tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post5220349479754466395..comments2023-10-08T08:29:47.056-04:00Comments on Bringing along OCD . . . : Not hiding what OCD looks likeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-64441306398920300872013-03-15T06:39:54.977-04:002013-03-15T06:39:54.977-04:00I am sure nobody notices but Larry. Unless they ha...I am sure nobody notices but Larry. Unless they have it too, but then, they are not judging you! BTW, you two are so cute!Jodi @ Heal Nowhttp://www.healnowandforver.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-7316623881725677812013-03-14T21:46:56.179-04:002013-03-14T21:46:56.179-04:00Thank you, Grace. I like your attitude about our q...Thank you, Grace. I like your attitude about our quirks and lack of perfection. We're all in the same boat--no one's perfect! <br /><br />I don't think you're missing anything by never having to pump gas! :-) Most of the pumps where I live are self-service.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-13356097019810520352013-03-14T21:43:55.983-04:002013-03-14T21:43:55.983-04:00Klaaske, you've made a very interesting and go...Klaaske, you've made a very interesting and good point. Knowing that OCD was causing you to do the odd things helped you. I think it really is scarier when we don't understand why we're having the obsessions and doing the compulsions. It's so important to get diagnosed and treated.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-2175050451607419352013-03-14T21:40:28.975-04:002013-03-14T21:40:28.975-04:00Thank you, Katherine, for your kind words. I think...Thank you, Katherine, for your kind words. I think we'd all do well to look at people as you do, as they are, remembering that we all have flaws and problems.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-36418327356945333652013-03-14T17:13:50.918-04:002013-03-14T17:13:50.918-04:00Would you believe I've never, in all of my 52+...Would you believe I've never, in all of my 52+ years, never pumped gas? I live in Oregon where it's illegal to pump your own. <br /><br />I don't notice other people's peculiarities very much either. And even if I do, it's not a big deal. Everybody has their quirks. I remember how embarrassed I used to get about certain things. Now I just figure, oh well. So I'm not perfect. Who is? <br /><br />I think your hubby is right. It's more about the seal on the lid than anything, certainly not your flaws. You've made tremendous progress. This is another little puddle along the road. GRACE PETERSONhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04520343332670354262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-44416326918397914542013-03-14T14:46:14.005-04:002013-03-14T14:46:14.005-04:00We don't own a car, so I don't have to get...We don't own a car, so I don't have to get gas, and when I lived in Africa there were petrol pump attendants.<br />But I was very afraid anyone would see or notice the weird things I was doing before I was diagnosed with OCD and when it just wasn't making any sense to me at all. I thought I was going crazy and wanted to hide that for the outside world as well as I could.<br />Once I knew it was called OCD I was far less afraid people would notice. Klaaskehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17324051207416727146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-80231942971124270742013-03-14T14:26:21.171-04:002013-03-14T14:26:21.171-04:00I've never noticed OCD in others because I'...I've never noticed OCD in others because I'm not looking for it. I see the person as they are. Sometimes I think it's easy to be very hard on ourselves. We think everyone must be noticing something about us, but really people are people and we all have our flaws. I've turned the gas cap a few extra times. Often for me it's because I forget if I've done something or not. For me, it's forgetfulness! What I notice about you is your kindness and your openness to share with others. Katherine Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16732133918969183030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-19256612389066310062013-03-14T11:44:08.070-04:002013-03-14T11:44:08.070-04:00Krystal Lynn, you have described exactly how I fel...Krystal Lynn, you have described exactly how I felt--like I was in my own zone, concentrating on getting the compulsion done. And I didn't want to have to start it over, so I HAD to concentrate on doing it "right." I worried more about what others thought when I wasn't in the middle of a compulsion.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-55517298585415558532013-03-14T11:38:04.642-04:002013-03-14T11:38:04.642-04:00I have to agree that when my OCD was really severe...I have to agree that when my OCD was really severe, I did not care. Well, maybe it was not so much that I didn't care but I was so consumed by it, that all that mattered was doing the compulsion. I was almost in my own zone. Not only that, but I did not want to be interrupted or distracted because that would put me at square one and have to start the compulsion all over again. I wonder if anybody else felt like that?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16288842067954888301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-35050308105305649692013-03-14T10:40:45.240-04:002013-03-14T10:40:45.240-04:00Thank you, Button, that's a great attitude to ...Thank you, Button, that's a great attitude to have. I worry a lot less now than I used to about what others are thinking. I think it's a result of treatment and getting older. And it's just too much pressure to worry about what others are thinking.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-62250213823010305192013-03-14T10:39:04.567-04:002013-03-14T10:39:04.567-04:00Kristina, good insight. If we're trying to hid...Kristina, good insight. If we're trying to hide something, it may be a sign that something is wrong.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-74363965172836514982013-03-14T10:38:06.756-04:002013-03-14T10:38:06.756-04:00Thank you, Linda. I appreciate your feedback and s...Thank you, Linda. I appreciate your feedback and sharing. That is an awful job experience that you went through. I couldn't work with my employer yelling at me, either. I'm glad that you shared your issues with others, and I'm glad that you feel better for doing it.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-59981772004306461772013-03-14T10:36:28.183-04:002013-03-14T10:36:28.183-04:00Janet, thanks for your insight as a parent of a ch...Janet, thanks for your insight as a parent of a child with OCD. I remember times when it was so important that I "finish" a compulsion, it didn't matter to me if others were around. I think I imagined that they couldn't see me. Of course, they probably could. I care a lot less now about hiding it than I used to.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-66678189979932869952013-03-13T19:29:08.358-04:002013-03-13T19:29:08.358-04:00OCD is prevalent in my family so none of us hides ...OCD is prevalent in my family so none of us hides it from one another unfortunately we think it is normal where other people do not. I never say anything to anyone they know they have it and know when it kicks in.<br />Just focus on not worrying about what others think and take care of yourself. BButtons Thoughtshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05029439906543077861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-28533311187498893262013-03-13T18:45:20.513-04:002013-03-13T18:45:20.513-04:00Yes, I hide it. But that used to be a clue to me t...Yes, I hide it. But that used to be a clue to me that what I was doing was not normal too--if I wanted to hide it.Kristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07912518380859086951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-32657080853556730582013-03-13T17:55:34.639-04:002013-03-13T17:55:34.639-04:00I don't have OCD, as you know, Tina; however,...I don't have OCD, as you know, Tina; however, I was in a class in both elementary and high school for slow learners. I tried to hide this for years...decades! Finally, in November 2011 I was working on a job in a retail setting. I was there for just 3 weeks and they terminated me. I had never been let go of a job before unless there wasn't enough work or unless the company was closing its doors. I was devastated! I felt embarrassed and sad and ultimately fell into a depression, as I had other issues going on in my life as well. It was like my system was on overload and I couldn't handle it. Anyway, the reason they let me go was because I didn't work fast enough for their liking. However, I don't do well when an employer is shouting at me and when I am under constant supervision! It makes me nervous and self conscious. The employer gave me a pink slip that said "no more work"...right, after 3 weeks in a new store, right? Anyway, I ended up telling the government exactly what happened and then I admitted that I don't like to be shouted at, that I was in a class for slow learners in both elementary and high school, etc. Now that the government and my friends know, I am breathing a sigh of relief...and the fact that I am no longer hiding this is like a weight having been lifted off my shoulders. A very heavy weight. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and feelings, and thanks, as well, for opening the door to enable others to share theirs as well. You are a blessing, dear Tina.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12692170857496442623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-35277639553015013042013-03-13T16:07:59.471-04:002013-03-13T16:07:59.471-04:00When Dan's OCD was severe, I would often wonde...When Dan's OCD was severe, I would often wonder if people could tell. I know now that it is obvious they could. He would walk a few steps and have to touch the ground.......that's pretty obvious! Now, though,I wonder why I even cared, and the interesting thing is that Dan never seemed to care if people noticed. I think he was suffering so badly he could barely function, and worrying about what others thought was not on his agenda. Nowadays, he is who he is, and if an occasional compulsion gets noted by a friend, they, and Dan, are all fine with it......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-50867116440363489522013-03-13T15:46:32.988-04:002013-03-13T15:46:32.988-04:00Krystal Lynn, you make some good points. I agree t...Krystal Lynn, you make some good points. I agree that people with OCD might sometimes isolate themselves to avoid possibly having to deal with OCD issues around others. I know I did. And that worry produces a lot of anxiety, which just ramps up the OCD. It really is a horrible cycle. And, as you point out, kindness to others is the ultimate way to treat people--whether we say anything about OCD or not.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-71351876854714625332013-03-13T15:16:43.247-04:002013-03-13T15:16:43.247-04:00I do the same thing with my gas cap so tell Larry ...I do the same thing with my gas cap so tell Larry thanks, I am shocked I haven't broken my seal yet. I am going to tackle that compulsion.<br />I get really nervous in public bathrooms because I never want to hold someone else up by washing my hands longer or get a "dirty look" like I am a weirdo if there is more than one sink and somebody is next to me. I doubt someone in a wheel chair would be looked at like they are a freak but OCD or mental illness can be confusing to people and some folks don't give respect whether out of misinformation or not. I do try to look normal to avoid judgement of other people. It is sad because I think a lot of people with OCD isolate themselves for that reason. I am more comfortable with people who know I have OCD and love me anyway. Otherwise I have anxiety that an OCD thing will come up and that anxiety alone automatically does make my OCD worse. Horrible cycle. <br />With a family member or friend I would kindly ask if I saw a compulsive act but some people do things a certain way and it is just a quirk so I don't assume OCD. With a stranger, and I did run across someone else in a bathroom that I had to wait on one time, I am just patient and give them a big smile so they hopefully don't feel bad or that I am rushing them. I would be afraid that commenting on their behavior would make them uncomfortable so I probably would not do that, unless they brought it up first. I think I am way more sensitive about my behavior though and I agree that most people are probably thinking about themselves and not even aware of what I am doing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16288842067954888301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-60477014774420049702013-03-13T12:55:47.211-04:002013-03-13T12:55:47.211-04:00Lisa, Good reminder. I think most people just go a...Lisa, Good reminder. I think most people just go about their own business. Sometimes I feel self-conscious, and it makes me think others are noticing what I'm doing. In reality, probably no one is noticing.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-91143862765862627412013-03-13T12:52:15.700-04:002013-03-13T12:52:15.700-04:00Thank you, Deanna. I'm glad you share things f...Thank you, Deanna. I'm glad you share things from your life--I appreciate it! One of the reasons I don't like to pump gas if I don't have to is because years ago, there was a problem with the gas pump and gas spurted out all over me, then I slipped and fell in it. Quite a mess! I guess I'm afraid that something like that will happen again.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-87312934898205348242013-03-13T12:49:42.730-04:002013-03-13T12:49:42.730-04:00I love your comment and your great attitude, Debbi...I love your comment and your great attitude, Debbie. I agree--there needs to be trust between friends. Thank you for sharing.Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-74737641993356991542013-03-13T12:48:42.846-04:002013-03-13T12:48:42.846-04:00Probably so, Keith. And he was worried about the g...Probably so, Keith. And he was worried about the gas cap!Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-17868405227183386592013-03-13T12:48:11.065-04:002013-03-13T12:48:11.065-04:00Elizabeth, I didn't know either. I thought the...Elizabeth, I didn't know either. I thought the more clicks, the better! Tina Fariss Barbourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15659018994558471570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6831964660986535542.post-77120294589119416252013-03-13T12:03:46.728-04:002013-03-13T12:03:46.728-04:00I had to replace a gas cap once for accidentally t...I had to replace a gas cap once for accidentally turning it too far. I think that in general most people try to mind their own business if they notice something like what you described.Lisa @ Two Bears Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03464839163693785901noreply@blogger.com