- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
Somatic OCD and Health Anxiety
TW: discussion of heart disease and heart-related content Ugh. I was doing SO well with my somatic OCD, and then BAM, yesterday it hit me after I was triggered during a discussion with my Psych NP. We were discussing my medications and are decreasing the dose of my SSRI, because supratherapeutic doses carry an increased risk for QT interval elongation and arrhythmias. My dad has no structural heart disease, but does see a cardiologist for management of PVCs. I’m in the medical field, so I know there is often a familial or genetic component to heart diseases. One of my OCD themes has ALWAYS been somatic. I have immense health anxiety whenever I experience a physical symptom. After exercise or drinking too much coffee, for example, when my heart rate goes up, I dislike the physical sensation, and worry I’m having an arrhythmia. My compulsion has long been to check my pulse to make sure I’m not. I also do a lot of reassurance seeking online, and mental compulsions. I’ve been doing a great job lately not doing these things, but became so distressed after my conversation with my provider, that I gave in to some research and checking my pulse. The rest of the day, I utilized the SOS feature successfully! Today I have been successfully not engaging in compulsions, but am feeling very anxious. It’s frustrating that the OCD convinces you it is an actual medical problem, and ignoring it could damage your health… but it’s more complex because I have a family history! I do have my annual physical coming up next week where they usually do an EKG. So trying to remember to leave it to the professionals. But words of encouragement or motivation are welcomed, because it’s so hard on days like today. Thanks and keep working hard everyone!