Struggling to separate my identity from my OCD diagnosis. Is this common?

I can’t separate the ocd from myself

Hi all, I’ve just very recently gotten diagnosed. A month ago, I barely even knew what ocd was, and I’d thought my whole life that I was just strange. It’s now starting to feel like the more I learn about this disorder the more it seems like every single aspect of me is ocd; I’ve even been doing mental compulsions as early as 7 years old and I don’t know or remember what it’s like to be “normal”. Does anyone else struggle with this? Not being able to identify a “self” outside of the disorder?

OCD newbies

Username: strugglesstruggles

Date posted: 35w ago

Yes I can relate 100%. It's truly the most painful thing I've ever been through.

Username: Bondgirl#88Bondgirl#88

Date posted: 35w ago

Honestly yes, I deeply relate to you with all these mental compulsions I feel like I can’t remember being someone without the disorder because I’ve had it for so long. And then it makes me think is this actually me or the impact of OCD controlling me. I feel like it’s so hard to just be my authentic self when I’m anxious with OCD mannerisms 24/7. You’re definitely not alone, and honestly having a connection with God is what helps me define who I am and know it’s not the real me. Hope this makes sense

Username: strugglesstruggles

Date posted: 35w ago

Am still going through

Username: CatWhiskersCatWhiskers

Date posted: 35w ago

Yeah. Exactly this. I'm not diagnosed yet, and I can't see an OCD specialist, but the more I learn about it the more I realize that ( what you said, that it just feels like what it is for me, and I don't know how to be "normal") I don't really know how to deal with it yet. It's hard. And I have been suffering so much over the past few weeks. I wish the best for all of us going through this

Username: Wolfram Wolfram

Date posted: 35w ago

Yep, was doing the same from the she of 6. Only got diagnosed last year at the age of 33. Trying to reach a state of "normality" when you don't even remember what it was like or haven't experienced it as an adult is difficult. You have a goal and it's hard to know when you reach it. It takes time. It's a journey of self discovery and a second chance to be reborn in a way. For the longest time I hated that ocd took away what I could've been. I literally served a life sentence in an mental ocd prison. But it did offer me a chance to become something and someone I otherwise couldn't have been and I'm grateful for that.

Username: Terrie Browning

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 4y ago

Hi NOCD users, I wondered if anyone is having difficulty separating yourself from your symptoms? We talk about this often during therapy sessions and within the ERP program. I understand that when you are dealing with these strong obsessive/intrusive, unwanted thoughts and images, it feels like it is a part of you! It is not a part you like or want. So many clients have shared how much they wish they could stop and how it feels like the OCD obsessive thoughts and compulsions are taking over their lives. They don’t feel like themselves anymore. This creates quite a dichotomy because what they believe can be the opposite of what they are thinking. How confusing this must feel! To believe in something so strongly and have your mind be telling you that you are the opposite in your thoughts. It can make you question who are are! This isn’t good for your self esteem/self worth. How much you like yourself and how valuable you feel as a person. Decreasing OCD obsessive thinking and compulsive actions is going to make you feel better. Staying true to who you are, not allowing the OCD symptoms get in the way of who you are inside. Challenge yourself to separate your “self” - who you really are including all of your beliefs - separate that true person from your OCD symptoms - they are just a thought and they are not real or factual. Let us help you separate yourself from these OCD symptoms, let us help you separate your true self from the uncertain thoughts. They are just that, uncertain. Learn to be more comfortable in uncertainty. We here at NOCD understand the pain this gives you and can help you by teaching you the first line treatment skills of ERP! If that sounds familiar to you, I hope this suggestion will help.

Username: Tanaya

Date posted: 3y ago

I feel like no one knows the real me, I dont even know the real me anymore. OCD has been my identity for so long I always wonder who the f would I be without it. My thoughts and opinions change so rapidly I dont know if their my own anymore. My moods and emotions are so up and down I'm wondering what's the real way that I feel. Have I just been lying all my life.

Username: lets_be_happy

Date posted: 2y ago

Does anyone feel like their mental health challenges have become their identity? And if you have and overcame it, what was it that really helped you? Lately I’ve felt that that’s what I’ve been feeling since I was diagnosed with OCD and depression 2 and 1/2 years ago. And I think that was part of my processing phase, so I won’t say I was wrong for that. And that phase for sure can vary between people. But I’m just wondering if it’s time for me to step out of that thinking now 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Struggling to separate my identity from my OCD diagnosis. Is this common?

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