About Jennifer Goodwin Expertise Can answer questions about OCD, especially obsessions. Will not confirm whether someone has OCD but can help someone cope with their obsessions and compulsions. I can answer questions on medications used for OCD but will not get into dosage information as I am not a medical doctor.
Experience Have had OCD for 28 years and have been through numerous therapies, such as CBT and participated in research as far as finding the genes responsible for OCD with the John Hopkins University group. Experience with various medications for OCD and depression. I work in a health community center and am very much in tune with mental health issues.
Education/Credentials Do not have a degree in psychology but I believe that a person's life experience can be a great contribution to other people living with the same problems. I have spent most of my life in pursuit of understanding OCD, depression and anxiety disorders and still am doing extensive research.
Expert: Jennifer Goodwin Date: 1/16/2008 Subject: OCD Thoughts
Question Respected Sir/Mam Hello, ur suggestion has helped me a lot, today i wanna ask u that if ocd (thoughts)is false then what u would say if i obsess about true thing which had happened 2me, like i am 20yr old and i am suffering anxiety disorder since childhood, so now i am obsessing about all my life complications which i had suffered due to anxiety but sir if ocd is false then y i am obsessing about my true complications,i mean i cant able to deny this thoughts because there is no doubt that many wrong things has happened to me, i am obsessing about the result of my complications like i failed in exam, i got arrested and much more, so this thoughts isnt false, if obsessive thoughts are false then what kind of ocd is this, still this thoughts are useless or what it is, no doubt any thoughts becomes an obsession for me but i must say u i only obsess about real life problem not of contamination thoughts, my doc says my mind is very very overactive, i am on medication for ocd, i hope my question isnt complicated 4u, if its i apologise for this, kindly reply, thk u, bye.
Answer Dear Mac,
Yes, OCD thoughts are false. The anxiety you refer to in regards to your life's bad experiences such as being arrested, or failing an exam, or things which you did not accomplish are more in the category of ruminations. I know it can get confusing. What is happening to you is that you are focusing on regrets, and ruminations about the past. This is not an obsession although it can seem like it because you always think of it. Ruminations generally make sense to the person, while obsessions are usually experienced as nonsensical. And ruminations are very common in people with depression and anxiety. It's important to know the difference. The medication should help reduce both your obsessions and your ruminations.
