I'm a teenager and have had OCD since I was 8 I have always been quite an anxious person but I'm not really sure where it started it just started when I was young it was quite extreme it would be like going back and fourth to touch things otherwise something bad would happen and that would add on a good 25 minutes to the walk home from school or having to excessively check the curtains were shut anyway it died down a bit but know I'm a teen homeschooled by the way it has become worse I have always's had it bad but now it is really bad It is exhausting I really don't mean to offend anyone as I know any type of ocd is awful but I just wish I had the one where I have to wash my hands three times my one is awful it affects everything from the way I write a text message or what I eat or what item I want to purchase but most of the time it is touching things like In a routine like for example I will have to touch the wheels at the bottom of my bed in a certain order for a certain amount of times whilst standing on one leg which is really hard but I can’t stop until I get it write which can be exhausting cause I can be there for a good 20 minutes when I all I want to do is lie down and go to sleep my rituals and touching things has gotten so bad that I will just avoid going into different rooms or just ask my mum to get me something to avoid touching things for half an hour I know it sounds stupid but I just can’t help it because if I don’t do it I will have bad thoughts about bad things happening which will make me anxious and of course the quick fix for that is performing the rituals but I can’t take it no more it’s awful it’s so draining I’m so anxious all the time I perform rituals almost every hour of everyday sometimes touching stuff for 30 minutes straight I’m so tired from the anxiety and stress and constant thoughts I sometimes burst out crying of how tiring it is whilst performing the rituals touch this touch that do this do that I can’t stick it I have tried to stop but I just can’t I’m am just really stuck my body aches from running around constantly touching objects to relive the anxiety and intrusive thoughts
Extreme ocd taking over my life: I'm a teenager... - OCD Support
OCD Support
Extreme ocd taking over my life
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It does take over your life. I know how it is! But there are things you can do.
It is, as you say, exhausting and draining, and it can preoccupy you and affect everything you do. Medication is very helpful, if you are not already taking it, although it is often not prescribed to under 18s, as it can make them feel worse in some cases. So if you do take medication and you feel worse on it, report this immediately to your doctor.
The other treatment is cognitive behaviour therapy. Ask for a referral to a therapist if you aren't already getting treatment. It isn't always easy to do, as it involves challenging the rituals and cutting them down, but it is effective.
I developed a series of rituals when I was about ten or eleven and they were so tiresome I gradually managed to cut them down until I got rid of them altogether. The rituals involved touching different parts of my body and counting. I didn't know it, then, but I was putting into practice CBT techniques!
It might also help to get a few books about OCD. I've found Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and The OCD Workbook helpful, but there are others, and some are aimed at young people like you.
I hope the home schooling is helping. Perhaps consider going to college when you're older. Colleges now have support in place for people with mental health problems. Don't be afraid to give it a go. Many people with OCD, me included, have been to college and university and done well!
Hi Erin1234 - I am so sorry that you are going through this. I hope you and your mum are trying to find some professional help for you since you are having so much trouble with everyday living and functioning. OCD is very torturous. You're not alone in this.
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