and also caused severe side effects as they did in her case. OCD is a lifelong disorder but in her 20s, my friend has learned to manage and is not impaired in her daily life anymore. I hope her story offers hope.
My daughter and I both have diagnosed OCD since childhood. I feel intensely guilty about her suffering which fuels my compulsions. These are heavily carried out in my sleep as fighting it when I’m awake is a fight I never get a break from. I have finally stopped cutting but picking, hoarding and needing to speak to my husband at least once every 10 minutes feel impossible to overcome. Thank you for this video.
As long as ur not doing what ur thinking. You are fine. Remember they are just thoughts. I have then too. I cant control them. I've learned they come out the most when I'm stressed or depressed. So I would try to relax. Let the thoughts come and go. Dont suppress them. It makes them worse. Learn to control them so they dont control you. It's a long process but I promise it gets easier and better.
You aren't your thoughts. The dimiurge will project thoughts that you mistakenly perceive as your own. As long as you do not act on them and allow them to pass, you are behaving in a perfectly healthy manner. We can't remove these aspects, but we can mitigate them ♡
Simply put, this video is me. My obsessions are soaring on a different level and it's not normal, at all. If I see something disgusting, it stays on my mind for days or weeks and it does affect my appetite, sleep, social interactions. It must stop
I went to the doctor when I was 15. Because I could not cope with my obsessive thoughts anymore. She didn't believe me. I told her everything. I even gave her my notebook with all the obsessive thoughts that I have. And she still told my parents that I'm faking it.
Wow! That sucks! What a horrible doctor! Also I don't know you but I once went to a gynecologist and told her all about my severe dysmenorrhea and she said I was faking it.. like even a physical illness was not understood. I hope this makes u feel just a tiny bit better. Also, did u go to another doctor? How are you now? Is it better? Did it go away?
You should try another therapist
There’s nothing more painful than being met with “invalidation” by a person in power, when being vulnerable enough to disclose struggling with an issue - and suffering. I’m sorry to hear that happened to you. I hope that you were able to find a better care elsewhere.
Get a different therapist. Now, that doesn't mean get one that just agrees with you. Agreeing does not mean they are a good therapist.
@@LordOfTheRings897 To be honest. When I was in high school I went to a lot of them. Among the last ones was one particular that I had very high hopes for. But he just said that I'm ok. He listened to me less than 15 minutes. So after that I stopped going to therapists. I thought that I just have to live like that. And I did until now. Recently I found a channel about OCD and he basically says that I have to solve the main problem. Since these scary thoughts of mine are just symptoms to keep me at home. I decided to try again since I believe my main problem is my social anxiety and fear of others opinions. Even though it may be not that, working on it will improve the quality of my life.
Thank you for mentioning the obsessive distressing thoughts. I often have things pop in my head that I don’t agree with (for example, racist or sexist thoughts) and I’m always horrified by them. I didn’t tell anyone about this for years, including doctors, because I didn’t realize it was a symptom of OCD for me
Same 😔
!!!!!
exactly the same. I feel bad every time i get those.
Just bawled my eyes out watching this video. Feels unbelievable for there to be some explanation to my experience. I love you so much Dr Marks. Thank you for raising awareness.
Girl me too. In another vid of her I realized I had a time snd may be autistic.
The baby thoughts, flashes of imagery, this was so scary accurate, and has encouraged me to reach out for help. I didn’t realize this was a symptom of ocd, which my mom was diagnosed with when I was a child. It is scary to not know what’s wrong with your own brain, thanks for making this.
Dr. Marks, just some quick feedback. Your videos are improving tremendously! I’ve only been viewing them for 3-4 weeks so I watched some older ones. Your information has always been great, but the quality of your presentation has become flawless. Excellent work in both content and in production! And thank you for this information!!
Thanks so much RAbuff! My editing has been a work in progress. Thanks for being able to watch my old stuff 😊
@@DrTraceyMarks I'd like to add a Me Too to Rbuff's feedback! As a 73 YO who has been down the rough road of the mental health maze for most of those many years I qualify as a self-diagnosed expert on DR communication skills. You are like a literal poof of refreshing Spring air! Thank you, thank you!
Eeeeeeeeeeeeee
For me one of my biggest obsessions that led to diagnosis was an extreme fear of developing psychosis. So I would have to take my phone out repeatedly and take videos of what I saw to make sure they werent hallucinations. Sometimes I would get so anxious I would dissociate which would make my fear of psychosis deepen even though its different. Often times with those flashes of images you mentioned, I call them Visions. They're so intense and vivid that I almost feel as if I'm actually briefly seeing them
I had the same fear and I would literally repeat the word schizophrenia in my head bc the word scared me and eventually it would happen without my control. It got so bad I created fake auditory hallucinations and I started sleeping with earbuds in it led to extreme stress. I ended up having 1 auditory hallucination bc the stress got so extreme. It was going on for months. Eventually it just stopped and I slipped into months over depression and feeling suicidal and then one day I woke up feeling fine. I have no idea what that all was. I have never discussed it with a mental health professional. Bc it went away I just went on w my life. However I suffer from multiple anxiety disorders and this was only my second year of my anxiety. I'm now on the 4th year of experiencing it but I really want to reach out and get help. Yk I cant live like that forever.
Holy fuck I do this too. The taking photos? In a way that’s a compulsion I suppose, but reality checking (looking up people, rereading months worths of messages bc I become convinced I might have said something, taking photos) takes up hours of my day when my ocd gets bad.
This is my biggest OCD obsession too. So hard to shake. I do the same thing with recording things to make sure they were real and I’m not hallucinating. Also compulsively confess all my thoughts to my therapist because I want to make sure I’m not delusional or psychotic
I have this but instead I fear believing delusions zoloft has saved my life though
Ah, the intense imagery of intrusive and obsessional thoughts and not knowing the proper way to describe any of it is what lead a dr to misdiagnosing me with schizophrenia. That was…not fun times. /lighthearted tone
I totally identify with this video. I've had OCD since at least the age of 12. I got fed up, broke most of the rituals. I still hold on to a few minor ones
Oh that's great. That's an accomplishment to break the rituals.
Otis T Baggins my brother has that
That's the same age 12 going on 13 I got diagnosed with it it seems interesting to know someone that got it at the same age as I have it would be interesting to get to know a person that may share the same experience with OCD.
Jeremiah West This is the same with me as well. While I don’t know if I have been officially diagnosed, I do have a 504 for school, I am currently 14. Just today I realized that one of my compulsions has gone away and I am so excited. I want to ask to go to therapy, and I am so glad that I have great resources like these and the support and compassion of my mother to help me through it.
Me too, I’ve had it since 11 and I’m doing great! Although I still have some obsessive thoughts.
Even during the stress of the covid-19 pandemic I’m still in control, this is important because stressful situation can be a trigger, worsening the symptoms.
I started crying watching this. I think I have undiagnosed OCD, but I'd hate to self-diagnose
alexa prozac helped, but didn't heal me...remember this was my experience
If you started crying, you have it. Normal people have a hard time empathizing with people with mental health issues. I know because my family can't understand me. Also try finding a good therapist who can do CBT with you. 😊
@Sarah Newman a g r e e!!!!
Sammeee x I’m 13 and my parents are strictly Muslim and they don’t believe in mental health 😔❤️❤️
I’m on fluvoxamine for it and has helped so much with ruminating before sleep and with general feelings of anxiety. You should check it out if you have access to that.
Along with skin picking, and nail biting, I have a few obsessions such as needing the door to be exactly where I want it, even when I’m not in the room, and overall me needing everything to be where I want it. I hate it when something doesn’t sound right, even when there’s nothing wrong with it.
Hello my fellow Ban Yue fan 😉
I’m the same but with hair pulling, and it’s such a struggle living with family who live in chaos. I HATE not knowing where things are.
I was expecting another fluff/sensationalist video but this was incredibly informative, yet still compassionate. Hearing examples of OCD thinking and treatment was especially good.
I have diagnosed OCD and I'm dying laughing here. Not because I think this video is ridiculous, but because I think it is Spot On! Actually, it's more than spot on. Dr. Marks, thank you for being such a prolific communicator about these common mental health challenges. 🙏
I just wrote a comment cracking up to at this video to LOL. Especially with the thing about how someone can believe they can catch HIV through their shirt to a hair follicle 😭 When it's all over and I'm reassured enough, I laugh at how ridiculous some of my OCD beliefs are.
Watching give me comfort and anxiety at the same time
Omg same!!! I'm laughing and getting anxiety from this video. Scary accurate 😂
My OCD is Contamination ,clean things over and over because dont believe there clean enough or Its not done the way I need it to be but it's taking over my life to the point getting anything else accomplished is impossible, I'm so stressed not even funny ! Please help me
I'll try to keep this short, if someone is curious, ask.
I never wanted children but had one anyway, it caused me to suffer a lot of different mental issues including severe depression (had mild previous to baby,) body dysphoria, dissociative amnesia and so on.
I used to have graphic flashes of me harming my infant and it would terrify me to the point of tears. I was scared to touch him. I was incredibly irritable and had a short temper. I spent a lot of time gently putting him somewhere safe to go freak out.
I've never mentioned that to anyone, was recently diagnosed with OCD tendencies and came here to learn a little more. That bit about the violent flashes really clicked. I have been working with my psychologist for nearly a year now and she has helped me so much. But these videos have been great sources of extra information. So glad I found your channel.
Yes Ive got a 4year old and controlling my irritability obsessions stress depression mood swings addictive personality are fucking hard
This sounds like severe post-partum depression. I had it, but didn't know at the time (27 yrs ago). My doctor just said i had depression, which i had before pregnancy. It would've really helped knowing years ago. Wishing you the best.🦋
I feel like I need constant reassurance for the smallest things. About a few weeks ago I was driving with my mother, and I saw a stop sign that was in a weird place. The location of the stop sign threw me off while I was driving, and I asked my mother in a panicked way “do I stop? Do I stop? Do I stop? Do I stop?” I obviously knew that a stop sign meant to stop, but I wasn’t sure if I still had to stop because of the location of the stop sign. It threw me off. My mother then told me “yes, it’s a stop sign, Julissa, you need to stop.” My reassurance seeking sometimes makes my family and people around me think I’m stupid, but I know I’m not. I already know what I should do, but sometimes I need to know if I am right. Do you think this is a sign of OCD or no? I hope you answer, and thank you for your time (:
Idk honestly, but i have ocd and doesnt sound like it. BUT, IM NOT A DOCTOR!!!! We got to go get your insecurities sound just like my best friend!!!!
:hug:
Thank you for describing m e! I have this as well, and I thought it was just insecurity, but watching only 2 of Dr. Marks' videos, I'm realising many of my thoughts and patterns could be traced to some form of OCD... I don't know, to be honest, but it feels good to know I'm not alone in the "dumbness" ❤
I don’t know but my kids have ocd I’m sure and autism & adhd .. teenagers they are , always for reassurance.. especially on situations like this .. getting thrown off because it’s not black and white eg you learnt one way .. stop sign are at corners and you must stop and check both ways .. then there is no flexibility of thinking or the ability to generalise idea snd transfer and mould to a different situation. So your see the stop sign 1 m before the corner .. your brain recognises that’s not what you learnt and flips out - adrenalin surges thru you, panic , what know it’s different, what doesn’t that mean ?? Instead of thinking it through the brain had gone into freeze BUT you need an answer as you are driving so panicked your as someone else .. that the thought process I think goes on for my kids .. it’s stressful for all . They use the demanding insistent tone and it puts me in alarm mode . Lovan has helped the anxiety n OCD intensity
As someone who's diagnosed with OCD and has been attending treatment for it and a handful of other disorders---doing ERP therapy (Exposure and Response Prevention therapy) specifically for my OCD and SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia), as well as group sessions of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) for a combination of my OCD, SAD, and a few other mental disorders I'm diagnosed with---for almost 3 months now, and has learned A LOT more about OCD while at the clinic, I see a couple MAJOR "red flags" in your description that leads me to believe that you very well *COULD* have OCD---or at least have OCD tendencies. In fact, I see A LOT of myself in your description! That excessive reassurance-seeking in response to the feeling of uncertainty about whether or not you're doing the right thing, even though deep inside, you do know that you're supposed to stop---since it's a stop sign---is eerily similar to many of the instances in which my OCD creates a powerful urge for me to seek reassurance. I had brought up to my Behavioral Specialist many of those instances of mine that were similar to the instance you described, towards the beginning of treatment, and she said that is was VERY MUCH a symptom of my OCD. What it boils down to is a shared characteristic throughout cases of OCD, which is the inability to rationally/effectively deal with uncertainty. In your situation, you knew that what you needed to do was stop at the stop sign---because it was a "stop" sign---but you sought out reassurance because you still wanted to be "ABSOLUTELY sure" that stopping was the right thing to do. Though after the fact it's obvious to you that you were supposed to stop in that instance, when you're in that OCD mindset, you're unable to rationalize and think logically about it, because that's EXACTLY what OCD does. Although I'm fairly certain that what you experienced was an OCD symptom, take my opinions/input with a grain of salt, for I'm not qualified to diagnose anything! Hope this gave you an answer you were looking for! :D
Note: Also, be VERY careful that when you're asking these questions, you're not actively seeking reassurance. One very "sneaky" type of reassurance-seeking instance that I would get was I would essentially ask a question just like yours, where it would end in "is this OCD?", while before I even started typing up the question, or vocalizing the question, I already knew the answer to it. This particular type of reassurance-seeking that I did was by far the most difficult for me to catch and consistently become aware of (and I still struggle greatly with it and other OCD symptoms from time to time), for it was very subtle and not obvious. So my main point in saying that is to tell you to watch out for those instances and make sure that your comment asking whether or not what you experienced was an OCD symptom, isn't just secretly a form of reassurance-seeking for something you know the answer to (not saying that's necessarily what it is). :)
YoU are sOo sOo educated, talented, full of knowledge, beautiful, gOrgeOus, all at the same time!❤ ThanKs fOr your video ma'am!
You can’t always see compulsions. Some of mine are straining my muscles in a particular order and breathing in tact, also licking my tooth from the inside.
Bro i feel personally attacked lol i do that😛
That is hyperawareness ocd
@@PaTroNxMoD this shit is he'll bro
I thought I was alone with the breathing thing. Has it gotten better?
I do that too, the licking my teeth from the inside and my gums get really sore. I am trying to avoid it but it is really difficult.
I have a fear of developing schizophrenia. ERP has relieved some of this anxiety associated
With it but still passes through my mind quite often. I googled every symptom and they have actually created what I call “false delusions”. It stems from reading examples of delusions and paranoia. I use mental compulsions and just like the intrusive thoughts themselves, they are so automatic. Thanks for making these videos. I enjoy the bit on OCD delusional thoughts. It’s less talked about form. I’m now a OCD advocate and try to educate people on the illness that is often romanticized by the media and Hollywood. Truly a terrible disorder, but the more we share info, the more people will actually begin to share their intrusive thoughts and get the help they need.
My Mom was extremely OCD. She's been on medication for a while but I remember before she ever got medication how difficult life was for us.
She is a hoarder. Her hoarding was so bad there were stacks and stacks of newspapers and magazines stacked so high that, on several occasions, the stacks would collapse into an avalanche that would push against the door making it almost impossible to open the door from the outside.
My mom was very afraid of other people contaminating her food. She was horrified if a waitress would carry out her plate of food with their thumb on top of the plate. She also believed that any red specks in her food were definitely diseased blood. This caused her to return food without explanation on many many occasions. She knew her behavior made people upset. But she would never explain her reasoning to other people. I believe that because her behavior made other people upset pretty often, over time she began to believe other people were inherently mad at her all the time.
It was sad and difficult for us to live with. I don't have OCD. But I've definitely witnessed it through my mother.
That's very insightful. :)
Some of the compulsions can be in your head. You get anxiety by an intrusive thought or obsessive thought and to calm the anxiety, you reassure you the same thing that doesn't give you enough certainty over and over and it becomes a ritual
Hi I am a social worker in Australia. You don't know how much your videos help me with my work! You don't know how much I love you! Dr Tracy!
Thank you so much for touching on Harm-OCD. Your description is spot on. I was just hospitalized for 4 days and finally received that diagnosis after 8 years of awful visions or images running through my head. I felt like I was going absolutely insane, the images are so vivid and horrific. It's almost like someone is running a strip of film through my head. Luckily, I had an amazing team of mental health professionals turn my life around fast, although I recognize I need to continue to work through some exposure therapy and mindfulness/self talk exercises.
How are you doing now? what's the best treatment you feel like helped you medication or therapy ?
I’ve had contamination and symmetry obsessions for as long as I can remember. It used to be really bad, but I have gotten a lot better. I do struggle with some compulsions, but it is somewhat tolerable now and have gotten better. I believe it is because of all the trauma I experienced in my younger life. Doing these things helps me to feel I’m in control of some things in my life. I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Thank you for your videos. I just found you and I enjoy your videos and your soothing and calming voice.
I used to have really bad compulsive checking problems when I was in my teens, I would straighten my hair before school and then turn the straighteners off, I'd check it twice before I left to make sure it was off and it was. Yet when I went to school I couldn't concentrate all day because I was scared that I'd burnt the house down. I could literally picture the house being burnt down and of course when I got back home at the end of the day, I was so happy that the house hadn't burnt down, but the first thing I would do is check my the straighteners in my room. Until I did that, I couldn't relax.
I do that with the stove, oven, crock-pot, curling iron
@@violetlove1893 I find that holding the item in my hand or squeezing it or doing something physical or staying and looking at the thing I've switched off for a while, helps.
@@JazzyJ96771 thank you. I will try that.
I do this with my front door being locked.
@@mishmashmixofstuff I do that too even though I just locked it.
I was diagnosed with severe OCDs and that HIV example is exactly one of the worst OCDs I have. I thought I was alone. Thank you
Me too. Currently going through it as I ate a hand made gola ice. And every cold or fever or mouth sores remembers me that but couldn't dare to test.
I had that happen to me when I had my first baby. I was freaked out and scared and couldn't understand why those horrible thought and images were occuring. I went to a phychiatrist and was diagnosed with OCD. It was such a relief.
Same. It was so scary , I didn’t even want to be left alone. I got on Zoloft and they slowly went away. I finally weaned myself off of it, due to weight gain. I went back to the gym & completely cleaned my diet up. and my mind has never felt better.
Omg this happened to me too
@@taramay8174This is happening to me, I was also prescribed Zoloft, I still don't take it, you got better.
So far every video of your's I've watched has been deeply respectful, accurate, and even encouraging. I'm very happy about stumbling on this channel. Thank you for your work, it's insightful and much needed for both those with these assorted problems and those simply trying to better understand others.
Great video and perfectly explained. Thank you for this. It’s hard to get the nerve to NOT perform the rituals, out of fear. Breaking past that would be a great achievement.
Exposure and Response Prevention is totally out of the box therapy and it was an absolute life saver for me! I cannot speak highly enough about the benefits of ERP! It’s super exhausting and emotionally draining, but so worth it! I would not be alive today, if it weren’t for getting this type of therapy.
How interesting! OCD and eating disorders are very similar in many ways, I'm sure that other people with ED's can relate to the symptoms described in the video. The obsessions that take up all of your thoughts, the rituals, the anxiety of just thinking about eating a 'fear food'...
I bet there’s a lot of overlapping and I’m saying this as someone who has OCD and in recovery from an eating disorder
To anyone with OCD reading this (or just if you're interested in learning more about the disorder), I would HIGHLY recommend the book "Brain Lock" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz.
My psychologist recommended it to me as she said I probably have obsessive thoughts. Though I couldn't relate to some of the extreme examples in the book, it definitely gave me a new perspective and understanding of my thoughts, and most importantly, different ways of dealing with them.
Whether you simply have a nail biting habit, or debilitating compulsions, I can not recommend "Brain Lock" enough!
Thanks as always to Dr. Tracey Marks for a great video!
Ocd Daniel was a good book too, I loved it
Thanks
Thankyou
I'll give this a go. Cheers :)
Tracey, OMG, I don't care about TV shows and new film releases anymore since I got addicted to your videos whatever mental disorder it may mean. Great stuff. Deep, informative, well presented and a lot of fun! Really really talented job. Especially when you depict behaviors with your husband starring. You are a PSYCHIACTRESS! Great job. Enjoying your spirit and education so much.
Way to go!
Cheers from Russia.
I had tears in my eyes after that toilet seat thing, sweaty back, ear canal...uggh. It just ran chills down my spine.
As a child, I was bullied, but instead of lashing out and fighting I'd bite my arm. I did it so often that hair actually started to grow where I bit myself. I'm 56 now, and the arm biting stopped with puberty. However, to this day I still bite my fingers, which are calloused. Growing up I never heard of OCD, but I feel safe in saying this is a form of anxiety I've had in one form or another for 50 years.
I started watching your videos because I have bipolar disorder. But watching your videos on other disorders/illness has educated me.
Oh that's awesome. Thanks for watching.
Same here! I have bipolar, anxiety and OCD and I love Dr. Marks 's videos. She explains things really well and are making me understand more about my conditions! Xx
@@DrTraceyMarks Hi Dr. Tracey, I've been diagnosed with bipolar type 2 and borderline personality disorder. Could you please talk about it when both disorders are diagnosed together? Thanks!
Lulu Mari i hope you are feeling good today💕
@@DrTraceyMarks Hi from the Bronx NY. I see my psychatrist often for bipolar 2, OCD, ADHD, Anxiety Disorder, and clinical depression. I'm on LATUDA 40mg, benztropine, and Lexapro 20mg. Thanks for the great videos.
Thank you so much. I’m 50 now and I’m finally understanding my mothers conditions; the hairpulling, the obsessive counting of locking amd unlocking the front door, the hoarding…thank you so much again, I’m so sad for her that neither doctors or I understood what she going through😢
The worst part for me is when I doubt my own thoughts over, and over again and it just doesn't stop. I don't have access to a therapist but I'm really thankful to you Doctor for these free videos. Hopefully, I recover from this soon.
How u doin
The worst part is that you even doubt your own diagnosis and doubt your own memory
This has helped me understand my husbands condition more 🙏🏻
I used to think that some of the things I thought or avoided weren’t ocd bc I spent a lot of my life convincing myself I’m not mentally ill through fear of being told I’m lying - but after this video it’s validated my issues and now I’m less worried about going to get help 🥺
I haven’t been formally diagnosed with OCD, but I definitely have the intrusive thoughts about contamination… it has completely ruined cooking for me because I feel I have to wash my hands after touching certain things and it ends up taking 2 hours to make a simple dish… I also absolutely cannot have anything I find “dirty” to touch my bed. My sister often teases me by putting her feet on my bed and then I feel so uncomfortable I have to make sure whatever she touches gets a wash.
I think this whole thing started because of her! She got staph infections twice and would pick at her wound and then go on without washing her hands. I would beg her to be careful and wash her f*ing hands, but I ended up getting a staph infection in my eyelid!!!! Of all places!!!!!! Now I’m extremely cautious about anything touching my face, or making sure I wash my hands before and after touching my face…. It gets exhausting, but on the upside I have great skin 😅
I relate SOO hard. I just got done putting a towel on my bed so my ‘dirty’ feet don’t touch the bed. I also take my socks off before going into my bed cause of the same reason. Also I relate so hard on the cooking thing. The simplest things like cooking, or even peeing or even pulling my pants up- can be sooo difficult. Whenever something ‘dirty’ touches my shirt or whatever I get frozen. And I’m just like “welp I can never touch that part of my shirt again until it’s washed” so sometimes I end up changing my clothes like 3 times a day. I run outta clothes fast Lol. At least on the bad days.
I’ve been diagnosed with ocd. And I’m no doctor but I relate so hard to you, you def have it Lol. I mean maybe it’s bad for me to say but just my opinion
Your description of the sneeze passing through hair folicle gave me anxiety, LOL! Good stuff. And your bit around the 9 minute mark, while legit, was also funny. I like to laugh at my issues.
I really appreciate this so much because every second of my everyday life (and I'm not exaggerating) is consumed by my OCD and it's the kind where I'm scared if I don't do something then something will happen (even writing that makes me anxious) - I can't do things in two or fours nor can I listen to certain songs and it drives me insane. Anyways, watching this made me feel a bit more understood so thank you for another amazing video
You're so welcome. 😊
Pure O OCD is a term completely new to me, even though I was diagnosed with OCD 13 years ago. Probably is not a very popular term here in Brazil, but I found this kind of information pretty interesting. Thanks for sharing it.
I wish I had seen all your videos before. Please make more on all subjects because these are hidden gems that shed so much light on issues I've had all my life and didn't realize weren't normal until I got older and everyone I knew always call me weird or ask what's wrong with me.
Thank you so much for explaining this. It’s so hard to explain to people who don’t have it. It’s awful.
Watching your videos just for 3 days is helping me having a huge progress due to the rationalization of some of the problems I've always thought I had. Dealing with them but not being sure if I was on the right path was very stressful and discouraging sometimes, but now I know that I'm doing great.
Thank you for sharing all this material with us!
Great video, thanks!!
Can you make a video about the link between PTSD and OCD?
From how relaxed you are, knowing there are disorders make you question solidified scientific evidence...omg, I need someone like you here!
Thank you so much for this! my boyfriend has OCD, I've been studying the disorder for school but I'm always looking for more information so I can help him
hes actually done exposure therapy before for his obsessions and i think it really helped him alot. if I remember correctly thr therapist got him to make audios of himself talking about things he had obsessions over and listening to said audios every day or so before going on with his day.
you’re channel is extremely valuable
So informative! I’m working on my OCD skin picking/ nail biting issues.
this video makes me think that stress is the precipitor of all of these sorts of problems. I think that the human mind is so fragile. Good mental health/ brain health is precious.
When I was 16 I was diagnosed that I had OCD since I was 9 years old... Now I'm 23 years old and, because of the medications, I almost forgot that about that part of my life! I love watching your videos Dr Marks, they are really educational!! Love from Serbia ❤
Has medication helped you massively then?
Hej Boyana, pozdrav iz Hrvatske! Koje lijekove si koristila i koju vrstu OCD-a si imala?
@@maisieburns822 well, not entirely, I was prescribed antidepressants and anxiety meds, but my OCD compulsions broke by me constantly reminding myself that "it's all in my head", "it's all my irrational fears controlling me" and other reassurance words, also reducing the number of times I did something (my "magic" number was 12, so I reduced it to 6, and now 3 times). I still have to remind myself these things to this day, but it's easier now (thankfully)!
@@Vtina88 Hej komšija! Pila sam zoloft, xalol (xanax) i antipsihotike (sad je drugi u pitanju)... Pre 3 godine sam dobila dijagnozu bipolarnog, sa hipomaničnim epizodama - tako da sad pijem zoloft, lamictal i antipsihotik Actawell 😅
@@Bokac997 hvala ti na odgovoru! U biti lijekovi za ocd su ti djelomično pomogli, a više si pomogla sama sebi osvješćivanjem tog problema. Drago mi je da vidim koliko to pomaže. 💪💪
This was beyond spot on for me. But now I fear I’ll acquire some of the new obsessions you mentioned 😂
My family used to watch real cop shows, and I used to be terrified that I would be mistakenly taken to jail for failing sobriety tests like reciting the alphabet backwards or balancing on one leg with your eyes closed and touching your nose. So I practiced.
Not that I drank. Or drove. Or had any reason to be afraid of this.
I can still sing the alphabet backwards.
That's impressive! I can't even sing the alphabet backwards sober. Guess that's a pro about OCD? Developing skills.
@@queenieburgers50 i wouldn't really call that a skill lol at least not a useful one
Same!! To this day I still recite it backwards when I drive just in case.
I don’t know if that’s an abnormal anxiety.
@@graceg3250 it is if the person doesn't drink or drive. For someone who doesn't drink or drive without OCD, they'd just say it doesn't matter or won't happen because they don't do those things to begin with.
I love these videos. Whenever I have a question about anything psychological I find the cute doctor lady and soak up the knowledge. Thanks for sharing these!!
Hey! Would you be able to sometime talk about both PTSD and CPTSD? in regards to childhood trauma? I feel like this topic in general doesn’t get talked about much unless it is in regards to our military.
Thanks a bunch Tracey!
Here's a video I did on it. th-cam.com/video/7Is7U6QW8mc/w-d-xo.html
Dr. Tracey Marks WOW, thank you!
I must have been looking in the playlist section and not all videos!
Thank you for this. I finally feel validated. Instead of guessing it was only anxiety and depression.
Thank you for teaching all of TH-cam and for using your profession and knowledge to share with us!
@@ShaiLeaheyMusic don't you love her loll
This has been extremely helpful! I always thought l might have OCD but now l realise l don’t relate to any of these things. I suppose l must just be a perfectionist, because l always need to see and have everything in a certain order , for it to look at its best! Beauty is essential for my well being and after l have decorated a room to the exact way it looks best, l never want to see anything amiss or “out of place” 🙏
Get psilocybin shrooms products 🍄 💊 cus that's the only remedy from
*Willi_capps.*
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IN STA GRAM.
When I was a kid I had ocd. My brothers talked about me so bad I controlled it and eventually it went away. I finally know it was symmetrical and from anxiety. God this woman is a life saver. Thank you again.
You cannot get OCD and have it go away lol. Either you have ever had it or not.
The way you explained compulsions was amazing. The oven example was almost exactly like how I feel with checking my phone for notifications. I will even take my phone out in school, where I can get in trouble, to check it MULTIPLE TIMES. Every time I’m on my phone I check it before I unlock it, multiple times while I’m one it, and after I lock it back up. I also check it without actually using my phone. Even after I check it, I wonder if I ACTUALLY looked at it. Then I begin to wonder if it’s changed since then. It definitely takes up a lot of my time, maybe more than I spend actually using my phone. I don’t really talk to anyone about it because I know it’s a bit ridiculous to others, but my old therapist let me know that those things were normal for people with OCD. I also have a tiny bit of an obsession with the number 4, where I count tiles in fours as I walk, count my chews in fours, etc. It’s not as much as a problem, and I understand that nothing bad will happen if I don’t do this, besides increased anxiety. It’s mostly calming for me :). All to say, I love this video. You clearly know you stuff, and describe it in an accurate, yet understandable way.
Just woow! It has taken me 20 yr to know that my problem is just ocd. I have been bullied in school and told to die and go to heaven where there is no germs. My life is a living hell cause no one could understand me not even my family. I wish I can get medication. Thanks for the information. Love from East Africa
Oh no, I recommend you to not get medication, the side effects are awful. It’s best start treatment with therapy only, unless the psychiatrist and/or psychologist say you should take it.
Thank you Dr. Tracey Marks. The one about the mind an how our thoughts aren’t facts about ourselves aren’t true hit home.
Your videos are very good and so helpful. Thank you Dr. Marks.
You're welcome. Thanks for continuing to watch.
Would it be possible to do a video on Intrusive thoughts? I have heard of a few different mental health problems that have them.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll add it to my list.
Yes please
Me rn
@@DrTraceyMarks remember the nursery reighm " that stood on the house that Jack built" like maybe urine splashes on your leg , then you accidentally touch it then you touch something else , then something touches that and you constantly have to confess these things to your wife all day , that she has to get away from you because of mental exhaustion by you going on at her so much that your marriage suffers and you dont have sex with each other and paroxetine that you take for years because of toilet confessional obsessions doesn't work .tried clommiprimine but side effects of sweating was too much , stopped paroxetine and I'm not fat now.
Can you mention how a person with intrusive thought like the thought of jumping in from of a running train . How does ERP WORK HERE
Since I was little Ive been obsessed with possible contamination, dying, etc. I finally recognized this in myself in middle school and began trying to work through it, however, it's only gotten worse. I at one point was obsessed with the idea that a man was living in my ceiling and watching me sleep at night. I began hearing noises and "seeing" eyes in my vents. I haven't been able to admit to anyone how awful it got because as long as I did my night routine, I was able to feel safe (as safe as I could and not show distress) in my bed. OCD, Bipolar Disorder, and depression, plus many more conditions and illnesses run in my family on both sides. Luckily I am getting therapy soon, a psychologist and psychiatrist. My fear of contamination has hurt many relationships as spit and hugs can send me into a meltdown or shutdown. I hope I can get real help soon.
I am only 17.
🙏you are not alone💖
Dude I am completely feeling what you feel. Hopefully things have gotten better for you. It’s pretty comforting being able to relate to others ocd stuff.
Excellent overview of OCD. Factual and easy to follow. I am thoroughly knowledgeable about OCD, regrettably. But in the last 10 years, I've made great progress.
Wow! Thank you so much for making these!
You've helped me so much in understanding myself a little easier, and helped me understand what I can do to combat my OCD, and social + general anxiety disorder. Sometimes people don't exactly have the means to go get professional help, so this is truly some wonderful information that you are sharing with us.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. I really, very much appreciate all the effort and work you've done here☺️
I am subscribing!
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching and thanks for subscribing.
Dr Marks, I no longer plan and practice my rituals like i used to, but the need has never completely gone away. I have been like this since I was about 10 and I'm 61 now. I hid it and was ashamed for so many years. I had heard the term OCD, but I didn't really understand it. Then in 2008 I was watching a program with a doctor helping a group of people deal with theirs and I saw myself. It hit me like a bomb. I have never been to a doctor or diagnosed but I recognized myself in that moment. I do still struggle everyday to not let it overtake me. If you aren't vigilant it creeps in to daily life where habits can become something more. I appreciate the detailed explanation in your video. Thanks for posting this.
4:04 I have always been fearful that something will happen to harm my youngest daughter. I don't take extreme measures over it, it doesn't control my life. My daughter is very precious to me. Losing her, I feel like it would kill me, I love her so much.
Well hello. Complex BPD here, part of that OCD. Ill have to see if you have bpd videos. Your voice is so soothing. Thanks for all your help. I love that hair.
You're really good at explaining this. Esp, that feeling the droplets. For someone with contamination OCD, that's what really pushes me to wash (hands, feet, legs) because I feel it (germs) like it has a lot of weight.
9:05 from this point on I had shiver down my spine and wanted to vomit lmao the “ear finger” being pulled away from the cup is me 100%, washing hands immediately immediately immediately
It would be great if you could do a video on the stress/anxieties/fears that are affecting normal behaviour due to covid. The behaviours that are affecting those around you negatively.
Dr. Tracy Marks, I want to say thank you so much for braking it down to where even I can get the basics. Btw viva is the Spanish word for life, I see the Latin root.
Very descriptive desensitization treatments. Thanks for sharing the video!
You're welcome.
Oddly I was diagnosed OCD 12 years ago. It took me until the last three years of my life as I am pursuing my psychology MS to realize how accurate this diagonis truly was. Thanks for making these videos. I use them to help with additional learning in my own educational journey.
I was reading recently that compulsive shopping and overspending, may be a form of OCD. Prior to that I had read about them coming more so under the umbrella of behavioural addiction type behaviors.
Thank you Dr Marks for the video. I have been diagnosed with OCD for about 7 years , but I have not had any type of exposure treatment and just hearing your example of getting HIV was extremely triggering 😞 when you touched the toilet seat I had to stop watching completely. I am going to try and push myself to return and watch the entire video, as a form of treatment because this disorder does cause a person to miss out on a lot and I would like to start living more freely
I sought treatment for anxiety, ADHD and depression, however, I am a little afraid to mention my obsessive thoughts and compulsions to my doctor because I just don't want to add on yet another diagnosis.
a lot of diagnoses are comorbid, meaning they typically appear together in the same person. so your doctor won’t be surprised to hear that you may have OCD because it’s very common for people with ADHD, anxiety, and depression to have it as well
Same here. I did hide my ocd. I'm embarrassed to say that to doctor.
@@bellahnemetona5924 me too 😓 mental illnesses are stigmatized. People have negative attitudes towards anyone who is diagnosed it seems. Wish that could be changed 😓
@@mssweetlisa one day it certainly will change but now... there's long way ahead. Wish you all the best.
When she talked about the scenarios for treatment I got full body shivers and my skin started getting itchy just thinking about doing some of that stuff 😅
I experience intrusive thoughts of sounds or graphic images and it makes me feel tearful and anxious most days, and used to worry very often that I was a racist and homophobe (I am not). I do experience compulsions and urges to touch objects/surfaces and arrange things until they are perfect most days as well. However I find that the compulsions don't always relate to the intrusive thoughts and are usually completely random. I worry a lot about having an urge to hurt someone. I am very scared this could be OCD. What are your thoughts on this? Thank you so much Dr Marks.
i would rather think the urge to hurt someone is ocd rather than me being mentally ill. but to answer your question, yes, its OCD
Fifi I experience the same thing. I'm a hospital worker (soon to be in mental health actually!) and I have a lot of anxiety about the prospect of hurting people - and not just anyone, but those I love most.
Thank you. I have several of those compulsions, but none of them disrupts my life. It's good to know i am just wired wrong and not sick.
Hi Doctor Tracey. Can you make a video on sexually obsessive thoughts? 😖 it’s not a pretty topic I know but I’m sure others may need to hear about it, myself included. I think I have ADD as well.
Thank you so much Tracy for these informative videos. I can remember "ticks" or "obsessions" I had as young as 9/10 years old. When I look back at the behaviors I did for example, my left leg always had to be the last foot that touched the top of a flight of stairs and my right foot always had to be the last foot that touched the bottom of a flight of stairs or "my legs would fall off." I took it even further to make sure each foot was always exact, I would count how many stairs there was and know in my head that odd number of stairs I had to make my right foot step first in order for my left to always be the last to touch the top and the exact opposite for even number of stairs. I still do this today, but as an adult now and over time in and out of therapy I know for a fact my legs won't fall off but I think I still do it out of comfort. Again, thank you for putting names to things and putting informative knowledge out there. 18 years ago, I had no idea why I did certain behaviors and even felt "alone" and "different." Your videos are safe space for me.
This video made me realize....I really need to get some help
I really never realized my whole life this wasn’t normal
Update ?
Good for bro. Hope u can get it, and it makes ur life better. I am glad we are getting to a point in time where looking for help something to be proud of instead of hiding
Your hair is amazing!
Thank you so much for making this video! Was really beneficial
I’m so glad it was helpful.
wow, thank you so much for producing these high quality and super professional videos! It can be hard to find trustworthy info out there, appreciate you!
Dr. Marks, please consider a video on picking/excoriation. A particular question is why one would pick/harm certain areas of the body. Thank you.
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll add it to my list of topics
@@DrTraceyMarks Thank you. Im a male, and sometimes I cut my own hair or moustache or beard. I did medicate with ssri and it helps a bit.
@@DrTraceyMarks I'd like to know more about self harm. My son does it and won't accept professional help. I just wish I knew what to do and why he does it.
Hi Shanna. Just to share.. I pull my hair out. I've done it forever. I used to dig at my hands, wrists until a layer of skin came off. I wanted to let you know about TLC. trichotillomania learning center. It's in California in case you look it up. It's about hair pulling and skin picking and other stuff. You are not alone. You're not crazy. I thought i was. Who pulls and picks for HOURS? In a translike state? It's a wonderful place for information and encouragement. I hope this reply helps. Take care.
i also pick my skin (lips, fingers, etc) and ill do it for hours and it will lead to lesions/scars. i can't stop no matter if I cut my nails or fidget with other stuff, the urge is too strong. I've been doing it since i was 6 :(
I got my answers . Thanks ma'am
I had this period of time when I was around 13 where I had to not step on the cracks, there was no consequence or whatever if I did but it got to the point it consumed so much of my thought I was getting so stressed that I forced myself to start stepping on the cracks all the time.. and I got over it pretty quick. I imagine that must be what it’s like to have OCD, though more difficult to overcome!
Holy shit that stuff you said at the end is like quite literally what I learned to do on my own growing up since I was getting sick and tired of my odd behaviours and thoughts. Wish I had an adult paying attention to me better so that I could of maybe have gotten over my issues sooner. Some compulsive behaviours return every now and then but I tend to get over it with some focus in the moment
would you do a video on hoarding? outdoor hoarding everything except trash. Hoarding even trees and metal, wood, or things people discard.
Fear of HIV infection is so exactly what my mom was terrified of! She thought she was going to get HIV infection from literally everything. From DOOR KNOBS YES! but also from specks of red in her food, used Band-Aids in the parking lot, somebody having their finger in their ear and then touching my mom. She thought she could get an HIV infection from a dirty dog leash that our dog peed on 5 years ago and the leash has been washed many times since. But it doesn't matter because the leash is contaminated.
I love your videos. Can you please do a video on trichotillimania and how to cope with it while having ocd? I've been in therapy for years an still struggle with how to stop.
I’ve gone through so much cbt, it is helpful. So many lists 😩
I clean my apartment 3 times a week. I cannot sleep at night if something is out of place. I fear filth and odor, ect. I clean the toilet after each use.
This is really interesting. I know a couple of folks who have OCD and it was difficult to understand because the folks I know who have it don't share a lot of details. This helps me understand better. My mom had OCD and she had the harm thoughts. That's not easy to admit, but this explains a lot.
I've had moderate-severe OCD with delusional beliefs ever since I can remember (the first disruptive obsessions and compulsions I remember were around age 3) comorbid with several other disorders, and longitudinally involving just about every mahor form of OCD you can have (sexual, harm, contamination, etc.). I also respond poorly to SSRIs - they are either ineffective or intolerable for me.
An anxiolytic combination helped a noticeable amount, amd utilizing exposure + response prevention has too, but adding risperidone has been one of the most useful steps for my OCD. It's reduced delusional content + conviction, but probably the most impactful effect has been reduction in emotional response to OCD triggers. Initially my typical response would be profound anxiety leading to a panic attack and/or dissociation, sometimes also including things like aggression, self-loathing spirals, or physical illness. It's much more rare now for me to experience this kind of response, and that's allowed me to confront triggers more efficiently.
This isn't a medication recommendation for anyone; mostly I feel like sharing because I guess I am profoundly relieved. Every secons of my day used to be consumed with OCD symptoms. I would stay up for hours at night checking things, or get stuck in doorways because I couldn't exit the "right" way or figure out what the "right" way was supposed to be. I've developed phobias, picked scars in my skin, and washed my hands until they bled. I didn't even suspect I had OCD until I was 12. At 23, this is the freest I've been for 20 years and I didn't know that was even possible.
Yes my friend also has OCD and she's told me meds only work in about 50% of cases. She doesn't use meds. They never worked for her either and also caused severe side effects as they did in her case. OCD is a lifelong disorder but in her 20s, my friend has learned to manage and is not impaired in her daily life anymore. I hope her story offers hope.
My daughter and I both have diagnosed OCD since childhood. I feel intensely guilty about her suffering which fuels my compulsions. These are heavily carried out in my sleep as fighting it when I’m awake is a fight I never get a break from. I have finally stopped cutting but picking, hoarding and needing to speak to my husband at least once every 10 minutes feel impossible to overcome.
Thank you for this video.
Get psilocybin shrooms products 🍄 💊 cus that's the only remedy from👇.
*Willi_capps.*
ON
IN STA GRAM.
What about the thoughts 💭 that’s my issue
As long as ur not doing what ur thinking. You are fine. Remember they are just thoughts. I have then too. I cant control them. I've learned they come out the most when I'm stressed or depressed. So I would try to relax. Let the thoughts come and go. Dont suppress them. It makes them worse. Learn to control them so they dont control you. It's a long process but I promise it gets easier and better.
Thanks. The book "30 Days to Reduce Anxiety" by Harper Daniels was also helpful.
About the thoughts, NOTHING. LET THEM GO, AND NOT GIVING THEM IMPORTANCE.
You aren't your thoughts. The dimiurge will project thoughts that you mistakenly perceive as your own. As long as you do not act on them and allow them to pass, you are behaving in a perfectly healthy manner. We can't remove these aspects, but we can mitigate them ♡
@@IrieRogue absolutely true. I had the same problem, and that is the cure!
Simply put, this video is me. My obsessions are soaring on a different level and it's not normal, at all. If I see something disgusting, it stays on my mind for days or weeks and it does affect my appetite, sleep, social interactions. It must stop