Extravert with OCD

[mopedmike]

Hi everyone I'm Moped Mike. I'm 56 and had bad bouts with OCD since I was in Jr.High. like many of you I had talked to some Psychologists and did not find any help. I lived in a 3rd world country for 10 years with that germaphobe stuff intrusive thoughts and killer car syndrome.(not fun!!!!) I finally got help in 2003 and was put on a generic form of prozac. Then my benefits got completely screwed up and I went on just St. Johns Wort it worked for years. I was so happy that I thought I had a real manageable way of dealing with it. But it has lately lost it's effectiveness for me. I'm trying dietary ways of increasing my serotonin levels and looking into some CBT. My grandmother had it my mom myself and now my daughter has it. I'm a gregarious extravert so humor has been my weapon of choice when trying to deal with it's effects but I have to admit sometimes it's not very funny. Lately battling the intrusive thought has been breaking out into my public life and I'm very afraid that it will affect my job and family just when I' feel I've been making some real forward progress in my life. I've heard that many of us are introverts and fear public speaking well I'm the opposite I fear being isolated and lonely because of what OCD is doing to me. For me the 2nd heaviest weight has been the stigmatism of it but I speak up about it so there will be less of a stigmatism for all of us. This is however the first time I've shared this fear of losing it, I need to get it off my chest and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this. I know logically there will be better days ahead I guess I'm feeling unnerved because I really thought I had it handled.

[Wheeloffortune]

Hi! Welcome! I’m 57 years old and have had harm ocd for a long time. I’ve had anxiety for most of my life!I went on Paxil for years and was greatly helped with intrusive thoughts but didn’t realize I had other things I was avoiding. OCD makes me insecure and a people pleaser. I too am an extrovert and fear isolation and loneliness.

So, my violent intrusive thoughts returned after I had some major changes in my career. Thankfully, I was able to find an OCD specialist that specializes in it and does ERP

It’s not easy, and I have ups and downs but I believe it’s working and I will continue to work on this awful condition!!!

There is hope!!

[bab5]

Hello Mike! I, too, began with my severe bouts of OCD during junior high school.

I am sorry to hear that you did not find any help through psychologists.

You lived in a third world country for 10 years???? Holy shit.

That seems like a serious trigger for the type of OCD that you have implied that you suffer from.

Prozac is a life saver.

It worked for years? That’s awesome

I am glad to hear that you experienced a massive window of opportunity for your future.

I am very sad to hear that the effectiveness of the medication has decreased.

Dietary ways of increasing serotonin? That is some serious dedication.

I am excited to hear that you’re looking into beginning CBT.

OCD is extremely genetic.

I, too, tend to be an extrovert. Humor is a weapon for the both of us.

OCD is definitely not funny

Intrusive thoughts certainly have the potential to impact public life. It is a very sad but very true reality of suffering from OCD.

I am glad that you have felt like you have been making real progress in your life.

I agree with your outward fears.

The stigmatism is a killer. It really destroys self confidence. I have been there. I promise you.

This community is the perfect place to share that fear for the first time.

You are definitely not alone.

I understand the nervousness.

It gets better from here.

I can promise you that.