Posted by mike. on 17/8/2008, 11:19 pm, in reply to "recovery?"

YES. I went from a state of 95% worry, to now 99.5% free of worry. Ironically the idea of a "complete" recovery is a mind game in itself..(you HAVE to have COMPLETE recovery..) this is part of the mild OCD component of the condition. In a pub today ..I just used the cubical...it felt a little uncomfortable so i used the cubical and locked the door,, but I DO NOT CARE ANY MORE about what someone may think. THIS is true recovery....not striding up to a urinal and being able to pee 100%...ALWAYS 100% of the time. I got to this stage by systematic desensitisation, washing hands only in toilets..and then moving up the scale. (it WAS tricky to do at the time but for 1hr of this practice gives you a year of your life back.) there is no other way, (acupuncture..no, alexander technique..no,hypnosis..save your money! ..etc,etc,etc..this is only AVOIDANCE),,you have to face your fears though action. You have to retrain (Hardwire) the caveman part of your brain...only ACTION.. will do that) All this I learnt from this board many years ago .Thx guys..Thx Andy!

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