Any tips or advice? I’ve reached a mental hurdle I can’t get past. I’m struggling to see a way past this, and whether this is OCD but it’s the first thing I think about when I wake up, I’m constantly searching for something to make me feel better. The latest obsession has become OCD itself. The waitlists for therapy here are quite long (I’m on them) or I could pay a lot to see someone privately. I’m taking medication too. I’ve watched all the videos and read loads-but I guess I’m looking for advice as to where to go from here? How can I get some relief? I want to feel normal again!! (Just as an FYI-if you haven’t already guessed lol- I’m particularly suffering from rOCD but any tips would be great)

I'm exactly in the same situation than you. I'm afraid of panic attacks too cause I've had a few recently and I definitely don't feel like myself at all. I'm not even on a waiting list (UK) I'm still waiting to do an assessment!! It's horrible to be struggling so much and having no freaking help!! So I simpathise.

I’m in the UK too. I’ve reached the point of contacting clinics/specialists in the US because I don’t know what else to do. All I want is someone to tell me what I’m experiencing is definitely rOCD (I’m self-diagnosing thus far). The GP is useless too. I had an assessment recently and they made me do a generic OCD quiz (not pure O based) and although I scored as potentially suffering with OCD she didn’t sound convinced as my compulsions are purely mental. It’s tough right?

It is and I'm sorry you're feeling so unwell. Last night I had to go to a overnight mental health crisis hospital where they help you cope cause I was in such a bad state the ambulance guys didn't think I could stay home. It ducks to think that in order to get help one just be at the verge of collapsing in to a crisis or in a crisis in order to get help with mental health. It's really depressing but I'm here wondering what can we do? Other than wait. I'm not on medication either which is even worse. Be good to yourself btw. Easier said than done but don't engage in researching online, wait until you actually have a diagnosis!

Is there any reason you aren’t on medication? (Feel free not to answer). I’m sorry you’re struggling that much too. A month or so ago I was panicking and anxious, I could think of anything else but now i feel sort of nothing. There’s a sort of mental block I can’t get passed. But thank you, I’m trying but I really just wanna feel normal again. Thank you for replying

Same here! I feel numb? Sort of? My panic comes from focusing too much on my breathing and having thoughts that my heart is about to stop. I'm not on medication no, go prescribed sertraline but again, my obsessions are so health related atm that even the idea of taking meds terrifies me (side effects, etc)

Yeah same here. I’m not feeling as anxious anymore and my brain is using that as a weapon- ‘you’re not anxious so you don’t care’. And I know it’s hard to listen to but I really really didn’t want to take meds but I had to give in because I was so bad. They’ve really helped so it might be worth considering. I also work in the NHS so talking on a professional level- they’d never prescribe you something that would hurt you. You could also try propranolol (it helps panic attacks) and you take it as and when you need it rather than daily.

Thank you so much for the advice. I know exact what you mean! Seriously, it's like exactly how I was feeling last night laying in bed I was thinking, wait...I'm noticing my breathing and I'm not anxious, I'm waaaaay to calm, this means that I'm about to die and boooom panic attack because for my brain, feeling relaxed and sleepy equals = bad. Ugh OCD can be such a pain in the ass. I do take propranolol btw when I needed and if it gets too much to handle ? Just remember OCD latches on to things you care about, so if it's telling you that you don't care cause you're not anxious then actually, you care more than you imagine, that's why it wants you to react to that thought so you can then engage in compulsions. It's a cheeky illness!

It sucks! I’ve reached the point of doubting I even have it- annoying! Haha. It’s been great to talk to you though. I hope you start feeling better soon- you definitely sound like you deserve a break to relax. Just remember it’s ok to worry, accept the thoughts- maybe even accept the fear ‘hmm I feel like I might die & that’s ok’ (I know how hard that’ll be though). I’m always here to if you’re struggling! :)