Rachel W
09-09-11, 00:59
Hi,
I was wondering whether someone could relate. I have had OCD since I was 17 (I am now 40), although I had tendencies earlier. I have had a VERY stressful past ten years, and also haven't always eaten healthy either due to contamination, easier to eat fast/junk food etc. I have eaten MUCH healthier in the past couple of years although I am a little overweight, but not too bad. I have always had a larger waistline as well, probably due to stress.
Three years ago I also developed health anxiety and am also studying my master's degree which is also stressful.
Now I fear that I am having memory/cognitive issues. Obviously having OCD has robbed me of memories over the years, and I have never worried that my long-term memory is relatively poor, but I have always been able to remember facts that pertain to the current life, cross-contamination and all that, but recently I feel that my memory is really poor and also concentration, like my thoughts are cut-off and then I have to search for them again.
As mentioned I have been more stressed than ever and I met a friend of the family with dementia last year and after that I used a wrong word in a sentence. After that I panicked and it seemed to make things worse. then it seemed to go away again, although I had on and off fogginess.
Then I had to do field research and there were lots of dogs off leashes and I was getting really stressed EVERY day when out in the field, and I forgot where I had put some of my equipment and did not realise that I was missing my spare boots until I found them with the other stuff. I am constantly worrying about my memory, so I am noticing every glitch.
I am definitely feeling like I am unable to think straight and feel in a daze. It feels like a physical block.
I was wondering whether I could have done permanent damage to my brain and that all this stress over the years is irreversible. I really feel burnt out too and as I live away from family my boyfriend is my only source of close comfort and he does not understand and is actually always on my case about things so I don't have any outlet at all and am more stressed.
Please help.
I was wondering whether someone could relate. I have had OCD since I was 17 (I am now 40), although I had tendencies earlier. I have had a VERY stressful past ten years, and also haven't always eaten healthy either due to contamination, easier to eat fast/junk food etc. I have eaten MUCH healthier in the past couple of years although I am a little overweight, but not too bad. I have always had a larger waistline as well, probably due to stress.
Three years ago I also developed health anxiety and am also studying my master's degree which is also stressful.
Now I fear that I am having memory/cognitive issues. Obviously having OCD has robbed me of memories over the years, and I have never worried that my long-term memory is relatively poor, but I have always been able to remember facts that pertain to the current life, cross-contamination and all that, but recently I feel that my memory is really poor and also concentration, like my thoughts are cut-off and then I have to search for them again.
As mentioned I have been more stressed than ever and I met a friend of the family with dementia last year and after that I used a wrong word in a sentence. After that I panicked and it seemed to make things worse. then it seemed to go away again, although I had on and off fogginess.
Then I had to do field research and there were lots of dogs off leashes and I was getting really stressed EVERY day when out in the field, and I forgot where I had put some of my equipment and did not realise that I was missing my spare boots until I found them with the other stuff. I am constantly worrying about my memory, so I am noticing every glitch.
I am definitely feeling like I am unable to think straight and feel in a daze. It feels like a physical block.
I was wondering whether I could have done permanent damage to my brain and that all this stress over the years is irreversible. I really feel burnt out too and as I live away from family my boyfriend is my only source of close comfort and he does not understand and is actually always on my case about things so I don't have any outlet at all and am more stressed.
Please help.