I Would Really Appreciate Advice

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POJIUJH

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Hello everyone, for 7 years I have been an addict to sins of the flesh. With God’s grace, the Rosary, Our Lady’s unfailing assistance, the Sacraments and the numerous prayers I have asked for on these forums, God has kept me pure for two years.

I am forever thankful for this, and please everyone, if you could, stop and say even a Hail Mary for me and for other people who are in my situation.

I am currently having a bit of trouble, in that I seem to be training myself into OCD behaviour, but I’m not exactly sure how. A habit of mine that I have kept up is by nipping myself every time the inevitable thoughts produced by habit from those 7 years of Hell come to mind, then proceeding to ask for the help of Jesus, Mary and the Saints. this always seems to be a good way to “wake” you to the situation and I am sure the nipping is good also as a psychological guard to associate with these things.

I don’t think that this is what is causing it, but recently these thoughts are turning more obsessive and seem to permeate anything I do that isn’t fully focused on carrying out some other task. The nippings I have gotten used to and just aren’t as sharp as they were, so I have had to resort to more and more violent means. Hitting my knuckles together, slapping myself, punching solid walls. Even, when pushed for anything else, having to resort to punching myself squarely in the ribs just to distract my mind. It seems nothing else does it, as this obsessiveness is able to effect even prayer, so that it no longer is able to distract the mind enough.

I work self employed, so I do most often than not work beyond evening time, this I don’t mind so much, as I don’t have any real leisure activities. My work is fairly enjoyable compared to other trades, but I do tend to get to sleep quite late because of this.

I fear to think that this could get any worse, could anyone offer me any advice? Would my work and times of rest be helping to cause this situation?

Any help is much appreciated.
 
Pray ceaselessly and do lots of good spiritual reading; keep recollected in God, with your mind occupied with good, holy thoughts. This will not give you the time to think impure thoughts. When an impure thought forces itself upon you immediately call upon Mary for her assistance. St. Francis once threw himself on a thorn bush and St. Benedict I think in a pond of cold water in order to conquer concupiscence of the flesh. Do whatever you have to do (that is not sinful) to conquer your concupiscence, but first and foremost invoke Mary’s assistance with 100% confidence. God bless you.
 
POJIUJH said:
Hello everyone, for 7 years I have been an addict to sins of the flesh. With God’s grace, the Rosary, Our Lady’s unfailing assistance, the Sacraments and the numerous prayers I have asked for on these forums, God has kept me pure for two years.

I am forever thankful for this, and please everyone, if you could, stop and say even a Hail Mary for me and for other people who are in my situation.

I am currently having a bit of trouble, in that I seem to be training myself into OCD behaviour, but I’m not exactly sure how. A habit of mine that I have kept up is by nipping myself every time the inevitable thoughts produced by habit from those 7 years of Hell come to mind, then proceeding to ask for the help of Jesus, Mary and the Saints. this always seems to be a good way to “wake” you to the situation and I am sure the nipping is good also as a psychological guard to associate with these things.

I don’t think that this is what is causing it, but recently these thoughts are turning more obsessive and seem to permeate anything I do that isn’t fully focused on carrying out some other task. The nippings I have gotten used to and just aren’t as sharp as they were, so I have had to resort to more and more violent means. Hitting my knuckles together, slapping myself, punching solid walls. Even, when pushed for anything else, having to resort to punching myself squarely in the ribs just to distract my mind. It seems nothing else does it, as this obsessiveness is able to effect even prayer, so that it no longer is able to distract the mind enough.

I work self employed, so I do most often than not work beyond evening time, this I don’t mind so much, as I don’t have any real leisure activities. My work is fairly enjoyable compared to other trades, but I do tend to get to sleep quite late because of this.

I fear to think that this could get any worse, could anyone offer me any advice? Would my work and times of rest be helping to cause this situation?

Any help is much appreciated.
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I think you need to see a priest—even if just for half-an-hour, to steer the ship right, because you’re going down a path you ought not to.
 
I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m praying for you. Speaking to a therapist may also help you deal with obsessive behavior. He/she will probably know some different methods for changing this pattern. Your priest may even be able to recommend a Catholic therapist in your area.
 
POJIUJH said:
Hello everyone, for 7 years I have been an addict to sins of the flesh. With God’s grace, the Rosary, Our Lady’s unfailing assistance, the Sacraments and the numerous prayers I have asked for on these forums, God has kept me pure for two years.

I am forever thankful for this, and please everyone, if you could, stop and say even a Hail Mary for me and for other people who are in my situation.

I am currently having a bit of trouble, in that I seem to be training myself into OCD behaviour, but I’m not exactly sure how. A habit of mine that I have kept up is by nipping myself every time the inevitable thoughts produced by habit from those 7 years of Hell come to mind, then proceeding to ask for the help of Jesus, Mary and the Saints. this always seems to be a good way to “wake” you to the situation and I am sure the nipping is good also as a psychological guard to associate with these things.

I don’t think that this is what is causing it, but recently these thoughts are turning more obsessive and seem to permeate anything I do that isn’t fully focused on carrying out some other task. The nippings I have gotten used to and just aren’t as sharp as they were, so I have had to resort to more and more violent means. Hitting my knuckles together, slapping myself, punching solid walls. Even, when pushed for anything else, having to resort to punching myself squarely in the ribs just to distract my mind. It seems nothing else does it, as this obsessiveness is able to effect even prayer, so that it no longer is able to distract the mind enough.

I work self employed, so I do most often than not work beyond evening time, this I don’t mind so much, as I don’t have any real leisure activities. My work is fairly enjoyable compared to other trades, but I do tend to get to sleep quite late because of this.

I fear to think that this could get any worse, could anyone offer me any advice? Would my work and times of rest be helping to cause this situation?

Any help is much appreciated.
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When one has an obsession, very often, the more you resist and focus on whatever the obsession is, the worse it will get. The key is often ignoring it.

However, I would suggest seeing a professional about this, a psychologist. Well, if you have any kind of obsession, that could be diagnosed to determine whether it’s something to be concerned about or not.

If it is an obsession, it would probably be treated with counseling, medication, or a combination of both.

My ex-husband had obsessions, and let’s just say it got to the point it even caused serious problems in our marriage. That was a shame, because he did agree to go with me. He was diagnosed as having obsessive-compulsive disorder, but he didn’t want treatment.

We divorced, in part, due to it. Well, had he even agreed to be treated, it would have been one thing.

He started getting some medication due to panic attacks, but this was with an MD (not a psychiatrist). It just made him a happy OC, but it did nothing to change the obsessions.

If you feel it necessary to harm yourself in order to try to stop these obsessions, then I think it’d be prudent to get some help. If it were an obsession, I think it would actually be quite treatable. At least, that’s what my psychologist told me about my ex-husband.

My ex-husband even knew he had OC. His father had it, too. It’s my understanding there’s a genetic component.

In any case, in the meantime, my suggestion would be to stop giving the obsessions all your attention by punishing yourself so hard. If it’s an obsession, it will not only not help the obsession but would probably make it even worse. Ignore it until you can get some professional help with a professional counselor.

Good luck! 🙂
 
These obsessions of yours seem to be strong temptations, which can have as their source the world, the flesh, or the devil.

The best initial way to deal with them is to let them slide away as others have suggested. Do not do what you have been doing; instead, increase your prayers’ strength. Pray for help to Christ, Mary, St Michael the Archangel, your Guardian Angel, your patron saint(s), and any other good saints.

Get to Confession once a week–you get special graces and they will help you.

And add in mental prayer if you are not already doing so.

All of this advice is from talks of a good and knowledgeable priest, which I have followed and it has helped me. Sometimes with the praying, I had to pray really hard, then a few minutes later, pray again. It’s like a war with battles. And then a couple of weeks later, I started getting different temptations, which I had to learn to recognize and do the same thing for.
 
Oh, one last thing, in the meantime, also, stop harming yourself. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. While some saints have punished themselves and gotten it to work for them, it’s not something I would generally recommend.

Also, a lot of saints didn’t have the full benefit of the psychology of today and medication and such.
 
This info may help.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=864935

Hi, there is a very good chance you may have OCD. OCD is a mental illness caused by an overactive cingulate gyrus in the brain. This over activity is biological in nature. OCD causes unwanted upsetting intrusive thoughts. They can be violent, blasphemous, scrupulous, condemning, self-doubting, angry, anxiety ridden, etc. The sufferer is usually not sinning by having these thoughts.

Please seek the help of a priest and a good Catholic/Christian psychiatrist. This condition is highly treatable with medication and counseling.
 
fred_conty said:
This info may help.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=864935

Hi, there is a very good chance you may have OCD. OCD is a mental illness caused by an overactive cingulate gyrus in the brain. This over activity is biological in nature. OCD causes unwanted upsetting intrusive thoughts. They can be violent, blasphemous, scrupulous, condemning, self-doubting, angry, anxiety ridden, etc. The sufferer is usually not sinning by having these thoughts.

Please seek the help of a priest and a good Catholic/Christian psychiatrist. This condition is highly treatable with medication and counseling.
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Thank you for the help. You see, I don’t really have any previous symptoms of OCD. Unfortunately, both good priests and Catholic/Christian psychiatrists are almost non existent in the part of the world I am in. But I think psychiatry is a bit extreme to be honest. But that you very much for the the suggestion and the link.
 
POJIUJH said:
Thank you for the help. You see, I don’t really have any previous symptoms of OCD. Unfortunately, both good priests and Catholic/Christian psychiatrists are almost non existent in the part of the world I am in. But I think psychiatry is a bit extreme to be honest. But that you very much for the the suggestion and the link.
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Your very welcome and I pray you find the cause.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.
 
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