With the popularity of the Anxiety/Depression/Mental Illness Support Thread http://atheistforums.org/thread-10302.html, I thought it might be good to have separate threads so that people with specific issues can discuss them. It will lend a more linear experience for those seeking advice on a specific topic. I would love to see the support thread stay active for those who want to interact there. I just enjoy that so many people are opening up and want to give them more opportunities to do so.
So, with that said, I'm going to start this thread and an anxiety thread because these are the two issues that I am familiar with. I encourage anyone to go ahead and start threads on different mental illness topics as well.
Here goes . . .
Pure OCD is essentially obsessive compulsive disorder without obvious compulsions. In other words, the person experiences the distressing thoughts that drive people to compulsive behaviors, but they do not have compulsive behaviors that are obvious. We deal with avoidance, mental checks, etc., but do not engage in the more physical compulsions that have made OCD such a known illness.
Distressing thoughts differ from person-to-person. If you worry about your family or have fleeting weird thoughts, don't stress. You don't have OCD. When they are repetitive and cause severe anxiety, then you might have a problem. Anyway, I don't know if anyone else here has this. It is my understanding that it is less common than OCD with outward compulsions, but, if you do, my inbox is open and I'm willing to chat in this thread.
ETA: I just learned that this is a neuropsychological condition, rather than just a mental illness. Nonetheless, I think the anxiety it creates is enough to warrant calling it a mental illness. It is my understanding that the "neuro" part is what makes the thoughts repeat and become intrusive. The mental part is where it freaks you the fuck out.
Oh, and I should mention that this is for support and sharing of experiences. Please do not give out medical advice, such as cessation of medication or self medicating. It is absolutely fine to offer up behavioral advice or coping mechanisms, but handing out medical advice to people with mental illnesses can have terrible consequences. Leave that to doctors. Offering up your experience with medicine is fine too.
So, with that said, I'm going to start this thread and an anxiety thread because these are the two issues that I am familiar with. I encourage anyone to go ahead and start threads on different mental illness topics as well.
Here goes . . .
Pure OCD is essentially obsessive compulsive disorder without obvious compulsions. In other words, the person experiences the distressing thoughts that drive people to compulsive behaviors, but they do not have compulsive behaviors that are obvious. We deal with avoidance, mental checks, etc., but do not engage in the more physical compulsions that have made OCD such a known illness.
Distressing thoughts differ from person-to-person. If you worry about your family or have fleeting weird thoughts, don't stress. You don't have OCD. When they are repetitive and cause severe anxiety, then you might have a problem. Anyway, I don't know if anyone else here has this. It is my understanding that it is less common than OCD with outward compulsions, but, if you do, my inbox is open and I'm willing to chat in this thread.
ETA: I just learned that this is a neuropsychological condition, rather than just a mental illness. Nonetheless, I think the anxiety it creates is enough to warrant calling it a mental illness. It is my understanding that the "neuro" part is what makes the thoughts repeat and become intrusive. The mental part is where it freaks you the fuck out.
Oh, and I should mention that this is for support and sharing of experiences. Please do not give out medical advice, such as cessation of medication or self medicating. It is absolutely fine to offer up behavioral advice or coping mechanisms, but handing out medical advice to people with mental illnesses can have terrible consequences. Leave that to doctors. Offering up your experience with medicine is fine too.
