How OCD is different fom othe behaviors?

[ellion]

OCD is different from behaviors such as gambling addiction and overeating. People with these disorders typically experience at least some pleasure from their activity; OCD sufferers do not actively want to perform their compulsive tasks, and experience no pleasure from doing so. OCD is placed in the anxiety class of mental illness, but like many chronic stress disorders it can lead to clinical depression over time. The constant stress of the condition can cause sufferers to develop a deadening of spirit, a numbing frustration, or sense of hopelessness. OCD's effects on day-to-day life — particularly its substantial consumption of time — can produce difficulties with work, finances and relationships.

[watson]

Actually OCD "sufferers" do want to perform their acts. if they did not, they would not do it. Their is no force forcing them to repeat such tasks. They are choosing to continue onwards. Nothing is taking control of their cells and muscles.

[S. Earl Martin]

Actually I believe that both cases have some truth or validity. I had someone very close to me who had OCD. She would hoard old cloths and other items and is was a compulsion. She would complain about not having enough room in her closet and that she couldn't find anything, but if I suggested sorting threw the stuff and throwing out or giving away all the old things, she would freak at just the suggestion. On one hand she didn't like the behavior, but on the other she was terrified of changing it. However she also suffered from MPD as well. Both these conditions were the result of severe sexual and physical abuse as a child. When I made the realization that she suffered from these and approached her about it. She with drew from the relationship and eventually went to a minister for counseling. He ended up seducing her and making the problem worse. I would say each person is unique and weather they want to do the action or want to stop would vary with each individual.

[liza123]

What does OCD and MPD stand for?

Sorry about your friend, S Earl. Is she OK now? It must  have been 'horrible' for her to have the minister do such a thing!

[S. Earl Martin]

Obsessive compulsive disorder and multiple personality disorder. I didn't realize the extent of her condition at the time and it was only years later that I found out the whole story and put the pieces together. She had 3 different personalities. The one I knew was the woman I meet at church. Very chaste and devoted to the Lord. Later when we were being intimate another personality emerged. That of a little girl. I was shocked. She wanted me to punish her and force her to have sex. I again didn't realize at the time why she was acting like this and told her that I was not into that kind of thing. That sex should be a mutual sharing and no one should be forced to do anything. She had a third personality that I only saw once. She was at a bar sitting with 3 guy's drinking and cussing. I watched her for a while where she couldn't see me. When I approached her she became very nervous. She got up and left and wouldn't speak to me for a long time. When she did she acted like she didn't know what I was talking about.

She died a few years ago. I only found out about her other actions after she died. All the pieces were there, but I didn't put them together until after she went home. One of the biggest mistakes I have ever made in my life was when we first meet. She asked me about people lying and how lying works. I had done an extensive study of lying, how people lie, how they get caught and how they get away with it. I conveyed the information to her and she used it to conceal her actions.
 
It is not uncommon for people who have been abused to develop MPD and OCD. It is an escape mechanism used to distance themselves from the abuse. On one hand one personality knows what is happening is wrong and wants to escape. On another hand the actions have physical pleasure and feel good which leads to guilt so the other personality participates in the action. The mind is a very complex and fragile thing, especially when the person is still young. She is no longer suffering. I regret that I didn't realize the extent of her condition and help her more. She was a good person who tried to help others. She was just betrayed and taken advantage of by people she trusted.

[liza123]

Thanks for your explanation. I am just wondering. Do you think that Michael Jackson had MPD as well? I read that he suffered much abuse from his father. Could he have suffered in that way as well?

Since you have done extensive study about lying and believe in GOD, do you think that a person who lies(let us say, someone who has been lying for more than 35 years) can get away with it until the final days? There is an English,"Truth will out". What do you think?

[S. Earl Martin]

It is possible that someone could maintain a deceit indefinitely. I have known of a number of instances were people continued a deceit and only after they died was it discovered. One instance that comes to mind was a military officer in Europe I can't remember where, that had served for years and was highly decorated. When they were killed it was discovered that they were a woman. It was illegal for woman to serve in the military at the time.

As far as Michel Jackson having MPD it is possible. He did exhibit fantasy behaviors, but determining MPD at this point would be speculation.

I believe that we all will be judged by God and will have to give an account for our actions. Many religious documents or writtings not just Judeao Christian, but others as well state that all will be judged and that God judges by the heart.

MPD is an escape mechanism in many instances. It is a dissociative reaction. When the unpleasant event happens the person retreats and allows the other personality to experience the event. That way most of the time they can block out the memory.

OCD on the other hand can be triggered by a number of factors. Usually it is an underlying emotion or memory that is leading to the compulsion. This leads to thoughts and in turn to the compulsive action. The memory might be sub conscious. The mind is so fragile. When people are betrayed or shocked it can become disfunctional. Once the damage is done it can be difficult or even impossible to repair.

[liza123]

That was a good one about the woman. I salute her. Ha ha. She did a really good job. 

Yes, I know that it will take more to determine whether MJ/Michael Jackson had MPD. But, then, the thought just entered my mind and so, I simply had to ask.

I agree with you about the jdgement by God. What is your meaning by God judges by the heart? A sincere, loving, pure heart?

Can OCD and MPD be cured or healed to some extent? How difficult would that be?

[S. Earl Martin]

I am not a Psychologist by trade. I am not sure of the proper treatment of either OCD or MPD. Maybe some of our more learned participants can answer that.
My personnel belief in God or Jesus has gotten me in trouble with other Christians. The word says that a virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a child and He shall be called Immanuel. Jesus has many names. Prince of Peace. Lord of Lords. King of Kings. The Messiah. Etc. So if I except the Son of God as my savior it is the same as excepting Jesus. Or for that matter since Jesus and God are the same then if I except God it is the same. Unless a person is born again they shall not see the kingdom of God. If only Christians go to Heaven then how do all the old testament Prophets go to Heaven. So what does born again mean?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love they neighbor as they self. Theologians have been debating the path to Heaven since the beginning of religion. So again this is my personnel belief. I try to do what I believe is right. I honer God and believe God's son is Jesus the Christ. That God sent God's son to show us personnel sacrifice and the way to honer God. The ten commandments are a guide sent by God as well. Praying to God and having faith that God will be your guide and protector are important as well.
 

[liza123]

Thanks for your reply. SWM is the right person to answer my question, the learned one as you said.

Hmm, I understand your thoughts and queries about God, the bible, etc. It is good to know that you are not a sheep that follows the herd. I think that it is important for one to reflect and find asnwers, Seek and ye shall find.

When you said that God judges by the heart, you meant the 10 commandments...basically, it is your loving, forgiving, sincere heart....

[S. Earl Martin]

Correct. We all make mistakes and no one is perfect. If God judged only our actions no one would be saved. So I believe that God's mercy and compassion come into play. Our intent what we intend is seen by God. We don't really have the capacity to understand things on that deep of a level. We want to do what is right, but still sometimes do what we know is wrong. We ask "why did I do that" and only have a vague comprehension of our motives. We can try and deceive ourselves at times, but God being perfect understands us better than we understand ourselves. This is where faith in God's forgiveness and seeking God's forgiveness in prayer is important.
Liza123: I like your answers on this sight as well. You are pretty straight forward and I like that. BFN

[liza123]

This is where faith in God's forgiveness and seeking God's forgiveness in prayer is important.
Liza123: I like your answers on this sight as well. You are pretty straight forward and I like that. BFN

I took it for granted that God forgives me because He resides within me and knows me. But, from now onwards, I will ask for forgiveness from God as part of my prayers(after reading your post  ).

Yes, I am pretty straightforward but, there are 'certain' people who do not like that and I have got into 'trouble' because of that. It caused some dilemma in me previously. Then, I reflected about the relevant issues and realised certain things about people, the world, etc. So, I am still pretty straightforward as you put it. I like myself this way

Thanks for your positive comment. 

[S. Earl Martin]

Being straight forward is just fine with me. As long as we are honest. I am pretty straight forward myself. I used to be quite blunt, but after I studied mediation and learned about neutral language. It made it easier to communicate my ideas and information without ruffling as many feathers.
We are getting off subject again. Lets see how can we relate this to OCD etc?
OCD can manifest in different ways. The compulsion can be excessive neatness or repeated behaviors like hand washing. I have some of these traits. I don't think it is to the degree of OCD, but I like towels to be folded a certain way. I don't like things pointing at me. Pens or pencils anything pointed I will turn it away from me or I will position myself to one side. If I am going to sing or do something in public I prefer to go first. That way the anxiety doesn't build and I don't compare myself to other people. I have developed more patterns or habits as I have gotten older because I tend to forget things if I don't make a habit of them.  Oh well BFN 

[liza123]

You hit the nail on the head. Initially, I wrote about "Honesty is the best policy" and that is what I practise. But, I edited my post and made it short with "pretty straightforward". Yes, I used to be blunt as well. But, I have toned down a lot, learned to 'communicate' better as well. I used to think that my wisdom came with my wisdom teeth

About repeated behaviors, I used to check the doors to see if they are locked a number of times, certain things placed in certain ways or else something kept bugging me, etc. But, the surprising thing is that I have got over all of them. I realised that my habits were unusual and  talked myself into not practising such behaviors. I do not know if these past behaviors could be called OCD. But, I know that I have overcome all my unusual behaviors with mind control, determination and God. Hence, my previous question whether it could be cured.

[spring]

OCD is different from behaviors such as gambling addiction and overeating. People with these disorders typically experience at least some pleasure from their activity; OCD sufferers do not actively want to perform their compulsive tasks and experience no pleasure from doing so.
OCD can, like many forms of chronic stress, lead to clinical depression over time.[citation needed] The constant stress of the condition can cause sufferers to develop a deadening of spirit, a numbing frustration, or sense of hopelessness. OCD's effects on day-to-day life, particularly its substantial consumption of time, can produce difficulties with work, finances, and relationships. There is no known cure for OCD, but a number of successful treatment options are available.