HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

My OCD is in full active mode lately!

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/15/2011 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
I'm having a hard time controlling it. I have serious health anxiety, that has been controlled with medication for the last few years. But as we all know it's not a cure. There are certain times where it acts up terribly for me. This is one of them, we leave Saturday for vacation. Usually that means for the few weeks before our trip I want to go NO where. That way I won't come in contact with germs and won't get sick. Yeah I know irrational, but that's what I deal with.

Well today is our 15th Anniversary. The trip is to celebrate it, but my husband wants to go out to dinner tonight. Which shouldn't be a big deal normally, but with a few days until our trip, I'm a mess. What if the waiter is sick? What if someone in the kitchen is sick and touches my food? I'll be sick on vacation for sure. UGH Sometimes I just wish my brain would be quiet in there.

Depressing because I have been doing so well over the past few years. I know I need to just GO to dinner, if I don't I just disappoint my husband and allow this disorder to rule me. But it's so hard. Thanks for listening.
Posted 6/15/2011 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
What is the worst thing that could happen if the waiter or the cook is sick? You might get sick on your wedding anniversary vacation. But then again, what are the chances that they would go to work if they were sick? Look at it that way. If you are sick, you generally stay home. Don't let your mind take over right now. Try to relax, and enjoy your evening. Nothing bad is going to happen. Just take it as it comes. Remember, it is just nasty anxiety trying to take over.

I hope that you can relax and enjoy this special time.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/15/2011 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Jen,

I am sorry to hear you anxiety is in your way right now. 

Anticipatory anxiety is where a person experiences increased levels of anxiety by thinking about an event or situation in the future ( your vacation).  The worries you experience specifically focus on what you think might happen, often with catastrophic predictions about the event.

To begin treating anticipatory anxiety, we must be able to admit that we cannot predict the future. Any scenario we are able to imagine is nothing more than speculation and fabrication.

When you find yourself wondering, "What if..." Stop! Take a deep breath; breathe in through the nose, hold the air in your lungs for a count of four, then slowly let the air out through the mouth. Next, Kick the anxiety to the curb ..........you do not need it in your life.  Happy Anniversary !
Posted 6/16/2011 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much to the both of you. Skitt you nailed it for me, and that is what I need to do. I can't control the future, and I can't prevent every little thing from happening. The "what if's" can just take over my life if I let it.

So I went out to dinner, had a nice time. Although I noticed the waitress had a nasal sound in her voice. Ugh, but I told myself it could just be allergies and to just STOP already. Sometimes it's hard living in my own head! I'm going to try and use that breathing technique, I think I'm going to need it. Thanks again. It's so helpful knowing this board is here with people who understand, and don't think I'm crazy!
Posted 6/19/2011 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
I know exactly how you feel this is one of my many fears,you are not alone.I am afraid of germs,afraid of medicines,I am always checking things whether its my blood pressure,my temperature,the doors are locked,if the pill I'm taking looks right if the cap on the pop looked like it was sealed etc....I have tried just doing the thing that makes me uncomfortable but for me that doesn't work or maybe I just need more practice.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply