Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hello @Rosemary4 , @Emelia8 , @Anastasia , @NatureLover , @Pippyl and other visitors to this thread,

@Rosemary4, at least you've got your materials in containers. I am about to address the issue for myself and a lot of my items are in random order, uncontained.

Thankfully something seems to have clicked for me, and I woke this morning with a clear determination to deal with the issue.

It has been a frustratingly slow process to come to that point. I also recognise that while I continue to write on this computer, I am not yet putting that determination into action. So quick responses this morning and then "strike while the iron is hot".

To All, My Best Wishes

@HenryX

@NatureLover You sound exactly like me it's so odd! I always thought OCD is like worrying something will happen if you don't do compulsion, for me it isn't so, it's the fact that if I don't clean it, it spreads everywhere and that's my fear, the uncertainty and having so much cleaning to do. I know exactly why I have it, because of my experiences, trauma, my mums uncleanliness, my ex, I have been conditioned to become like this and it makes me angry. But there's also possible genetic links in my family but I've suffered from this for 2 yrs. I go through phases, at the moment it's all too hard so I do nothing no compulsions I can sit with it, the anxiety never subsides, I guess I'm constantly exposed to it but I know at some point I will have to do compulsions it never goes away. I'm never desensitized I don't see the point in anything if I know I'll be on a hamster wheel going nowhere. I've worked on childhood trauma I'm getting better at that as I know that's the key but my psychologist thinks I haven't so I'm like well what do I do?

Hello @Emelia8 and others visiting the thread

An exercise that I have been doing in the last few days has been helpful for me but I obviously do not know whether, in your situation, it will be effective.

The idea is to endeavour to gently stretch the spine and hopefully, in this way, relieve some of the pressure on the nerves and their pathways.

This is how I do the exercise. Standing with my back against a wall, or bench that will support me. Place my feet, about a foot width apart and about 1 1/2 feet distance, out from the wall. Supported in this position, at three points, I cannot fall over (unless I allow myself to collapse). Keeping my legs straight and my backside against the wall, I carefully and fairly slowly bend forward, running my hands along my sides and down my legs.The return is to bring myself slowly back to the upright position, and bring my shoulders, as closely as I can, back against the wall.

This exercise has been helpful for me. The reasons that I like the exercise are that I am supported during the whole movement, It is a relatively easy movement that has been, in a realtively short time, effective in improving my body mobility and with a slight but welcome reduction in pain level. I can also do a few repetitions of the exercise as often as I want, needing only a stable, surface against which to support myself.

I hope that this may be helpful for you.

With My Best Wishes

@HenryX

Hi @Pippyl

I’m sorry to hear about your experience right now.

How OCD manifests in people varies and I’m just wondering if you have checked out any of the information we have here on the SANE website?

There are a number of blog posts that have been written about various experiences and just thought it might be an additional resource for you if that's something you'd want to check out?

This is one titled ‘Living with OCD in the time of COVID’ but there are many others on the blog here.
There is also a factsheet if that’s something your after?

Alternatively if it's someone in person who you'd like to chat more about it with, there is the SANE Helpline on 1800 187 263, or alternatively Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you feel it’s of an urgent crisis support you are after.

I can hear there are complexities with your situation and can understand you feeling the way you do.
I'm glad you have found a place here on the forums where you can talk about it & find a community that you connect with & understands.
Hoping the above might be of some use.
Flybluebird

Hi @HenryX ... I just went and tried that exercise you've been doing. Unfortunately it sends shooting pains down my leg, like daggers. I think I need to recover a bit before I do that one. Will put it on the list of things to do in future. I had been doing pilates up to May this year, so I was actually quite fit, supple, toned and strong until my back went on me. But now, having not been able to do much for the past 7 months, I am very unfit and out of condition. Going to take a lot to get back to where I was before. And I know you arent meant to do anything after surgery for at least 6 weeks. A long road lies ahead.

@Pippyl ... I also have OCD, so I can relate to a lot of what you have written. Thanks for the info @Former-Member

How has your day been @NatureLover ?

WTG @HenryX 👍
You said "Thankfully something seems to have clicked for me, and I woke this morning with a clear determination to deal with the issue"
Excellent Hx, gotta run with the energy. I really hope you make a dent in it today 🤞

I was surprised when I realised how many scalves i had once i'd sorted my mountain of clothes. Being organised is a big part of dealing with it. I have x8 bags of material stacked up in spare room. At least If I die they'll know what to just check and not have to sort lol

Do you ever watch that HOARDES show on SBS? The team pulls everything out of the house and spreads it out in sections for sorting. Some live in very sad environments there. Don't want to get that bad ever!

Hi @Emelia8

Thank you for the feedback on the exercise. I am pleased that you tried it and, needless to say, am disappointed that it was not suitable at the present time.

You mentioned that you had been doing Pilates and were fit up until your back issues presented. Likewise, I had taken up competition rowing in 8's and 4's, in my 20's. This was to attempt to resolve back issues that developed during National Service. The tightening up of the back structure lasted, despite some occupational abuse, until I was about 50. As also appears to have occurred in your situation, my back problems developed quickly, over a relatively short period of time - a few months. I used to walk on the beach, swim and ride a bicycle regularly, so was also reasonably fit up until near the time that the back problems imposed on my life. While my pain levels are bearable at this time, I am aware that I need to overcome the resistance, as a result of that residual pain, to do the exercise required to improve my fitness level.

With Best Wishes

@HenryX

Hi @Rosemary4 , @Emelia8 , @NatureLover , @Pippyl , @Former-Member

and other visitors to the thread

The counsellor with whom I speak and I occasionally have a bit of a laugh about my hoarding situation, while still recognising the seriousness of the issue. "Better to laugh than to cry." However, I am becoming more aware of the reasons for the issues that I face. "Better late than never." These little clichéd

expressions just keep popping into my mind.

During our discussions, I reflect on what I believe is the situation; that our discussions, my own research and the interaction that I have with others, on the forum, are contributing significantly to my improving self awareness and knowledge of the various factors involved in where I'm at, have been and also, help me to plan where I want to go.

It is so easy to be distracted though. A friend wanted some help with a printer, an hour or so ago. So, having resolved that issue, I am back at my computer. However, I have begun the work required and feel more positive about the breaking down of resistance.

Following some more activity in sorting out what is to be disposed of and what to keep, I have the singing group this evening at 7.00 pm., with a bit of social activity after, this being the last gathering till end of January 2022. I enjoy the group and singing, so I treat it as my reward when I have achieved something and consolation when not so much has been accomplished.

With Best Wishes

@HenryX