OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

Now I know for me as a child I had symptoms of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and struggle with them from time to time in regards to my anxiety. I know that being obsessive with my tinnitus monitoring has made my problem always seem so much worse because I'd get into routines. Most nights I'll pull into my parking spot coming home from teaching and I'll turn of the car and sit in the very quiet (btw 15-25 dB depending on background noise) to see how my T is doing. Even though I've observed some very interesting patterns in the sounds and this "ritual" (which I don't always do) I know it's not good for me even if my T is mellow (which it has been lately).

Anyone here have a history of OCD or feel like they have become obsessive and developed monitoring rituals?

 

I'm over three years in and still obsess and monitor, I just simply don't/can't let go.
I don't remember being this obsessed about anything ever before, tinnitus turned me into someone I don't recognise at all

 

I totally understand how that feels. I hope that we can both let go eventually...I believe it will help a great deal.

 

I dont know what i got but everyday is same. I am being trapped and I struggle to escape it and cannot stop thinking about solutions. I miss my quiet times so much. I cannot believe that my life can ever be the same. The intruder drives me nuts.

 

Before T, maybe slightly...couldn't let things go for days on end sometimes. Nothing like this though...I can't get this off my mind for 2 minutes since onset. Then again it is yelling at me telling me to pay attention, kind of tough to walk away from this one and drop it from my mind.

 

Any body else hear feel like they monitor there tinnitus obsessively?

 

I don't think we can or should label us as being OCD.
I like to think that obsessive component is directly linked to tinnitus distress and is a "normal" thing to do.
On the other hand some can easily let go others can't but I think the loudness and pitch play a major role in this.

 

I agree. But what I think for myself is the fact I have things I have and still do compulsively and know that it overflows into my T reaction. Even jasterboff says odd is a big road block to habituation.

 

@SoulStation

All I'm saying is if you didn't have OCD before t I don't think you should label yourself "true" OCD, your OCD is a direct result of your tinnitus distress rather than alone standing disorder.
Maybe I'm wrong but that's how I see it.

 

Agreed. I'm just interested in the correlation between people Who have exhibited symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder before they contracted tinnitus.
I am not full ocd and have never been treated for it. I just have exhibited symptoms of it mildly at points in my life. And t messes with it.

 

For me, OCD is my middle name, and it plays a very big part in my tinnitus perception. When I get spikes from time to time it realy make's them seem louder, and last longer. OCD is a very powerful force don't let it fool you.

Louie

 

Yes, I am. It's hard to let things go.
I over see things through so much that I suffer for it. A control freak my wife says.
Now I'm obsessed with stopping this noise, but that I can not control and it hurts.
Gotta remember to let it be, let it be.

 

Ditto

 

Larry


I understand how you feel, I was like that in the beggining, having a tough time as you say "letting things be" but after awhile I started to over come that, and you will too. Its just going to take a litte more time, its different for everyone. But You need to keep reminding yourself of the Fact, that your compusive thoughts and dwelling on tinnitus is the worst thing for tinnitus, it only feeds the beast as you already know. At the times when I feel like my OCD is starting to work on, or trying to increase my tinnitus, I try to stop and take some time to focus on relaxing, and get control of my mind. It really helps. When you push your OCD thoughts to the back of your mind, your tinnius will go with it and will decrease, its just takes a little practice, and paitents. Its a form of meditation and it works.

Good Luck

Louie

 

Louie thank you so much for the kind response and advice.
I went to a party tonight for a friend who is going away for a tour and even though there was only a few people in a small apartment, they got loud at points. There were some kids there and one of them screamed and I felt like it spiked my T.
I wish I could have left and not checked my T with my fingers in my ears.
I obsessively check my T and am obsessed with this site. Its like my 'Facebook' -for real. Ugh.
Life.

 

Larry

I know that you understand that its like a loop, you went to this party and its very unlikely that it really had any effect on your tinnitus, its not like you went to a rock concert. A few kids yelling is such a short duration, its not going to do anything. But then later your OCD starts to work on your anxioty, making you think that your tinnitus MAY MAY have gotten louder, so you start to focus on it wich makes your OCD anxioty increases and you find yourself in a loop. Like when you point a microphone at a speaker you end up with a feedback loop. I'm willing to bet you that in a couple days that your not even going to be thinking about it. And very doubtful you have done any harm at all. I used to be just like that, constently monitoring every sound. I had my DB meter with me all of the time but that's just a loose loose thing to do. Unless there was a live band, or a DJ and you were right by the speakers with no ear plugs for few hours , your going to be fine. Try and relax and get a good night sleep.

It still is a good idea to keep your ear plugs with you when ever you go out. But you only need to wear them in really loud places. This was not one of them .

I'm not going to wish you luck, cause you don't need it.. you went to a small get together no big deal. Get busy and keep busy


Take care

Loue


PS: I wish I had a dollar for every time I was were you are right now.

 

Hello boys and girls!!
I am an obsessive person since always and very anxious too, i have GAD.
I constantly do the same. While sitting in my car, block my ears to see how my T are, level, tone and look for any change. That behaviour is harmful, beacuse feeds our obsessiveness and anxiety.
At home, i am constantly looking for new noises, if out of the blue i hear a noise similar to a the T i have or a repetitive sound, even if it comes from the dishwasher, freezer, tv or whatever... i feel very anxious. Sometimes i imagine noises or my T, that i am actually hearing them.
My obsessions now are very related with noises, especially the repetitive ones. It is some form of OCD i believe.
When i feel anxious or stressed, it is like if i could hear a vero low noise in my mind, and it plays over and over again. It is an obsessive thought, but manifested as this repetitive sound. At the beginning, i had terrible days. I had the impression that i was going to end completely psychotic.
Anyone has gone through this?
To the part of the body where we pay attention, we create sensation.
God bless you all!!