Survey on OCD and Marriage

I recently received a request from a research associate at the University of Louisville to post information about a study that a professor there is doing on the effects of OCD on marriage. I don't know much at all about this study, and only you can decide if you feel comfortable completing the survey, but it is a legitimate request. Here's the webpage of the professor.

You can click on the flyer below to see it a little larger.

Free Time

So two weeks ago I started my new work schedule: 3 days a week. In theory, it's great. Well, actually, in practice it's great, too. But for some reason I still feel too busy. I think I had this idea that the new schedule would suddenly make me super efficient at home. HAHAHA. That was naive.

My OCD has been on a tear over the last month. I'm hanging in there, but I'm not sure if the issue is the standard "Ann's OCD peaks in fall" or something else. Usually it's more of an October, November issue for me.

But I'm still here, contemplating looking for a therapist, contemplating not looking for a therapist. We'll see.

Summertime

We're having a lovely summer here. Just a few days over 90, most in the 80s. I've really been noticing my OCD, unfortunately. I find that I can make myself sit with anxiety, and when I do, it goes down. But I'm also finding a lot of new general anxiety categories cropping up.

I've decided I'd like to move to a neighborhood about 5 miles south of where I currently live. I'd be much closer to my sister, and that's an objectively reasonable choice. My current house is also too big and I'm a slob, so it's too much to keep up with.

BUT, I also made this choice because of stress about my neighbor and worry about earthquake risks.

I think the best approach is to continue with a plan to move, but to make myself wait until a house I'm certain is the right choice (not in an OCD way, though :) ) comes along. I have an urge to move ASAP, but very few houses that meet my requirements come up for sale, so it could take a while. That ramps my anxiety right up, and that's the piece that I know is OCD. Patience is hard!

Or Not Learning to Live With Anxiety

After yesterday's post, I promptly didn't follow my own advice. Today at work I got so sucked into my anxiety that I sent some overwrought emails to a bigwig at the office about a project we're working on together that's causing me stress. And of course now I'm feeling anxious about that!

What most frustrates me about it, is that I knew it was OCD-related. And I couldn't keep myself from reacting rather than even trying to wait it out.

Tomorrow is another day.

Learning to Live with Anxiety

Sunny recently posted a video on her blog from the OCD conference about being reminded that the goal of OCD treatment is not to have less anxiety but to learn to accept anxiety and know that it won't kill us. The lucky side effect being that once you learn that, you are actually likely to see a decrease in anxiety.

It sure isn't easy. I've reached the point where I can recognize my anxiety, and acknowledge it, and I can even sit with it. But it isn't any less uncomfortable for me.

I don't know that it ever actually becomes less unpleasant while it's happening. What's your experience been?

A Great Resource

Have you ever visited BeyondOCD.org? I suspect I have before, but forgot about it. Last week I spent some time looking around the site. The Expert Perspectives link at the top right had some really good articles, and I also was thoroughly inspired by some of the Personal Stories. This is one of the few places I've seen people post that their OCD really isn't a big problem in their life now. I love to read those stories!

Every so often people write to me asking if they can write a post about their product or system or website. Some of them are probably fabulous, but I'm really wary of appearing to endorse something I know nothing about when something as important as mental health is involved. The Beyond OCD site is run by a non-profit and doesn't seem to be selling anything. Take a look if you have a chance.

Oh! I just noticed that Janet Singer from OCDTalk has lots of posts on the site's blog. Which means I've almost certainly been told about this site before. Even more great stuff!

Choices

Last weekend I had either a stomach virus or food poisoning. And while it made sense to stay home over the weekend, I find myself wanting to avoid people now, too. My sister is traveling with her family next week and I have a fear of still being germy and getting them all sick on their trip.

I've confirmed with several people that most people don't think this way that far after an illness (or even two days after an illness). So apparently I should visit my sister this weekend. Ugh, making the right choice isn't fun most of the time!