Post Traumatic Stress Support Group

Hi I am new to this group and did not know what forum to go to for help, I need help really bad, I am so scared and have had PTSD for years and I have chronic IC bladder disease with neurological symptoms of MS.. I have chronic pain syndrome and do go to a pain specialist.. I have these moments in my life where i get the PTSD so bad I go into OCD and I have a problem where I cut my hair and will stay in the bathroom for hours cutting it not knowing why i started to begin with, then I have messed it up so bad i am devastated I feel like a complete fool and this has been going on for years, I dont know what to do, I have no life and have isolated myself to the point i dont go out side only to appointments nor do i talk on the phone.. I have had the OCD hair cutting for years and the PTSD was after a freak surgery to where i was over dosed and quit breathing and almost died, since then I have had all this happening to me and dont know where to turn and my family and friends do not seem to understand me... There is so much more to say and i just was hoping i could get some help, understanding and direction from someone who understands then selves or has been thru similar issues... I thank you all and look forward to being here as i heard this is another place in heaven where others are here to love and help and you...

virgolady. Welcome to the group. Im sorry you are going threw so much. I can't imagine the pain you must be in. I to am going threw alot of pain' I have a mystery illness the doctors can't figure out and im just about the end of my rope. Im sure we can help you here. Feel free to get involved in the discussions. And again welcome.

Scott

If I may make a suggestion here because I also have OCD and a lot of it. Whenever you feel the need to cut your hair go outside like in your yard or outside the front door of your house and sit down and bring along a pen and paper and write it down-write down the time and the day-sort of in a journal but write it down. Anytime you feel that way. If you still have the feeling after a couple of minutes write it down again-write down how you are feeling and what it is that is making you so compuslive to cut your hair. Remember to stay outside do not go back in while you have the feeling to cut your hair. If you write it ten times in 5 minutes that is OK. Do not go back inside until the feeling passes. If you still feel the need after 5 minutes then take a short walk around the block.

Do you happen to have an IPOD? Put that on if you do when you feel the need to cut your hair. You need to distract yourself in some way. The best way is to get as far away from the bathroom as possible and occupy yourself. This means going outside. This means writing. Do you have a Starbucks nearby? Go sit down at the local coffee pub. You have to try and get your mind off the OCD. The best way is to write and write and write and to get away from the source of the OCD which is the bathroom. That is because the only place you are cutting your hair is in the bathroom. So you need to get away from the bathroom when feeling the need.

Make sure you do this outside away from any bathroom and get some fresh air at the same time. Walking will really help. Put some music on your IPOD.

Do NOT watch TV while you are OCD? Why? Because it is inside and usually in your bedroom close to a bathroom. Bring a book outside. You need to get away from whatever is making you OCD and that is the bathroom.

I wish for you all the best.

Hi, I wanted to thank you so very much for your suggestion.. I am going to try what you said, its very hard because all my stress from my health issues and childhood nightmares has caused me to go into that OCD mode and it makes me feel as if the only thing i have to control is my hair.. I guess its such an addiction now its gonna be so hard to break like smoking, and I used to do that many years ago and know how hard that is to quit.. I thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and suggestions, this seems like an awesome place to find others who really do understand and want to be there to help as well as find it.. I sure hope too get this under control as it has control over my life and i cry so hard after i do it, because i made a bigger mess then i started with, I dont even know why i go into start and then realize I am doing it when I have messed something up then i really start to cry and ask what have you done?. I have been there for hours and sometimes all night and day and dont know the time has past until my hubby asks if i am all right...I feel like a complete idiot and fool and sometimes like i have lost my mind... I been to beauty college and know how to cut hair and am really good at it so it gives me the advantage, now i wish i never learned..I am too disabled to cut others hair and dont know why I do this to my self.. I am trying to understand and know i have a problem and have read about Trichotillomania and found it is another ocd that is similar to mine and it mentions my condition in their too... I want to thank you again and hope i get to hear from you and many others, as it seems to help so much to know there is so much love and support out there...

I think it is because you have developed a "focus" on it, so to speak, to curb your hurt and your anger. OCD usually involves a focus point where you find safety and security. For you that is your bathroom. For example, I sabotage everything under the sun. I have been kicked out of this forum twice and today I got kicked out of the Laundromat because I spilled some water on the floor and the police were called and I was removed. All of it was a result of losing my cool. So right now I am trying to control my anger. I become focused on sabotaging everything and then I lose my cool which doesn't help out things much.

So maybe ask your hubby when you feel like going into the bathroom to stand by the door to make sure you are safe and secure. I would also get rid of every scissor in your house. Just throw them away or give them to your hubby or a close friend or neighbor.

The bathroom seems to be your safety and security blanket. I would definitely try to avoid the bathroom as much as you can and when you have to go use it I would not do so without hubby close by. Have him watch you, or even go in with you, so you don't do anything that might be associated with OCD. And make sure your hubby takes the scissors. You need to get rid of all those scissors or at least you need to get rid off all access to them.

Thanks so much.. everything you said makes total sense, and Hubby agrees and we will take everything you said into consideration.. My hubby wanted to mention he too along with me has anger issues he has dealt with and is still trying and getting much better for many years, and talking to you has helped us both out so much, I know its a long hard road but someone or something sent me here today and its so wonderful to be here and to know there are others out there who too struggle and come here seeking love and understanding yet to give it to others as well... Please keep in touch.. }i{ugs

I am glad for you and your hubby. Yes I have anger issues but I know I do. The first step is to recognizing the issue and the second is to take the steps to do something about it. I am still working on the second step. Just realize you are not alone and you and your hubby should be proud of yourself for coming this far! So stand up for yourself and take that stand! You have and you will survive!

I still think the major issue for you is to avoid going to or being in the bathroom alone. Always have your hubby or at least someone around no matter what. Remember it it is the bathroom that is the major problem. That is where you feel safe and secure. Avoid the bathroom alone. If your hubby is not around go over to a neighbor's house or just go outside with a paper and pen and write down how you are feeling. Just don't go in or even near the bathroom alone. Get an IPOD. Or bring a radio outside with you. You need to distract yourself from being near or in the bathroom alone.

I think this will help you. Good luck to both you and your husband!