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OCD's not all bad, though is it. Take the compulsion to get things "right". If you can focus it onto a move that needs practice, for instance, then having a deck next to you to fiddle with as and when you need it is all you need to divert the drive. Just tell people you're thinking deep thoughts if they ask.

Compulsively having to do something for fear that disaster will strike if you don't can come in very useful in developing new tricks if you can re-focus it into noting down all the titbits of information you discover about something you're working on - for fear of them being lost forever (a real disaster!).

Many people with OCD have a need not to break "links" between people, like walking between them on the street. How might you weave that into a mentalism effect, like a pseudo-telepathy trick between two spectators? After all, half believing in the trick yourself makes the audience get into the moment.

And, if you get very nervous before a performance, the symptoms can get very bad, so why not channel that extra energy into final practice to make sure you're properly warmed up and ready for whatever happens?

So, seeing it as a unique gift looking for a use as well as a curse might help a lot. The guy you eventually get to see might suggest things like this too, so that the urges either disipate or get redirected into useful actions.

Dunno really, just thinking aloud again.

That is good advice Tomo, one of the techniques I was taught for when I had my condition was diversion, as you say channel your energys into somthing totaly different and more positive. Allthough OCD and GAD are different conditions they do share some of the same symptoms.

When I was about to have an episode (as I call it) I would start to fidget with anything, and the parralel thing drove my wife nuts, I would have to make sure objects were completely straight and aligned on the table, it was like playing tetris with my ciggies, lighter, tv remote, books anything in sight or reach. If she took all the items out of my sight I would start making patterns with my fingers over and over. She would often refer to the film that was mentioned "As good as it gets" and say that was just like me! (Jack Nicholson was the actor) I still have little rituals, but I am able to realise when I am doing them now and control them with circular breathing exersises and diversion techniques.

As was also mentioned, challange yourself each day, try to break one of the rituals, ever so slightly and reasses what happenes when you only turn the light off 8 times instead of 9 times, you will see that nothing happens, try to remember nothing bad has ever happened before and nothing bad happened then! I learned this from my sessions and it does work! I had to reprogram my thort process over time.

I hope some of this will be of some use or help to you.

I too had never really thought about it like that either...that certianly is an interesting idea, isn't it, one worth trying too.

Thanks for the advice, I shall give it all a go .

The handwashing even/uneven really got my attention... I have a serious problem with "uneven" things, I can't watch uneven channals on tv, and when I'm listening to tv/radio/whatever the volume has to be on an even number... I have to eat even amounts of things, I have to wake up/go to sleep on times that are even, etc...

and I always feel like my hands need to be washed, if I try playing the guitar/doing a card trick without washing my hands it takes all the fun out of it, and I just feel like I'm making everything dirty with my hands.

It's really good to hear other people talking about how it affects them, to whatever degree. One thing that I have learnt through talking to people is that it is really quite a common thing, in fact over the years several of my friends have had it, or at least something very similar.

Well, as for mine I am seeing someone today. I am ready to start trying to overcome it. Thanks again all for your support.

Well done Cardza and good luck for today! this is the first day of the rest of your life!

Thank you .

I was told I have OCD but not in the sense you are talking about.. Someone referred to me as having OCD.. 'Obsessive Cyril Disorder' because I'm such a huge fan of Cyril

OK everyone, if anyone even remebers this topic, as requested first update: seeing psychiatrist lady tomorrow afternoon. It took a while, and in that time I've got it mostly 'under control' but hopefully tomorrow should be even more helpful!

Thanks for all the support, it's helped massively .

Yay! Job's a good 'un.

Atlast.......someone else that knows my personal pain! I too suffer from OCD. Not much fun, but a fact of life for me (and you) nevertheless...For what it is worth, don't be afraid to PM about it if you ever need to vent! I likely will know what you are talking about.

Have you seen the movie "The aviator?"

Well done for your progress, and good luck for tomorrow afternoon!

Thanks guys!

Moodini - yep, well, saw it ages ago anyway. Thankfully things aren't at the Howard Hughest stage yet . Thank you for the offer of support.

Best of luck!!

Cardza wrote:Thankfully things aren't at the Howard Hughest stage yet .

Nor will they ever be.