Posted by Dinah on October 30, 2003, at 0:01:14
In reply to sexual abuse survivors and anxiety over our kids?, posted by sfmom on October 28, 2003, at 10:21:27
> I'm not just scared about sexual abuse, but fires, choking, EVERYTHING!
> Every time I smell smoke, I walk up and down the halls, call neighbors, etc. I guess since I know that I can't protect her from everything, I'm focusing too hard on the things I should be able to protect her from
Hi Lyssa,
Both of those statements sound like obsessions over your daughter's wellbeing and your responsibility to protect her, and compulsions to do things that will ease your anxiety. Although the anxiety usually can't be relieved for very long.
I think I'm too tired tonight to explain it very well. But I have a sort of OCD that is more obsession than compulsion and has to do with being afraid I've done something that will harm my family, or not having done something that will prevent harm to my family. And there is some compulsions to "check" things to make sure I haven't. The classic example is checking the stove or the locks on the doors.
If it sounds at all familiar, you might want to look in your library or bookstore for "the boy who couldn't stop washing". It was a real revelation to me.
I've mainly got it under control, though it pops up sometimes when I'm stressed.
poster:Dinah
thread:274265
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20031020/msgs/274875.html