I've always had a few obsessional thoughts but in the last couple months I've developed some compulsions as well... classic handwashing but also cleaning my teeth more than I should. Suddenly the world seems like it is brimming with germs and I just don't know how to cope. I feel suffocated by them. I don't want to put my feet on the bed... I've completely stopped going barefeet anywhere. I have never paid attention to how unclean everything is before now. I'm not sure why my awareness of germs has suddenly come to the forefront, but it is awful and I don't want it to get any worse.
Can anyone suggest the best way to go from here? Can you recommend a particular form of treatment?
Different treatments work for different people. But i would recommend either CBT or hypnotherapy try both & see if either work best for you. I personally found hypnotherapy better, but that's just me. x
Hi Jael128 have you tried the anti depressant anafranil (Clomipramine), it's one of the old styles tricyclics but is proven to be really effective with OCD. Venlefaxine is another AD which helps with OCD but reviews are firmly with Anafranil
My experience with hypnotherapy is mixed but it will help you in resisting the urge or compulsions, CBT will help re frame the thought processes.
Best to discuss with your health professional and perhaps mention the above.
Hello Aspinan, I was hoping to find a treatment that didn't involve medication. I'm bipolar and unable to take antidepressants. They send me into this weird thing called mixed mood. I've been on Venlafaxine before though it was a long time ago. I took it when depressed but it didn't help much. I've made an appointment to see a psychologist and I'm guessing she'll suggest a CBT-like approach. My doctor said there's an online treatment run through a university here (in Australia) so I thought I might try that too. Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it. I'd never considered hypnotherapy for this. I'm not sure what I think about it.