OCD/Paranoia on Vacation

Hey guys! I’m still fairly new to the NOCD community and my OCD diagnosis. It’s only been right at a month. I’m currently on a mini vacation with my wife. It’s been very much needed. The room we’re staying in has a gas fireplace. I chose this room specifically for that, but now I’m regretting it. I woke up about an hour ago to what sounded like a popcorn noise coming from it. There’s also been a steady noise coming from it where the pilot light is on. We haven’t turned it on since we’ve been in the room. I called the front desk to ask about it and they said they would let maintenance know we wanted it looked at today. I realize now that I did the thing with the front desk lady where I seek reassurance by asking “it should be safe, though, right?” Of course she said yes, but now I’m wide awake and can’t stop the thoughts that there might be a gas or carbon monoxide leak. I’m also scared to open the door now because of the thought of an explosion if there is a gas leak. I don’t smell a gas, so I shouldn’t be having these irrational thoughts. I hate that I am having them while on our vacation. What advice can you give a newbie in this situation?

Anonymous

Date posted: Yesterday

My sister had a house like that and when I found out about the pilot light thought the same thing. I thought all night we were going to die from the fumes. And when I found out it was normal for the light to stay on and bad when the light goes since that’s when it would be considered a gas leak I started having all the thoughts of how to save everyone if the light went out. I still to this day do not like staying in houses that have gas stoves/fireplaces. All I can say is that I’ve woken up the next morning each time. Which I know is reassurance but I don’t know how else to say it at this point. I also Went on vacation and rented a house on VRBO. The neighborhood didn’t feel as safe to me when we showed up during the day but my husband said it was fine. The neighbor next door had two boxer dogs in a very small pen that I started obsessing over that they were not being treated well and wanted to go over and set them free or talk to my husband about it or go talk to the owners. Later I saw the owners let them out and the dogs ran inside. Only then was I able to let that go since they were obviously loved. Then that night I started obsessing that we were not safe and kept asking my husband if he put his knife by the night stand. I just kept having thoughts of someone breaking in, that someone was watching us, that the door looks like it could be easily kicked in, if I fell asleep they would come in and watch us sleep. It was horrible. I now realize it was all the OCD and not reality especially since we woke the next morning safe and sound.

Shut_Up_Meg

Date posted: Yesterday

@Anonymous Thank you for your reply. Even just having someone else that’s also dealt with this helps. My wife is so supportive, but she doesn’t always know how to help. And it’s not her responsibility to. I keep wanting to get up and leave the room and I know that’s a compulsion, so I’m trying to at least wait until they start serving breakfast. I feel like it’s less of a compulsion then. Like I said, I’m very new to this and am still coping with it. So thank you for just listening/reading and giving what advice you can.

Amy B.

Date posted: 21h

I've had lots of obsessions around gas appliances over the years, those are really hard. I'm sorry it's ruining your sleep on your vacation. Hang in there ❤️

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