Intrusive thoughts

[purelight]

Hi everyone, this is my first post but I have been following with interest people's stories and realising that I should share my story in the hope that one or more of you could help me. And perhaps down the track I might be able to help others. I have had ocd for as long as I can remember. My dad had ocd, although he never admitted it and it was obvious that his sister has it as well. At first the ocd centrered around doing things a set number of times. eg As a child of about 10 years of age I felt I needed to get into and out of bed a set number of times before "it felt right" This progressed to checking taps, doors and other appliances numerous times. When I had children I would check on them numerous time while they were asleep just to make sure thy were still breathing and that I hadn't covered their head with the blankets. My most debilitating obsession is my intrusive thoughts and when the ocd is not being managed appropriately this is what brings me unstuck. I am 58 years old and I'm still bothered by the same horrible intrusive thoughts. A while ago I decided that my medications were not as effective as they had been. I decided to wean off the meds, one was an SSRI and the other an anti psychotic. I did this without really listening to my psychiatrist.After I'd weaned down to a certain level I then swapped over to a different SSRI. Under the guidance of my psychiatrist I have now increased the dose of the SSRI to a level I can tolerate and am about to increase dramatically the dosage of the anti psychotic. My question is have any of you who are troubled by intrusive thoughts found that you need to be on quite a hefty dose of an anti psychotic before the thoughts are able to be kept in check? I have been going through menopause and my mum died late last year which are also contributing factors. I have felt bad for so long now and wonder when this hell on earth will disappear. I have taken two weeks off work as I wasn't coping and wonder if I'm ever going to see that light at the end of the tunnel. Any helpful thoughts, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[geoff]

dear Lisa, sorry it seems so late in replying, it's just that I get caught up in replying the posts on page 1 sometimes I do check page 2 so I also missed 'Purelights' reply to me, which I will comment on, but please start your own thread.

Do you know how to do this, well go to All Posts and click on 'Depression' which will open up and then you can see 'start a New Thread' click onto this and then type.

It's best to do this as replying to 2 different posts can be difficult. L Geoff. x

[geoff]

dear Ciao, thanks for keeping me in touch.

The vitamin count is good to keep up with, as I have been taking folic acid for a long time plus betamin which my long term psychologist says will keep my mind active, rather when someone goes to nursing home they tend to lose their facilities, you can buy this off the shelf, so perhaps you should start taking this.

The time for AD's to start working depends on the person, so there is a general rule, but then this can change due to many other factors.

Too much copper is never any good for our bodies, as it does damage to our liver and then make us go jaundice in colour.

You seem to be pleased with how you are going and that pleases me so much, but please I don't want this thread to disappear, as it's always great to have one like this to keep going. L Geoff. x

[purelight]

Dear Geoff, I will keep in touch as I have valued so much in hearing from people like yourself.I think you and others do an amazing job keeping alert to peoples postings and making sure they get a reply.Take care and goodnight. x

[purelight]

Hi Geoff, I hope life is being kind to you. Life has continued to improve for me. My zinc levels are on the rise and copper has decreased. It is still too high in relation to zinc so the vitamin regime continues.My body has obviously been running inefficiently for a long while.What i have discovered is that it doesn't take much to stop doing the things that are life affirming such as walking and practicing mindfullness meditation. So today I have corrected that but it is an ongoing struggle to lead a more balanced life. Take care. x

[geoff]

dear Purelight, good to hear from you and pleased that your copper is decreasing.

Can I ask did they test your Vit D which is also important.

Cut your walking down to half the distance or perhaps do it every second day or when you feel inclined to, so don't push yourself otherwise it then becomes a chore.

Fortunately I checked page 2 where it had been pushed to because of the number of comments that have been posted.

Look after yourself and please keep in touch. L Geoff. x