OCD-Fear Can Be Reasonable--It Is Our Reactions That Are UNreasonable
This article is a shortened excerpt from the book "Tiger by the Tail" available at http://Lulu.com
Tiger by the Tail is the story of my personal recovery from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This is not a scholarly work; it is a memoir. I have no credentials as a health care professional, nor am I a layperson who has done exhaustive research.
So much for what I am not-what I am, is a survivor of OCD-who has recovered. I wrote this book for others who would also be survivors and who would find the tools that they need to do so. It is also for those who love, wish to help, or live with someone who is afflicted with this disorder.
Many of my experiences in life served to support my fears. My apartment was broken into four or five times, twice during my last summer there, at 20 years of age. I had the same car stolen twice during that time and burned each time. The first time it was used in a robbery and only partially burned. The second time it was melted. My point is that for me to fear my car being stolen and my home being broken into was a reasonable fear. It was MY REACTION to that fear that was unreasonable. This is a major point.
FEAR CAN BE REASONABLE; IT IS USUALLY OUR REACTION TO THE FEAR THAT IS UNREASONABLE.
The bad guys violated my home. I myself violated my life and peace of mind. Which is worse, an occasional break-in or a life of daily worry over break-ins? Exposure is a part of life. To attempt to minimize exposure at the expense of a free and happy life is to choose non-life and slavery. In all cases, non-life and slavery are the worst things that can happen to you. Therefore, for me, the worst had already happened and continued to happen every single day, by choice, and I did not even know it. When real things occur like burglary, they make people want to prevent their reoccurrence. To get an alarm or other reasonable precaution is one thing. However, no degree of fear alone can justify not believing your own eyes and ears. To disbelieve that you have just locked the door and need to check it many times and shake the door handle many times is not a matter of a rational response to a real fear. It is something completely different. It hurts your life; it does not guard it.
Accept that the worst thing that can happen is to be a slave to your fear and choose to become free. This is not an easy thing to do, but it is not something you can do slowly. It is a decision. But isn't that good news? We OCD sufferers are very good at making decisions-we make them about where to stand, what to touch and thousands of other things. Now, make a decision that will change your life into something free and light.
Related Tags: fear, help, personal, disorder, self, magic, compulsive, recover, rituals, memoir, ocd, obsessive
B. Rockrunner is a pen name used by the author of "Tiger by the Tail" A personal story of recovery from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. These articles are edited excerpts from that work. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Resurgence of Fred Perry Clothing
Summer might long be over and Wimbledon may be a distant memory, however the fashion is a year round - Uncovering Men's Tank Tops
I don't know a thing about you, but I'll bet that you have worn a tank top. Tank tops have also been - Make Use of Silk Scarves to Take Good Care of Your Skin
In the event you are new about silk scarves, you could never read about this particular feature of s - Just For Men Scarves - the Preference For Guys in the Vogue Domain
If you are not certain what style of present you could provide for men, maybe you can consider men s - Think Black Friday Shopping is Beyond Your Budget?
Moms who are juggling the bills and still trying to provide the perfect holiday gift to loved ones a - How to Make Conscious Shopping Choices
Many people have heard the phrase "voting with your dollars" and they understand that it means your - Silk Scarves - Unique Present Approach in Xmas Seasons
The most prevalent silk add-on is scarves, and many focus is presented on inspired designing on thes - Benefits of an Aloe Vera Shampoo
A lot of people are not aware of the specific benefits that using an aloe vera shampoo can do to the - How Effective is the Power of Your Subconscious Mind?
Most people are bombarded with this thought whenever they feel weak and wish to affect certain chang - Silk Scarf - the Record For Human Being in the Style History
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the worldwide recognition of silk scarves developed dramatica
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Surf and Turf: the Race Track
Surf and Turf: The Race TrackOne of the favorite places for The G to hang out at, especially in Summ - Are You Looking For Cholesterol Drugs Without Side Effect?
High cholesterol level is probably one of the widely spread complication among Americans. Almost for - Friday the 13th could be a lucky day?
Friday the 13th sounds unlucky ? Traditional superstition ? And a lot of people dislike it and beli - Don't Judge A Man
Our world is full of bad tongues, fault-finders, gossipers, mockers, and insulters but do these grou - When Personalized Gifts Make a Difference
Finding the right gifts for a particular occasion is always a challenging task. Sometimes it is nic - Managing My Resistance: Learning To Flow With What Life Offers
One of the things that interests me most about conflict is the tendency to resist it and the ways in - What Are Horoscopes Based On?
If you do not know much about astrology, you may wonder what are horoscopes based on and how astrolo - 7 Dumbest Relationship Mistakes Smart People Make
We often find ourselves amid the wreckage of a love gone wrong, wringing our hands and asking, "Why - Motivation as the heart of self improvement
You should be able to find several indispensable facts about Motivation in the following paragraphs - Is Complete Abstinence from Use of Paychoactive Substances Necessary for Recovery?
Can a sober alcoholic in recovery who has no history of abuse of marijuana, use marijuana without