Looking for advice in coping with ocd

So i have ocd, done everything from turning lights on and off, having to do things a certain number of times, etc, its a lot of stuff, but writting about that isnt the point.

Whenever im with people its always controlled, and so being with people sometimes gives me a lot of peace, since the compulsions and intrusive thoughts usually dont even appear at all, if they do i do an excellent job of controlling them because im too embarassed to actually carry out a compulsion and the fact im with someone, even if we arent talking helps me not dwell in the thoughts, its when im alone that they are a problem.

Most of the compulsions dont give me that much stress, they are an annoyance that i must carry out in order to stop some thoughts. Now the thoughts themselves are what give me a lot of stress, I think about ilnesses like cancer (i smoke and i think this contributes to that), about tragic things. sometimes its not even about compulsions, the thoughts are just there and its really hard to make them go away, lately they have been getting even more out of control (i have waves).

Im looking for any advice or tips on stopping the thoughts and the stress they cause, any help is really apreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Hi Dude -

Have you been diagnosed with OCD by a doctor. I have never heard of people losing their OCD when they are around people, but maybe it's just a matter of taking your awareness away from your thoughts.

Home remedies are varied and usually best create by the person who is suffering, because they know best. But I have never heard of someone controlling OCD by their own means. By the time it becomes true OCD it is beyond a persons ability to control it, and they certainly wouldn't post here if they were living comfortably with it, so...

...I would see a doc. Not just because of what is happening now, but because it could get worse. having a third party professional to bounce things off of, would help methinks.

good luck - Otter.