Seeking therapy without parents knowing

I have never been diagnosed with OCD, but I experience a handful of the same, intrusive thoughts regarding who I am and what I offer to the world, and things with my boyfriend. I have been seeking therapy through the university I go to which has been helpful, but my therapist is treating me with only anxiety in mind, which is why I think it’s effects are not longer. During the summer, I cannot use my universities counseling resources, and have been doing digging through this app to help me consider my options for when I need therapy. However, I am still under my parents health insurance. My parents know that I go to counseling, but they do not know that I believe I have OCD symptoms. It is also difficult because I believe that my parents were a huge influence on these symptoms. If anyone has any advice as to how I should go about this with my parents if I were to use this app as a resource for therapy.

GregJ

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

Hi! A couple of years ago I was dealing with the exact same thing. My parents didn’t know I was dealing with OCD either and I was afraid to tell them. Do you think your parents would react okay if you were to tell them and explain what is going on? Or maybe tell them you would like to continue counseling sessions in the summer like you have been doing at school. Trust me I know it can be awkward or scary to tell your parents. But I’m sure they want the best for you. Try looking up online articles about similar OCD experiences you are going through and sharing the articles with your parents. A good resource for me in the beginning was Ali Greymond on YouTube. She has some good videos on practicing ERP and just explaining OCD in general.

Reggie0205

Date posted: 2y

@Greg2 Thank you so much. It is terrifying for me to tell my parents that I think it’s more than just anxiety. I’ll be sure to do some more internet searching. Again, thank you. This is so helpful and it means a lot to me.

GregJ

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Reggie0205 No problem. I am really sorry you are going through this. I know how hard and lonely it can feel dealing with alone and not feeling like you can talk to other people about this. But this whole community understands exactly what you are going through. If you ever need someone to talk to just reach out.

Anonymous

User type: Staff

Date posted: 2y

I feel for you. If you were in a position to pay cash (I assume you are 18 or older because of university) you could seek treatment that way without using the insurance. My other thoughts are that OCD is so misunderstood, there are ways that they can be educated on what it is more so that maybe they will have a better understanding. I will attach an article. But you can also have them attend a NOCD educational session to learn more. They would just need to call and schedule an appt. As a parent- I would hope that my own c children would come to me with anything and that we could find a way to do what is best for them, I would want to understand and help them to get the best possible treatment- that being said, I know that that is not always the case.https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/talking-to-your-loved-ones-who-dont-understand-mental-health I wish you so much goodness and hope that you are able to get the treatment that is right for you and what you are experiencing. IOCDF is a great resource as well- they offer some support groups.

Huskydog

Date posted: 21w

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!

Adi7

Date posted: 17w

Advice please ❤️

Hi ❤️ I’m really struggling right now I’m in my sophomore year of Highschool and I’ve finally started planning or thinking abt my future (for context I was extremely depressed and suicidal from 6-9th grade) After conquering my depression this is a huge leap for me and I’m proud of myself ❤️ But there’s something still holding me down :( and I’m not sure what to do anymore that thing is OCD. Since 6th grade I have had strong and invasive intrusive thoughts all the time they scare me so bad and make me feel as though I’m not even real anymore :( I’m sick of taking the time to do ridiculous compulsions to rid or ease these thoughts it’s a waste of time and energy and it hurts me so bad I feel like I will never get to just live my life without this :( How can I plan my future when I can’t even find myself in this mess of anxiety 💔 I’m so tired of fighting my mental health it’s been years from anxiety attacks to sh to survived suicide attempts (I got help dw❤️‍🩹) and recovery there. Just to be thrown into a storm of awful scary sickening thoughts day and night-when can I just be a normal teenager and possibly a happy adult? How do I conquer this so I can love myself to the fullest and live my life free and happy? :( ❤️❤️‍🩹 I’m so scared to talk to my parents about it I’m ashamed of my thoughts and every time I bring it up they just say I shouldn’t be diagnosing myself or it’s just ADHD. It really really hurts me they have no idea how awful this feels and it makes me feel so alone sometimes 💔

mysticalmads

Date posted: 12w

Advice on getting help

Hi I’m currently undiagnosed but am so sick of the way I’m living that I’ve decided I seriously need to get help. I need advice on 1. How to tell my parents that I need help and 2. The process. The first part is hard because a couple years ago I talked to my mom about having OCD but she brushed it off and said “everyone has anxiety” so I just never brought it up again. I’m also a bit ashamed for some reason, I don’t know why, to bring it up to them and I feel scared. For the second part what’s the process of getting diagnosed and getting medication and therapy. Where do I get diagnosed and do I have to start therapy before getting medicated? Thanks so much for the help.

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Seeking therapy without parents knowing

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