What if it's not ocd?

I know it may sound like reassurance seeking but it's actually a sincere question. During these days I've been struggling believing it's ocd and I've let my thoughts race a lot. I had to study for an exam but I wasn't able to concentrate very well. So my question is: if I try ERP but then it turns out it's not ocd, could I create some damage? I'm so afraid I will confuse myself even more. But the worst case scenario is that it won't work, and I'll change my approach to it... am I right? (I'm diagnosed, I've changed therapist recently, but I struggle to accept it truly is ocd)

yaya🧚🏽‍♀️

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y

I was convinced I had schizophrenia and not ocd. I’m doing erp for it. Us doubting that it’s not ocd probably means that it is because ocd makes you doubt everything!

citrusx

Date posted: 1y

@yaya🧚🏽‍♀️ I’m struggling with this so bad rn. Like how can this be OCD And not schiz/psychosis 😩 it sucks so bad

yaya🧚🏽‍♀️

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y

@citrusx I guess it’s very common! I’m still struggling but not like how used to. Do you wanna know what I’m working on in erp for it? So far it has been helping.

kickflip

Date posted: 1y

I struggle thinking about if I really have OCD, but that is just my OCD trying to trick me and make me stay in the compulsion cycle. I was honest with my therapist and got the OCD diagnosis. I have to accept that this is my diagnosis. It may not fully regress, but I have to accept that this is how it is.

Iwanttobreak...

Date posted: 1y

It's so annoying because when two years ago a therapist told me I didn't have ocd (because I didn't have physical compulsions/I wasn't afraid about germs etc - she wasn't an ocd expert of course), I was sure I had it. Now that I have a diagnosis, I don't believe it 🫠

kickflip

Date posted: 1y

@g🦋 I was diagnosed with my other two disorders 11 years ago. I had the OCD compulsions but the therapist I went to didn’t diagnose me. My therapist I have been with for 4 years referred me to NOCD because I was finally comfortable being honest about my compulsions and intrusive thoughts. Sometimes I think I’m making all of this up— manipulating others to make them think it is worse than it is. But that’s OCD! It’s trying to convince me to stay in this cycle because it does not want to go away. My compulsions provide short term relief. Breaking that cycle is hard, and I have to lean into KNOWING and trusting my therapist that she knows what she sees, hears, and is talking about. Your OCD will lie to you to doubt yourself.

Iwanttobreak...

Date posted: 1y

@kickflip You're right and it's true, we have to trust our therapists in the process. I still struggle with this, I think I'll speak about it with my therapist on the next session

Nica

Date posted: 1y

If you have been diagnosed by a professional then it is OCD. Just like what kickflip said.

Nicolas:)

Date posted: 1y

I was diagnoze by two terapist with and obssesive disoreder, they didn't call it OCD, cause I'm from south america, and maybe they haven't heard about pure O here, and they said that they couldn't call it OCD cause I didn't do any rituals but they said it was definetly and obssesion, but the fact that they didn't call it OCD makes me doubt the diagnosis

Nica

Date posted: 1y

@Nicolas:) You’ve already answered your question and concerns within the body paragraph you just sent me. You are seeking reassurance which isn’t good for you and your OCD. Let the thoughts, images, and feelings be present without judging or fighting them and go about your day. If you want, look into Nathan Peterson’s online PCD course that’s a one time fee. That might be helpful to you vs. what’s going on now.

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

i think its worth still trying erp, whole point is that its uncomfortable, its possible that it won't work but still worth trying for the 8 week recommended time

K1790

Date posted: 23w

Unsure if OCD sometimes

I was diagnosed with OCD around the age of 6, subtype- contamination primarily. It calmed down as I got older and I assumed it had gone away, but also didn’t realize it can show up in other ways, and it still had been effecting me which I know now. I’m not 31 and I’ve been in therapy for a year and it’s helped a lot, although I sometimes get thoughts that what if some of the stuff I’m dealing with isn’t ocd and I’m exaggerating. I feel like thoughts will feel sticky and I’ll do certain compulsions but then the thought eventually vanishes if I do it a few times which makes me think maybe it’s not OCD since other people/friends I know would probably do the exact same thing. Not sure if I’m making sense, but I guess my question is if that thought comes up with anyone else? Just being unsure if something you’re doing actually is ocd or not.

hbocd

Date posted: 23w

ERP Therapy

I read about ERP and have seen information about it on here. One of the goals is to say, "maybe I am this or that...ect." That terrified me. The thoughts and images that go in my head are disturbing and upsetting. I don't want to even think about saying, "maybe this or that." It's devasting to have these thoughts and question why you're having these thoughts. Doesn't the "maybe" make it worse? The one thing that helps me is that is to remind myself that these are just thoughts and I know I'm not a monster, even if I feel like one. Is ERP not for everyone? Has anyone else had a problem with the techniques used in this kind of therapy? I had cognitive therapy for years with an OCD specialist and that seemed to help a lot. Writing out the worst case scenarios would make me suicidal. Im having a difficult time not obsessing over the "maybe" after intrusive thoughts now. It doesn't make it better.

rightfulmcool

Date posted: 20w

Anyone else doubt that they do have OCD?

I'll start by saying, I have not been clinically diagnosed, as I do not have the funds to see therapists or psychiatrists in my current situation. Once I'm in a better spot, I very much intend to. That to say; after months and months of having issues with anxiety, specifically health related, my partner was the one that mentioned OCD. I did have some somewhat OCD related behaviors in my youth, though those likely could be explained by potentially undiagnosed ASD (as my mother is on the spectrum as well as a sibling, both diagnosed.) But I never considered OCD taking form in a health sense. I posted earlier about how I've had 4 days of pretty minimal anxiety and intrusive thoughts, and it has led me to doubt the OCD label I've been working at treating? I don't want to be the person that identifies themselves with a disorder they don't have, which is why I hesitate to self diagnose with OCD or ASD or anything else. At the same time, I've read that a lot of even clinically diagnosed people with OCD doubt their diagnosis. It makes me wonder if I will always have this doubt, and if that means it is worth it or not to get tested? I know that if I do, they can actually do ERP (whereas I've been self taught and self guided so far) so that would be worth it...

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