Superstitions and anxiety

[georgiam901]

I’ve dealt with anxiety for a number of years now. More so OCD and my way of thinking.
For example: I have to touch things a certain number of times, I can’t let my phone autocorrect me, I have to twist a door knob and the shut the door, not just pull the door because the clicking noise makes me uneasy, etc. It has since even gotten worse to the point that if my kids pick up a tails up penny, I throw myself into a panic, I hit a bird today!!!!! I’ve been a mess since. I have a therapist, I can only imagine what a fruit loop she thinks I am! But these obsessive thoughts OVER TAKE MY LIFE! I so badly want to live happy and free as I use too years ago. It affects not only me, but my marriage, and me as a mother... anyone have any coping mechanism to help push through these annoying habits!? I drive myself mad daily, I know it’s not normal, but I feel like I have to do these certain odd things or twitches I guess or everything will go horribly wrong! :’(

[Paxiled]

Sometimes the type of therapist you have can make a difference.  If you have one who just sits and chats, as most of them do, you probably won't make any progress changing your thinking, though you might learn a lot about yourself.  If you have one of those you might look into one who does CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, or incorporates that into their treatment.  Also hypnosis can help, as well as relaxation techniques such as meditation, exercise, breathing exercises as you'd do in yoga but more focused.  But at some point to treat OCD you have to get to the point where you start not performing your rituals over and over until your brain grasps that not doing them won't kill you.  It's hard, but it's the treatment.  Just sitting and talking to a therapist and never getting to actions probably won't help.  If nothing else works, you're looking at medication to control the symptoms.  Peace.

[georgiam901]

Thanks for your reply! It’s been a serious struggle to live with everyday. I have done things in my past that seem to trigger it even more! Yes, you’re right talking is about all I can find in my area, therapist wise and I do not take medication. I’ll try other at home techniques to help quell these terrible ticks.