Overcoming OCD - Prayers Appreciated

[MissTea]

Hi, everyone,

I have battled various issues with anxiety since my childhood. Most significantly, I have OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It's manifested itself in various ways throughout the years, but it became especially bad during high school and hit an all-time high when I began college last autumn.

Most significantly, when OCD overtakes my brain, I begin to severely doubt God's love and forgiveness--I know it is there, but OCD often sways me to feel (and thereby believe) otherwise. When my OCD is bad, I am frequently thrust into panic attacks. Throughout the day, I live with just general feelings of intense dread or anxiety, so I wouldn't be surprised if I also have GAD, or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. When these generalized feelings of fear and anxiety are coupled with obsessive, intrusive thoughts from my OCD, life seems very bleak sometimes--even though I realize I am unbelievably blessed.

After a lifetime of battling OCD alone, I am finally starting therapy and medication. Please pray that God will work through my new psychologist whom I will be seeing for the first time soon. And I thank God for my continual progress, as I am undoubtedly better today than I was just a month ago.

Blessings,

Miss Tea

 

[Chococat]

Praying for you. I struggle with OCD and anxiety so I know it is not fun.

 

[ThyLovingkindness]

Praying for you.

 

[emmasbs]

Praying for you dear!!!

 

[grandma dolittle]

Miss Tea,
I am praying for you. I was a special education teacher for many years and although I don't really know what you are going through, I have an understanding of it. My prayers are that God will help you through the difficult times and gives you strength to battle it. Remember, Sweetheart, Nothing is impossible with God. He has a plan for you and he may want to use your OCD for his glory... leave yourself open to his will....

 

[servant of Merciful Love]

May the Lord bless and heal you in His Merciful Love

 

[MissTea]

Thank you, everyone, for the prayers. I really appreciate them as I embark on my journey toward healing.

I am praying for you. I was a special education teacher for many years and although I don't really know what you are going through, I have an understanding of it.

Thank you for the prayers, Grandma Dolittle. The closest analogy I can conjure up to describe OCD would go something like this: Pick your least favorite song in the world. A song that just makes your whole being cringe, because you hate everything about it--the beat, the lyrics, the instruments, it's message. Everything. And it's stuck in your head in that annoying way that I'm sure everyone has experienced.

Most of the time, the song eventually dissipates from one's mind. With OCD, however, the cycle never ends. These "songs" are the "obsession" part of OCD. Some peoples' "song" may be repetitive thoughts about checking to make sure their door is locked, or a persistent feeling that their hands are not clean.

My "song" is that God has somehow rejected me or those I love--that He is a tyrant, ready and eager to condemn. I know these thoughts are not true--and I am overjoyed to share my Lord's infinite love with people on these forums and in real life. Nonetheless, when OCD strikes, my doubts surge. Eventually, the OCD subsides, and when my mind comes out of the fog of Obsessive Compulsive thinking, it sees Christ standing there, smiling in His everlasting empathy, saying, "See? I've never left. And I'll be here the next time OCD returns. You won't see me in the fog, but I'll be always be there."

Sometimes, my "song" stills. For brief moments, it goes away completely. I am seeking therapy, medication, and--most of all--prayer to see that my "song"--my broken record--finally breaks.

~

On a different note, I have to comment on your being a special education teacher, because I am studying to be a teacher, too. I am getting my degree in Early Childhood Education, and I will hopefully minor in Special Education. From the little I've spoken with you, you strike me as a very tenderhearted person, who I bet was a blessing to countless students, especially considering that Special Education was a relatively "new" field--unknown territory--even just thirty years ago. It was a brave and compassionate career choice you made!

My love for teaching began while volunteering with children who have severe physical and cognitive disabilities, and I still mostly work with these sorts of children as an Educational Assistant for my local school district. It was such a difficult decision to decide the area in which I would initially specialize, but I figured I'd begin with general education and go from there.

Looking at me, you'd never know I have OCD. I enjoy life, and I have many hobbies, a job, a wonderful college, and loving family and friends. None of my teachers suspected my disorder, despite my intense questioning in religion class and my perfectionistic quest for 100%'s. I guess they just figured I was the model student. I hope that someday as a teacher, I'll be more in-tuned to when students are struggling--whether with OCD or something entirely different--thanks to both my past battles with anxiety and hopefully memories about how I overcame them.

 

[Linus]

Praying for healing and deliverance from OCD in the name of Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord!

 

[grandma dolittle]

Miss Tea
I think you will be a great teacher. Because of your handicap, you will understand others with handicaps better than others and have more compassion. Special education takes a lot of love and energy and understanding of your students. I always felt if I could make the difference in one child's life, it would be worth it all. I loved teaching and I loved my students, but there came a time when my health issues stood in the way of giving it my all.

 

[JillyBean:)]

Praying for you in your battle against OCD.

 

[LoricaLady]

Soimetimes anxieity can signal a problem with adrenal glands. You might want to check out the symptoms. Also, a pist test, not a blood test, seems good. See Dr. Michael Lam's site on that issue, maybe. Just a thought.

Also a psychiatrist by the name of Dr. Daniel Amen is on YT and has written many books on the subject of brain disorders. He has done more brain scans - over 60,000 - than anyone in the world and tries to use natural approaches. Just mentioning him in case he might have some helpful infor.

Praying Messiah's holy angels will guide you in the ways best for you personally, so that you may be healed.

 

[MissTea]

Once again, thanks for the prayers, everyone. If anybody reads this comment, would you please say a quick prayer that I will have peace tomorrow? It was a rather hard day today thanks to my old "friend" OCD. No need to post anything--just say a small prayer for me in your heart.

Soimetimes anxieity can signal a problem with adrenal glands. You might want to check out the symptoms. Also, a pist test, not a blood test, seems good. See Dr. Michael Lam's site on that issue, maybe. Just a thought.

Also a psychiatrist by the name of Dr. Daniel Amen is on YT and has written many books on the subject of brain disorders. He has done more brain scans - over 60,000 - than anyone in the world and tries to use natural approaches. Just mentioning him in case he might have some helpful info.

And thank you, Lorica Lady, for both the advice and prayers. And I have to ask, as I saw your faith icon: Are you a follower of Messanic Judaism? I ask, because I have always thought that the Jewish faith and its customs were quite beautiful. I wish Christians had kept more Jewish traditions. A few years ago, one of my best friends, who is Jewish, even gave me a menorah as a Christmas gift! I put it out every year.

And thank you, Grandma Dolittle, for the encouraging words about my becoming a teacher. I'm sure you were a wonderful one and I'm sorry to hear about your medical challenges. Please message me with anything I can pray about for you!

Blessings to you all,

Miss Tea

 

[The Girl Who Waits]

Hello, MissTea.

I grew up to be a very anxious person too, very controlling, with low self esteem. But when I came to know Jesus, He made me a better person. Not perfect, but better.

There is a correlation between anxiety and trust - trust in God, that is. I would like to share to you this book I've been reading now in my journey towards recovery (from a terrible breakup), Trust - A Godly Woman's Adornment by Lydia Brownback, and I recommend that you read it as well. The Bible demonstrates that the bigger God is, and the more we know about Him, the smaller our issues, problems, anxieties get.

Remember that nothing is impossible with God. He is always with you. He is in control, all you need is to trust Him

I'm praying for you

 

[Pamelav]

Praying for you in your battle against OCD.

ditto

 

[MissTea]

I grew up to be a very anxious person too, very controlling, with low self esteem. But when I came to know Jesus, He made me a better person. Not perfect, but better.

Remember that nothing is impossible with God. He is always with you. He is in control, all you need is to trust Him

I'm praying for you

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I have always been an anxious person, and my parents say I have low self esteem. (I'd like to say that I'm not controlling, but I must admit that if you asked anyone who's ever had to complete a group project with me, you'd hear otherwise.)

I will have to look into the book you've suggested. It sounds very insightful!

Blessings on your journey toward trusting Him, too.

Miss Tea

 

[grandma dolittle]

Miss Tea,
I am praying for you. You may pray for me too if you wish. I am like my maiden name... Ford.... Fix Or Repair Daily!!!!

 

[MissTea]

Miss Tea,
I am praying for you. You may pray for me too if you wish. I am like my maiden name... Ford.... Fix Or Repair Daily!!!!

Thanks, Grandma Dolittle. You are in my prayers, too!

 

[Purple Hyacinth]

I have suffered from anxiety/mild depression for decades. I understand what you are going thru! I recently had to go on an anti-depressant for it, and it helped a lot. I am not suggesting you do, but they can help if it gets overwhelming. To be honest, I had to right after the election. I thought I was losing it. I am slowly coming off of it now, and i'll see how I feel. If not, I think i'll have to go on a low dose again.

Praying for you!!!!!

 

[grandma dolittle]

I have suffered from anxiety/mild depression for decades. I understand what you are going thru! I recently had to go on an anti-depressant for it, and it helped a lot. I am not suggesting you do, but they can help if it gets overwhelming. To be honest, I had to right after the election. I thought I was losing it. I am slowly coming off of it now, and i'll see how I feel. If not, I think i'll have to go on a low dose again.

Praying for you!!!!!

The best way I found to fight depression is to think positive thoughts. As the song says 'count your blessings, one by one, count your blessings, see what God has done."

I am clinical depressed. I try to focus on God and read good positive books; watch positive shows... my favorite is Last of the Summer Wine on PBS an awesome British comedy. I talk to God daily ... several times during the day...

I work in my yard and take my meds.... It is an ongoing battle, but you have to decide ... does it rule your life or do you rule your life.

 

[Purple Hyacinth]

The best way I found to fight depression is to think positive thoughts. As the song says 'count your blessings, one by one, count your blessings, see what God has done."

I am clinical depressed. I try to focus on God and read good positive books; watch positive shows... my favorite is Last of the Summer Wine on PBS an awesome British comedy. I talk to God daily ... several times during the day...

I work in my yard and take my meds.... It is an ongoing battle, but you have to decide ... does it rule your life or do you rule your life.

Good advice! Walking and yardwork help me too. I am just afraid i'll have to take meds long term. I struggle with trying to be in total control of my life and that includes fighting this on my own...plus the meds give me freaky dreams