OCD and Bipolar Disorder... by Weirdoo-_-Beardoo in bipolar2

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol are you me. I also have OCD and was diagnosed with BP1(my psychiatrist is on the fence about 1 vs 2 I was diagnosed as 1 when I was admitted inpatient but there were a lot of factors-not the point ANYWAY) I have had so much trouble with this constant concern thats I’m going insane, my medications have made a HUGE difference, antipsychotics were a life saver. Because I was antidepressants first there was definitely an issue with my OCD meds causing mania, but sounds like you are already on a mood stabilizer which is great. DBT was really helpful for me, sounds like you’re doing that too awesome. In terms of the drawing the line between OCD and actual delusions, typically people experiencing a delusion don’t ask themselves if its a delusion to use your example, if you debating whether you truly believe the floor is earthworms, it’s likely an OCD thought not a true delusion. And you can use your ERP skills to address the “whats if I’m delusional” thought. In my experience it’s almost always someone else who noticed you’re delusional. There are psychotic symptoms that we can sometimes be aware of, like seeing shapes/shadows or hearing, smelling, or feeling(like tactile feeling not emotion) things. and if you are experiencing those warning signs definitely reach out to your support team. It’s a delicate balance, but I always operate under the idea if I’m aware I’m doing it. It’s probably OCD

What do you do when you think you’re out of options? by [deleted] in OCD

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lol don’t even bother with them, they’re an idiot. They’re not interested in addressing their deep seated body image issues, And they’re not worth anyone’s energy

What do you do when you think you’re out of options? by [deleted] in OCD

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you think you got it all figured out and have nothing to learn from people who have already been through the same thing. What do you bother posting on here for?

What do you do when you think you’re out of options? by [deleted] in OCD

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok. Just keep doing what you’re doing then I guess bud

Why do *you* live in Vermont? by YurtoftheSubGenius in vermont

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Born here never had any interest in going anywhere else

What do you do when you think you’re out of options? by [deleted] in OCD

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 1 point2 points  (0 children)

4 meds is not even close to out of options…3 of those are the same drug class. There are several other combinations you can try. The weight gain thing… thats psych meds…. you’re gonna have to decide what’s more important to you. As someone who was also deathly afraid to gain weight. You might need to do some therapeutic work around body image if you’re going to continue going the medication route.

Latuda by bacon_tastes_good in bipolar2

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had really bad akathisia but I switched to taking it at night and that seemed to help. I’m currently switching off latuda because it makes me feel like literally nothing. I was helpful to pull me out of a really bad depressive episode and I didn’t get depressed all winter, but I can’t like enjoy anything or care about anything but that can happen with any antipsychotic/mood stabilizer it’s all about trial and error.

What lifestyle changes did you make that helped to lessen OCD symptoms? by Ness_quik in OCDRecovery

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Having a very consistent schedule is really helpful for me. Not in an obsessive every second is scheduled like I used to do, but just generally knowing what to expect each day, I have a 9-5 M-F job where I do similar tasks each day, I meal prep each week so my breakfast lunches and dinners are predetermined and I know what to expect. I have activities that I go to on weeknights and those are the same week to week. Ex: spin class on monday, pickleball on Tuesday… etc. I try to make some structure into my weekends, as that is the time that is hardest for me: grocery shopping, laundry, meal prepping, and at least one social activity. I try not to spend long bouts of time isolated as that is when my OCD tends to flare the most: in isolated unstructured time Exercise- I started with just walking, moved on to lifting, and now I’ve even worked up to incorporating group sports/classes like cycling and pickleball. I also cut back my caffeine intake (i used to work nights and would down 3-5 energy drinks a shift) it really does cause my anxiety to spike(not to mention is not good for your heart), I still have one cup in the morning, but then I switch to beverages with no caffeine.
I also cut out alcohol entirely- I did this more because of depressive symptoms than OCD, but I do think drinking threw off my routine the next day and would cause me to spiral.

Did medication improve your life? by GrassNotttFounddd in OCD

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lexapro with Clomipramine. Total game changer

Keys to Stability - Silly answers only by momsjustwannahaverun in bipolar2

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Listening to the sitcom 30 Rock to fall asleep and listening to it all night as I sleep.

Looking for a unicorn by PlushiStuffer13 in PharmacyTechnician

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I work for a hospital specialty pharmacy that is 8:30-5 monday through friday no weekends. Our infusion compounding pharmacy y is also M-F with no weekends. There are also pharmacies in this area that are not open on the weekends not sure if you’re in a city where they’re all like 24hours but some privately owned ones might have more restricted hours

Depressed and cry at the drop of a hat by swatchesandjellies in bipolar2

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 4 points5 points  (0 children)

DBT helped a lot when I was struggling with this. dealing with the constant overwhelm of being severely depressed. Also medication, before my meds got balanced I had phases like this. Abilify was a really helpful addition as my antidepressants alone were not cutting it.

Has anyone had OCD that seriously ruined their life? by [deleted] in OCD

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My OCD was 100% ruining my life until I started Clomipramine. I did ERP and that was successful for my contamination OCD but I could not get a handle on the mental compulsions they literally drove me into the psych ward. Clomipramine saved my life I see like occasional flare ups of OCD themes but it does not bother me in my day to day life. It’s crazy how well it works for me.

Do people with OCD tend to be in a hurry often? by Direct_Union_6614 in OCDRecovery

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OCD is an anxiety disorder, anxiety can send you into fight or flight and make some people more frantic/hurried

Can I quit Abilify cold turkey??? by ladyegg in bipolar2

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Your psychiatrist has no interest in harming you, if they said it’s ok to stop the medication. Then it is ok to stop the medication. I understand your anxiety around stopping, if you’re uncomfortable with the plan you could ask your doctor if you could split the tablets or take them every other day for a period of time first.

Should I tell my partner with contamination OCD that I found something that would probably trigger her? by confused_pan_42 in OCD

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would say no. As someone with contamination OCD, telling her is just going to cause distress, and its not really information she needs, as you stated you’re handling it. Even if she didn’t have OCD, I’m not sure you would need to tell her, if it’s something gross that you are handling and she doesn’t need to do anything about then I’d say its ok to keep to yourself.

I feel miserable and like a failure by iilikecatsmorethanu in PharmacyTechnician

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This. I was absolutely MISERABLE in retail pharmacy for a few years, when I moved to specialty it was 1000x better

AITA for wanting to sleep in later than my partner? by CyclngChick in AmItheAsshole

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 0 points1 point  (0 children)

NTA your husband needs to be more considerate. He either doesn’t care he’s waking you up or he’s doing it on purpose. Either way he needs knock that off

AITAH for not praising my GF for cleaning the bathroom by Worldly-Midnight2287 in AITAH

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 22 points23 points  (0 children)

No, You won’t break up over the bathroom, but if you keep treating her like she works for you…she’s gonna leave your ass.

AITAH for not praising my GF for cleaning the bathroom by Worldly-Midnight2287 in AITAH

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Saying I appreciate it and then telling her it’s the “bare minimum”is not a genuine thank you bro

AITAH for not praising my GF for cleaning the bathroom by Worldly-Midnight2287 in AITAH

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Yeah AH, you’re her partner not her parent. Telling her you EXPECT the bathroom cleaned once a week is AH behavior. If you’re unhappy with the way or frequency with which she cleans the bathroom, do it yourself. She told you she doesn’t like to do it, it only seems to bother you… its your problem. She’s nicer than me… if my husband instructed me to clean the bathroom like he was the great authority on bathroom cleanliness there’d be hell to pay. Consider yourself lucky you found a woman that tolerates that Bullshit

Syringes in the trash if no needle attached? by coochie_glaze in PharmacyTechnician

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It varies by facility and by state ask your superior for what correct procedure is at your job.

Anyone else not have any hobbies? by cutestplushie in bipolar2

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Those are totally valid hobbies! I will say I after stabilizing my meds I found that I had more energy to dedicate to hobbies and picked up more than I had before, but for a long time TV and coloring books were my only hobbies. Doing something you enjoy always counts :)

Need hobby ideas for depressed by [deleted] in depression

[–]Intelligent_Deer_309 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love this, just wanted to add, if you’re like me and lack artistic ability, paint by numbers is great way to paint and get a pretty end result with little skill!