single trait vs. full-blown psychiatric disorder
 

Dear Bizi,

I'd say either one or neither, imho.

In brief, ruminative/obsessive thinking is a necessary trait, but not a sufficient one, for an OCD dx. With bipolar, it is not even a "necessary" trait, but in my experience it can show up as part of mania or depression.

Some folks simply have a ruminative nature - they are ponderers. And i can say that i am, even when i am well - so perhaps i am predisposed to excesses in this area, when i am unwell. Other folks may go through periods of ruminative thinking. If uncontrolled, this type of thinking leads to obsession and excessive worrying. This single aspect does not imply that a person has OCD, Bipolar, GAD, or any other psychiatric disorder, in each of which multiple characteristic traits are necessary.

Folks with OCD are pretty much always ruminative, because it forms a strong part of the definition, but it takes more than rumination / obsession / excessive worrying to dx someone w/ OCD.

I don't know if you have OCD Bizi.

I see that many become obsessive as a result of anxiety.

Also, i know that in manic and depressive episodes, it can happen although it does not necessarily happen. it depends on the particular episode. i know i can get that way when depressed, but it hasn't occurred in all my depressions - regardless of degree. I probably get that way in mania too sometimes, but that is complicated and i don't always see it. I can tell you that, in clean/euphoric manias i had in the past (much younger, pre-dx, unmedicated) my friends were telling me that i was totally obsessed about this or that. to me the idea was totally ridiculous at the time. they said i needed to ease up, slow down... Ha! i would laugh and say i couldn't get things done fast enough... no insight until after... typical of mania i suppose.

(((((((( hugs )))))))))

~ waves ~

Bizi,

Waves has good thoughts here.

When I was on lithium, I was had kind of mixed moods (mostly depressive) with lots of ruminating.


A pdoc needs more that that to come up with a diagnosis of ocd.
Are you feeling slightly manic?

M

no hypo mania here, was tempted to try the ssri in hopes that I would have a bit more energy to do stuff but it is not worth the risk.
thanks bizi

Ok, I am making myself take a shower...it has been 4 days and jeff is not here and i have avoided the shower long enough....
why is it so hard to just take a shower????????
I ate 4 girl scout cookies, thin mints, they were good.
I feel so bloated, I don't feel good diet wise.
bizi who is afraid to get on that scale.....
I gave up alcohol for lent....I almost fell off the wagon tonight. I actually drove to our local bar to have a drink and dinner....but when I pulled in the door was boarded up so they had closed. So I drove home....I did not drink but I was going to.
bizi

Bizi,

Try to rethink a little. You do not have to be on a diet. You can choose instead to eat foods that are good for you in the right amounts.


It is hard for many of us on this board to take showers. We are in the same boat in this regard.

I do not take showers. I wash one piece of my body at a time: one day it is hair, the next day this, . . . . It makes it easier for me.

Find ways that work for you.

M

I had an early dinner tonight, 4;30.
Left over cheesy hamburger with tomato sauce, and pan fried catfish which was delicious!
but after my shower I was hungry so I raided the fridge.
1/2 cup mixed nuts, 1/4 cup of humus, 100 calorie bag of lite pop corn,
12 oz V8 juice.(i know that was alot of sodium)
I had had a good lunch: chicken veg soup, kale, collard greens and beets.
I try to eat at Sandras health food store for lunch every day.
their food is delicious and so good for me.
my bowels are still not right, i must not be drinking enough water.
still taking metamucil heaping tablespoon twice a day.
jeff gets home tomorrow.
bizi

Dear Bizi,
Keep taking care of yourself.
Jeff will be back soon.

M

tips on the shower
 

Sometimes I don't want to shower either, but what I did was change my mindset. I know how good they feel, and how good that feels to go to bed in clean jammies and sheets, now I do this shower every night, and sleep so much better. All I had to do is remind myself on how good it smells and feels. I also picked a body wash that I love the scent. {try the sniff test} I also use a bath sponge, natural, which feels pretty good too. ginnie

Sorry, my opinion is Shower is overrated.

Can I join the club, I hate them too.

Donna:grouphug::hug:

i agree - overrated
 

yep, i do the piece-by-piece myself...

i also do shower whenever i can manage, but that isn't every day, especially not in winter! when i lived in a really hot climate with no a/c ... well, then, i did shower every day... if i could, i would have showered more than once a day LOL!!! but it was easier ... now with the shared bathroom it is a real PITA, between the cleaning, and the timing and... just everything.

..................................
Dear Bizi, still, all that said, i am glad you managed to get a shower in for yourself ... (now you can ease up for a while hehe ;)).

~ waves ~