Just want to vent a little

I had been doing therapy through NOCD for about 3 weeks when I heard that my therapist was resigning from the app. It was stressful at the time, but I stayed with her for the next few weeks until she left because I figured I was going to have to start over and explain the whole situation to a new person anyway, but in the meantime I could learn as little or as much as I could to help myself in the short term. Well, I’ve switched over to a new therapist and had one appointment. She’s fine and she’s just trying to figure out what’s going on for herself, but it all feels kind of triggering because she was potentially interpreting some things differently than the first therapist. My major theme is SOOCD, and she actually said of everything I have going on, that’s most obviously OCD, but some of my other challenges might be more influenced by social anxiety. It was only one appointment, and we’ll have more opportunity to talk more but I’m just frustrated with how for right now it feels like maybe I don’t actually understand what’s going on for me to the extent I did before. OCD is also taking this as an opportunity to really bug me and make me feel like it’s not SOOCD, and I’m just in denial. There’s no one else I can really talk to about this right now. 😞

Anonymous

Date posted: 2y

Give your new therapist a chance. Write down some key points you want to mention or clarify with her. Like this. Initially I started treatment because... My biggest concern right now is... Lately I've been feeling... I'm hoping you can help me by... Note, what you write doesn't have to be any of what I wrote, it's just an example. Just try to get some points that are important to you on paper before a session and remember that you don't have to have it all figured out in one, two, or three goes. It will take a little time to get comfortable with your new therapist. And you know what, if happen to not vibe well with her, you can request another. I know this sounds tedious or disappointing but you will find someone who gets you. Be patient with yourself, you'll get there.

doinghardthings

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Anonymous Thank you! I appreciate your thoughts. Right now I’m just anxious to have my next appointment so I have a chance to talk some more.

Anonymous

Date posted: 2y

Yes, it's hard when you know that everything is technically OK, but the feeling of something being wrong is so overwhelming. Feelings can be crippling and confusing, for me at least. Try journaling, it helps me a lot. Have you ever tried Energy: Anti Stress app? Or head space? Do whatever you can in a healthy way to keep yourself as calm as possible. You can also keep chatting with us here of course :]

doinghardthings

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Anonymous Thank you! ☺️

thrutheweather

Date posted: 2y

A lot of feelings overlap with OCD, GAD & social anxiety. It doesn’t invalidate your OCD. Try to tell yourself ‘maybe, maybe not’. Ask your therapist next session and discuss what you were previously told and ask them to explain why they think that and to break it down. Like the other commenter mentioned you can request a new therapist if you’re not happy but I’d recommend that you don’t do that until you address your concerns or issues or it’ll become a habit to avoid ‘confrontational’ or uncomfortable situations.

doinghardthings

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@thrutheweather Definitely I mean I know everything I’m feeling is just a function of anxiety. I’m not making any judgments about the new therapist yet but the reality of the situation was triggering I guess, and it just sucks. I know it’s unrealistic to feel good all of the time. For right now I just feel bad almost all of the time. I’m committed to the process, but it’s frustrating that someone else’s choices are complicating things but that’s life. It’s like I have the ability to process all of this logically, but mental illness makes it just feel bad and that there’s something wrong, which is the point and IF I needed proof that there’s not something wrong with me, rather I have an anxiety disorder then there you go. 🤷🏻‍♀️

thrutheweather

Date posted: 2y

@doinghardthings You’ve identified a trigger at least! Maybe it’s something you could practice some ERP with.

Huskydog

Date posted: 22w

I have a question.

I had my second session with a therapist and they told me they don’t think I have OCD. They think that I have just intrusive thoughts. They also said they don’t do diagnosis. I also noticed they did not ask me questions about my different themes.This has made me so confused. Even though I had a terrible fear that a therapist will tell that I don’t have it, (which is the main reason why I had not gone to one) I did suspect I had it because I identify with many of the symptoms. On the website it says that they treat it but I don’t think they are like a specialist. On the first session they described OCD mainly as needing to have things symmetrical and fear of contamination. I have a feeling that they don’t know much about it. I also didn’t mentioned all the themes I think I have because I’m scared to be misunderstood. I am not sure what to do. I can’t afford seeing an OCD therapist at NOCD. Can anyone give an insight, has something similar happened to you? Thank you!

annabanana248

Date posted: 21w

In limbo between therapists and feeling discouraged

I've been in and out of talk therapy for OCD-related issues for years, but it hasn't been effective long-term. I am struggling with body image / eating disorder adjacent obsessions and I am really hopeful that ERP might actually give me some relief. I had my first session with my NOCD therapist a few weeks ago. It felt like a good match and I was ready to unpack my obsessions and compulsions to try ERP for the first time. The day of my second session she canceled due to personal illness. Then this happened a second time. Yesterday all of my future booked sessions were canceled without explanation. I went to schedule with a new therapist and the ones that seemed could be a good fit are filled up until at least early April. I booked a slot and sent the therapist a message letting her know I would be interested in starting sooner if a slot opened up. I am just disappointed. I could just meet with another therapist who has earlier availability, but it's most important to me that the therapist be a good fit since I've been through therapy so many times. I feel like I'm in limbo until I have an ERP plan set up and I'm not sure how to move forward in the meantime. I'm planning try out a support group but I need a personalized exposure plan and I'm not sure if that's something I should just try to set up myself? Anyone have something similar happen to them? Any thoughts or advice would be helpful.

Anonymouus

Date posted: 11w

wanting to fire my OCD therapist

A couple of weeks ago I went through a breakup and was mental reviewing and ruminating the entire relationship. My therapist asked me if we can’t talk about and focus on the OCD treatment (my main themes). I am surprised that my therapist did not recognize that this new situation in my life is turning into another one of my obsession. And the constant talking about it is ruminating and my inability to sit with uncertainly and discomfort of the breakup (ROCD) is OCD and thus needs to be worked on. I am really beginning to question how much he understands OCD and I’m surprised that as the client I have to educate him on it. I have been working with him for many months and I don’t think I’m making process. I’m also having a hard time connecting with him. I want to terminate. I can’t do this. Also in terms of my main theme, I also had to teach him that to some degree. He also doesn’t know terms like “mental review” or “ROCD”. Like the words we all associate with when it comes to OCD. I’m getting not so good vibes. How do I leave?!?

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