I have had people laughing at me thinking that its all a big joke with my funny ways. Joke it isnt, painful it is for me. I just can't help myself I have to go through my rituals no matter how hard I try to stop myself. The thoughts inside my head is like nagging pain that keeps on and on until I am driven to perform my 'acts'. I know its silly, a mature, intelligent, rational woman like myself should be able stop myself butI just can't.

-- Anonymous, May 05, 2001

Answers

You feel driven to perform acts that you think others laugh at. you believe you should be able to stop yourself but cannot. This is causing you distress.

-- Anonymous, November 02, 2001

Nina, i understand your pain from people laughing at you. dont take any notic of them, it is not your fault. when i put myself in your shoes, i feel what you are going through and it is not easy when you cannot help yourself. nina i want to try and understand this much more clearly, when you say a nagging pain in your head nina, what does it tell you to do?

-- Anonymous, November 02, 2001

Nina, I understand it is very hard to you. It's part of your illness.It is nothing to do with silly or funny. Maybe you need some help to cut down your rituals, not to stop at the moment.

-- Anonymous, November 05, 2001

Hi Nina, I acknowldge pain of any kind is no joke and that these rituals for you are difficult to stop. Can you explain to me what the thoughts inside your head actually say, to drive you to perform your 'acts'?

-- Anonymous, November 05, 2001

Nina it will take timeto stop this rituals but you will need help and we are here to help you

-- Anonymous, November 05, 2001

Nina, I can understand how difficult it must be for you when people laugh at you. May be they don't need anything bad about it. It's probable they don't understand your illness and your feelings. Could you share your thoughts with us , explain to us how you feel. May be this will give us a chance to understand you and be able to help you.

-- Anonymous, November 05, 2001

Nina, i know it is not nice to have people laugh at you, they don't understand the pain you are going through. Can you tell me more about the thoughts in your head before you do these rituals?

-- Anonymous, November 05, 2001

it is never justifiable for people to laugh at other people, niether is any one justified to laugh at you nina. no one expects you to get over this on your own, that is why nina we are here. We will assist you, encourage you and empower you l until you realise that "yes you can do it".

-- Anonymous, November 05, 2001

Why can't you stop l know you have to do it, what happens if you don't.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

nina i can imagine your frustrations and anxiety when you are laughed at.Can you tell me more about what drives you to performing those rituals.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina, there is no immunity to mental ilness. I am wondering whether you have accepted the death of your mother or seen a bereavement councellor, if not i think it is an option we should look at. Your daughter's illness obviously doesn't help your state of mind, but Nina we are all here to reassure you that not washing everthing would not harm you in anyway.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina i appreciate your concerns when people laugh at you thinking that it's funny. It's ignorance. I can,t believe that people could be so insensitive to other,s. Can you tell me more regarding when this problem surfaced

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina,I appreciate the fact that you have insigt in your illness.This is good towards your recovery.I believe,however,you think people joke about your problem thereby upsetting you.what would you feel if you ignored them or told them off?

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina I appreciate your concerns and I am surprised people could be so insensitive to other peoples problems. I think it,s all due to ignorance. Could you tell me more regarding when you first felt that something was wrong.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina, You must be going through a difficult situation. I suggest that you go for counselling and bereavement sessions.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina,I understand your concern but I cant immerging any one laughing at others problem,its not that easy.So stop puting yourself down ,I know it must be very difficult having to go through such a ritual day in day out ,am sure things can change if you realy determine to work at it,we all have one or two problems in our lives.It is not enough blaming yourself.Keep working on your care plan and discus any concern with your key nurse.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Hi Nina,

I know it must be very hard for you. What I would like to know is that how long have you felt depressed. Have the feelings just started or have you always felt depressed about what you are doing?

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina have you ever tried blocking those thoughts away by doing something to distract them? Do you ever feel you need help? Would like to sit down and share you feelings with someone who can help you deal with these thoughts? If so I am here to help.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina it sounds to me that you have already identified where you would like to be and now maybe you can find solutions to get there. I know it can be demoralising to have people laugh at you and put you down. Nina have asked yourself what would happen if one day you did not perform your rituals?

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

It is very normal for people to judge when they do not understand,from my understanding it seems you want to stop these rituals and i suggest that you pay attention towards getting yourself well than focus on other people who will never understand even if you explain.You are not well at the moment hence i would not say you are acting silly because this is beyond your control , i wish you could start looking at it that way.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Don't feel put down when people laugh because these are ignorant people people who know nothing about your problem.Have you tried other ways to stop the nagging pain that makes you perform your rituals?

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina did you say people are loughing at you because of your rituals and would you be in a position to share with me the thought inside your head which are a nagging pain that drive you to perform the rituals you are talking about.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina, It is unfortunate to hear you say that people laugh at your ways of doing things and it hurt. They certainly do not know what you are going through hence their present attitude towards you. Can you tell me more about the taughts inside your heard that is like nagging pain?

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

hie nina, i sympathise with you when you say people are laughing at you. take no notice of it, that is what i would do. you said you have to go through your rituals no matter how hard you try to stop them, from the help you are receiving have you not been able to at least benefit from the treatment they are giving you. my advice to you would be to take it step by step at this stage you can not aim to get rid of you rituals completely. it will take time and we are here to help you.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Be honest to everyone how this makes you feel. Don't hide and let this eat you inside. Being honest will hopefully help people review their behaviour towards you. O.K. Have to go and do the meds

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

I cant imagine how distressing this must be for you. I am glad that you have been able to tell me some of the feelings that are envoked in you because of your inability to control these acts. Could you tell me more about these feelings?

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

I am sorry Nina you have to go through this ordeal. I know it is not fair that people should laugh at you. I understand how you must feel, the pain and emotional stress that you must be going through.Can you tell me more about the nagging pain?.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Hi Nina,

Nina, I appreciate that you have insight with what is going on with you. Its unfortunate that people seem to be laughing at you. Can you tell me more about the thoughts in your head and see if we can come with coping strategies.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina, it must be distressing when people laugh at you, I am sure they do not understand your illness. If you would like to talk more about your thoughts lets find a quiet place.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2001

Nina, frankly speaking the condition that you have makes one appear to be a real nag, and one thing you have to realise is that until the general public is educated enough they might not change their perspective. never-the-less i understand and recognise the part of you that is taking positive steps to overcome it and this is an aspect that, with your help i wish to focus on so that we can reinforce the behaviour that i will call "normal" for want of a better word. lets begin by you expressing how you feel before and after performing a ritual.

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

nina it can be very distressing when people laugh and it is difficult when they dont mind their own business. but it is important to know that the nurses and i are here to try and help.yes i may not understand what you are going through and i accept that but i am try to. when you say the nagging pain makes you do things, what does it tell you to do?

-- Anonymous, November 07, 2001

what do you think would happen if you didn't respond to these thoughts? I know its not easy, but you need to focus less on how others react, and more on your own methods on responding more effectively to your problems. You shouldn't berate yourself, instead we will work with you to find more effective ways of coping.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

hi,nina! i can understand your feelings,and am sorry that people do not seem to understand the way you are feeling.am i correct to say that you think of yourself as silly,mature and irrational? i would like to believe that feelings have nothing to do with the factors that you have mentioned--it is perfectly normal for anyone to feel the way you are feeling--lets meet over coffeee and talk some more?

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

Hi Nina Can we meet and discuss these feelings and nagging pain that drive you to perform your 'acts'. In the mean time do not let these feelings bother you so much, try and take control of the situation.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

Hi Nina, It is Mary. I understand the point you are making when saying that your experience is painful. You also mentioned that you have people laughing at you and that they think it is all a big joke with your fanny ways. Nina, sometimes we assume things that is not necessary real, probably you see people laughing, but it does not mean that they are thinking that its a 'bik joke'. We can not read people's mind can we?. I know it is not easy for you to change the way you are thinking at the moment, but with our help you will be able to understand better your condition and work through these irrational thoughts or invading thought that keeps coming in to your mind. What I can say is that there is a big hope for you. I would like to keep in touch talking to you in order to assess better your needs and use the best of my skills to help you to help yourself. God Bless Mary

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2001

it's seems to me that preforming these rituals is important to you, can we talk about these nagging pains that go on in your head Nina?

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2001

Nina its always difficult to bare sittuations were people laugh at you.However it si also important not to put the blame upon your self, you have done nothing wrong.You should not think you are silly because at times you cannot control your self its not your fault.

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2001

hi Nina, i do understand your situation for people to laugh at you. I would suggest you try not to let these feelings bother you so much and try to take control of the situation.

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2001

if this occurs again find a way to distruct your thoughts by doing something different.

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2001

Thandiwe, it appears to me like you are very BITTER and can relate to my problems, i see myself in you, so what are we going to do sis.

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2001

Dear Nina, Which people are you reffering to when you say they are laughing at you?

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2001

I'm glad you know that at times it's silly what really makes you not stop?

-- Anonymous, November 11, 2001

nina ,having this illness i believe its very stessful for you ,but having people laugh at you must be even a bigger pain and i take it those who laugh have no insight into what you are going through,hence take no notice.

-- Anonymous, November 12, 2001

Nina,its good to note that you are aware of intrusive thougths.these are called COMPLUSIVE thoughts and as you mentioned they lead you to certain repertitive,purposeful acts called OBESSIONS.we can work with you using certain approaches to stop those acts and thoughts if you so wish.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001

Nina you said you are a mature ,intelligent and above all a rational woman. Do you think it is really fair to let other people's opinion and attitudes influence your mental health?

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2001

Dear Nina, What would you call your rituals,please specify?

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001

I KNOW IT MUST BE HARD FOR U TO PUT UP WITH ALL THOSE FEELINS THAT PEOPLE ARE PROJECTING TOWARDS YOU.BUT ARE U SURE THAT THOSE PEOPLE ARE REALLY LAUGHING OR MAKING FUN TO U?OR IS IT YOUR OWN INTERPRETATION OF PEOPLE BEHAVIOURS TOWARDS U?

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001

HelloNina, I sympathise with you Nina.Iwill arrange a meeting so that I can elaborate more on OCD.I hope it will enlightened you withfurther insight.

-- Anonymous, November 19, 2001

I understand that you should be going through so much pain ,having to go through all those rituals and also feeling that people are laughing at you.l am here to help you to come to terms with your problem.

-- Anonymous, November 20, 2001

Nina, you must be really troubled about what is going on with you at present. I wonder what triggers the anxiety that drive you to perform the rituals. Could you please tell me what happens or how you feel before you start performing the ritual and see if I can help.

-- Anonymous, November 20, 2001

Nina, this must be all difficult for you. Would you be prepared to share your thoughts with me because I can only just imagine how distressing they must be, causing you to do these rituals. I know that at times we as people think that other people dont really understand us. True as that might be, I have learnt through my own little troubles that talking about things helps a great deal. It has helped me and I think that it might help you too, but only when you are ready.

-- Anonymous, November 23, 2001

nina i dont think anyone would feel good if someome laughs at them. i think in this particular instance you are reffering to you could have tried to establish whether these individuals were really laughing at you.

-- Anonymous, November 23, 2001

Nina, I understand you are going through such pain. Its not something fun, putting myself in your shoes, I feel you are experiencing a painful situation. Can you please tell me more about the about the rituals you are going through?

-- Anonymous, November 23, 2001

I"M glad you know that at times it's silly it shows me that you do think about this at times

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2001

I know its painful for you we should find a way which will make it less painful

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2001

Nina, i understand your pain from people laughing at you.i acknowledge that i have to be in your shoes to have know what you are going through. when i put myself in your shoes, i feel what you are going through and it is not easy when you cannot help yourself. nina i want to try and understand this much more clearly, when you say a nagging pain in your head nina, in what ways does this pain nag?

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2001

Nina, Would like to engage in Cognitive Behaviour therapy with me? During the therapy session we will work on reducing, and eventually eradicating your thoughts and rituals. If you are interested tell me when you are ready.

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2001

you should not assume things i think these individuals will be happy explaining what they were laughing at.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2002

Nina, please describe the actual thoughts further so that we can assist you in the best way we can.Meanwhile, stop worrying about people laughing at you and tell me more about the feelings you are experiencing.

-- Anonymous, March 18, 2002