AssemblyBoard

I wash my hands about 40 times a day.
I try to put things in their place, exactly correct, between 20 and 40 times per day.  Most times I check to make sure I've done it right.

At the end of the day, I try to make sure that everything adds up perfectly, to the penny.

I am really careful to keep the office clean.  I disinfect things all the time.  I check on them all the time. I want it to be clean, all the time.

If I touch someone, before I touch the next person, I wash my hands.

Is this normal?  Because I took a test, and found out that I really do have OCD, because of what I do everyday.(except Thursday, Saturday,Sunday.)

Brent

I do this alot too Brent, and more so if working with the public. Sort oif a germaphobe thing. Cleanliness is next to Godliness! Alot of this comes from me working in surgery and having to practice sterile technique, its hard to shake off when I'd get home. What is clean and what is contaminated. You really see the assm in this especially BG and all her hang-ups...No Dought...Summer.

P.S. Brent just don't lock yourself in that filthy hotel room, if you start walkin around with kleenex boxes on your feet I'm sure someone will call for help!

I go through 40 bottles of Liquid Soft Soap in a month, but I feel pretty normal.

--Joe

I'm learning more about my condition, OCD, and how to live with it.  A lot of things are going to have to change now that I know I have OCD.  I'm focusing, like a laser beam.

Working hands on with the public has always meant that I needed to wash my hands frequently, because I was worried about germs.  I also found myself disinfecting furniture that people would lie on..several times per day.  Well, it turns out that my job was actually making my OCD worse!  So, there are going to have to be some changes there. I'm going to need to find work where I don't touch anything and there are no germs.....unless I can treat my disorder effectively, by focusing like a laser beam.

The same website where I took the test PROVING that I have OCD also had treatment regimes outlined.   One of them is called,  "behavior modification."  The example they gave was to have a person with OCD---me---do something, or touch something that would normally make them want to wash or disinfect. Then, DON'T WASH FOR A FEW HOURS.  That helps them get over it, by modifying behavior, and focusing like a laser beam on dealing with OCD.

So, I'm trying it.  After touching someone, and getting skin oils, make-up, hair product, acne juice, whatever, on my hands....I don't wash and just move on to the next patient.  I'm not cleaning the tables either.  It's working wonders, I am losing my compulsion to wash!

If I go out of business, or quit my job, I won't even have to worry about it any longer, and will be able to really focus, like a laser beam, on my illness and the best way to learn to live with it. 

I should be a different person in a year, if I keep this up, and get serious about learning as much as I can about living with OCD.

Suzie is going to take some classes on how to cope with living with a person with OCD.  She is focusing like a laser beam. All this time she made it worse, because she would tell the kids,  "Wash your hands!"  Well, you can imagine to pressure that put on me, not to mention the way I would pressure the kids to wash.  I am pretty sure that two of them have OCD as well.  Our teenage girl is acting weird too.  One minute she's sweet, the next she gets irritated.  And she fights with her friends sometimes, and then makes up the next day!  She makes a big deal about things. So, we're focusing, like a laser beam, trying to figure out what's wrong with her.

Hopefully, I can qualify for some long-term temporary assistance.

Brents

No comment.

the main point I'm trying to make is that I would be a different person if I pursued help.
Also, please be assured that my patients are NOT getting substandard care in any way.  I'm just trying to show how my new-found OCD could have an impact on my work.

This is how I found the cure. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust" really were composed of earthly matter, the fruits and veges are grown outside in the ground with of all things some sort of fertilizer, gasp, unless your organic?, then fish swimin filthy rivers and oceans loaded with pcb's and other toxic matter, cows, milk, chickens are loaded with growth hormones so really everythings contaminated in some way. I do double wash if somethings really bad like a hand-shake from a stranger, and I have some dis-infectant in the car, just in case I touch something gross. Thank-God I'm no longer around blood products. But did you know most germs reside on keyboards, so be sure to clean yours effectively, really alot of people get sick sharing keyboards. Summer. p.s. Joe I hope your using the type that kills germs on contact!

Here's the thing I keep thinking about, over and over and over and over and over...

If we try to kill all the germs, won't they just get stronger?  That's why I use soap. It just washes them away, which is even more important now that all the germs are so much stronger.

I was going to post about 10 posts on this, but instead, I decided to focus like a laser beam on just making this one post perfect.

That's what I'm learning now.  Just stop and ask yourself, "Is what I am doing really important right now?"  I think that pretty much says it.  I cancelled my patient load for 2 weeks in order to de-stress and get some time for myself, to focus like a laser beam on getting well.

I'm starting to get anxious about how I'm going to pay my bills, so I may have some other problems developing. Ativan is a good anti-anxiety drug I hear. Layer upon layer. You must peel them all back and get to the core, the thing that really starts the problem. Focus like a laser beam, get to the core.

I have help and support, so even if I can't pay my bills I know I'll be OK.  Thankfully, no one has told me to do anything different.

I'm reading "The Attributes of God."  I think I will post some of the chapters for everyone to read. 

Brents

I forgot to mention I was at a friends recently, and I was of all things washing my hands and he quickly warned me that one sponge was for the counter, and one for the dishes and not to mix them up, beleive me I would'nt of touched them, then he went so far as to show me how he sterilized it in the microwave. Wow I was really impressed, this is my type of guy, I was glad he cared about such things. And yes the house is a Museum....Summer p.s. B you do have all the signs: checking, counting, washing, and dis-infecting, and posting compulsively.

The funny thing is, at first I thought this was a joke.  Someone said,  "Brent may have OCD."

I thought to myself,  "Yeah right."

Well, I took a test online, and it turns out I almost certainly have OCD.  I wash my hands all the time, as i mentioned below.  I check to make sure things are in the right place, and then I re-check.  I do this many times per day.  I also post compulsively.

In focusing like a laser beam, I learned that I have a disorder.  The more I learn, the more I find out that my life must change, and those around me change in order to support me. 

Suzie is going to have to go find a job, and we're focusing like a laser beam on getting her one.

You never know when something like this could happen to you.  Last week I was fine, and then I find out I have this problem...well, you want to take care of it right?  Well, taking care of it means not doing certain things that make it worse, or that stress me, and that means work.

I need to focus and find a job where I don't touch things or people.  Because that is not good for a person with OCD.  I'm just not ready for that now.  I talk to other people who have this, and some of them haven't worked in a long time, so my case is actually quite mild.  If I focus like a laser beam, I may be able to make some progress over time and learn how to live with this.

Brents

That's interesting.  He didn't have AIDS at all, but he thought he did.  Does he still think he has AIDS?

Is he still your friend?  Do you still see him?

I have a theory that when people think there is something wrong with them, and someone comes along and convinces them that there really is something wrong...things go downhill from there; IF in fact, there is nothing wrong to begin with.

I had a patient like this. He/She used to come in every day, worried that they "messed up" their adjustment.  Well, that is a Chiropractors dream, the same patient coming in over and over and over and over...paying each time.

However, I felt really bad for him/her, and didn't charge them for the visits that weren't needed.  I kept telling them to knock it off, stop acting crazy, if there was something wrong I'd tell them. A couple times she/he threatened to go to another Dr.  I said,  "OK.  Do you think they will tell you you're OK, or will they take all your money?"  (She had one do that before)

Long story short, she only comes in about once every two months now, and she/he no longer thinks everything is getting "messed up." 

I had to contradict her repeatedly, and "get tough."  She/he thanks me for it now.

Brent

Brent, I'd beenwanting to say this is all in your mind your imagining things!  So snap out of it, its part of your job everything your describing, except for compulsive posting. Maybe Suzie should take the computer away from you. How'd ya like that?  Summer

There's no way you could understand.  Who are you to tell me?

I thought you were supposed to be a Christian?

Brents

Please grab a paper bag if you start to hyperventilate. It's my duty to tell you the truth! Maybe you should go off-line for a while, ei that or a plastic-bubble, sorry I know the Truth hurts.  Summer. p.s. guy I really feel mean doing this.

She's a fair-weather friend, Brents.

Summer, back off. You will cause an OCD episode, an OCD trantrum. You are NOT being a friend to him.

You want to be his friend? Buy him a ticket to the ARAAC conference. You know he's going through a difficult time right now. BAAAAAAACK OFF!!

thank you for your understanding and support.

Right..Hello enabeler Bel, is it beelzebub? Like this is a time to get Sheepish, huh? He could end up slothing around reading books, being so heavenly minded he's no earthly good. This hurts me, more then it hurts you!

No problem. I've got ya covered, Brentsie.

Oh, Ho Ho. How many times have we heard this, now: Hurts me more than it hurts you? Yeah, yeah, yeah, the old paddle-the-butt guilt trip.

Left the gate open and the goat escaped, eh? Well, don't use Brentsie for your new one!

We could give you a new name here: Weasel. DON'T make waves in Brentsie's life now. He's like a bear that's hibernating while he heals.

Later.... oh you Daughter of George.

Here's a hundred or so tests to take: http://www.healthyplace.com/site/tests/psychological.asp#personality_disorders

If you take all of the tests, you may be compulsive.

I never wash my truck, so I guess I'm a slob. 

Dan

Well, the only way any living person can know that is if they have taken the mark of the beast and worshipped him.
From a human perspective (the only one that practically matters to us), as long as you draw breath, God is nigh...




I hear what you are saying David. I tend to be more direct when I want to infllict damage. I have never been one for subtlety. Hard to judge what motives are although you are right it does look contemptuous.
Never let the conduct of others disturb your own conscience. Speak the truth in love my friend.
Verne

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, as they say.

If we allow one to post like this, and say nothing....why not allow another?

Yes, this is mockery.  It certainly is.

No, I do not have OCD, and if I did, I wouldn't go to people who would make me into half a person.  I do know someone who had OCD, who was a school teacher, raised kids, and was an awesome guy.  He worked with wood, in a woodshop to manage his OCD.  His shop and tools were spotless, and his product was tremendous.

Simple, direct communication was tried with a person.  Public communication was also tried.  The result was a steady barrage of verbal abuse via email, and more of the same type of behavior.  In other words, the normal, "decent" channels were tried, to no avail.

Someone has to tell a person behaving like I have been to stop.  David said it, and he said it well.  However, what if I paid no attention to him and railed on him instead?  Would you excuse me and show me all sorts of mercy because you think I am stupid, or substandard?  I hope not.

Think about it.  Why is it wrong for me to behave this way?  I really do have all the symptoms of OCD, even if they are just a natural consequence of my work...I could certainly get a diagnosis if I wanted to.  Does a person have special rights because they are needy?  Shouldn't they benefit from adapting, instead of being accomodated? 

If a person can't walk, whould other people be forced to carry them....or should they get a wheelchair?  Which is best for the person?  The answer is obvious.

There is much more to be said here, but as long as I continue to get verbal abuse----which I do not respond to in kind-----and the person dishing it takes the spiritual highground....I'm going to mock.  It's well deserved.

The next step is to ignore them....then to ban them.  Is that what you think I should do?

David, you mock George, why is that OK?

Brent

Very well put, oh thou vicarious mouthpiece.

I'm just washing my hands of this whole mess.

David you story is not at all atypical. Most of us who ended up in the clutches of a man like Geftakys were searching for something. In my case, I was a first year graduate student very far from home and family, and having to quickly make adjustments in totally unfamiliar surroundings. The thing I remember about that time most is the overpowering lonliness and missing the islands. I think it made me more vulnerable than I would have been otherwise.
Verne

My opinion David, the brothers should show compassion, support and encourage you, the victim, and help you find true healing from the abuse you suffered.

If I have been that friend to the victim then I would expect that when I share an opinion about a matter the victim would seriously consider it rather than blast me for not being supportive and encouraging.  I will not flatter just to remain in someone's good books.  Also, in situations like this, there is a lot that happens behind the scenes (sometimes) and, out of respect and politeness for the other, what gets posted on board is a toned down version.  So people on board do not always see the whole picture.

There are some people who enjoy their victim status and will prolong it for eternity.

Here is a quote from Beth Moore:
Her sudden paralysis could not keep God from surpassing Joni Ereckson Tada's dreams.  Her horrifying stay in a Nazi concentration camp could not keep God from surpassing Corrie Ten Boom's dreams.  Her world of poverty and suffering could not keep God from surpassing Mother Teresa's dreams.

God surpasses our dreams when we reach past our personal plans and agendas to grab the hand of Christ and walk the path He chose for us.

Marcia

P.S.  belfry, you are very punny. :)

Brent, you have a right to retaliate against someone who is attacking YOU. But I was brought into this thread unwittingly. I posted comments that could have been perceived as unkind to this person who I don't even know.  That is what is bothering my concience.

David, This was really a run away train, no-one knew where it would end up! Summer. (Your so compassionate, its really sweet!) If I offended you I beg your pardon, we can't come on here and have cookie-cutter discussions and opinions really then whats the point, I "normally" do not post on impulse like that, then if I wait toooo long the discussion is over....I think the Lord is still in your heart, or really close by.

Who took the soap?

I'm pretty sure I'm not obsessive or compulsive, but if I don't type at least
twenty-four words in a post it drives me nuts.

You are definitely NOT nuts...I counted!  ;D
Verne

Here's one I get a phone call from my sister she asks me if I'd seen the show on Oprah or Dr. Phil about O.C.D.( I missed it) She says the girl with the condition had to count and touch everything 45 times, 45 was the magic number# for everything. Can you imagine how nutty this is? really I don't think you all have it that bad.  Summer.

All I want to know is, Who took the soap??