Hi, what's everyone's views on self diagnosis. If a professional option is not available is it ok to self diagnose or is just best to be open minded and not being sure with what the illness is. Thanks
I personally don’t like self diagnosis at all because at the end of the day you aren’t a professional and what you think your symptoms are for any health condition really physical or mental could be something else entirely. That being said I understand that getting a diagnosis is a privilege for a lot of people as well, so I think if you want to say I have OCD type symptoms or I think I may have OCD but I’m not sure then thats fine but I overall don’t think it’s a good idea to self diagnosis for any medical condition, because again you aren’t a professional and there are a lot of conditions both physical and mental that can mimic each other. If you can’t get a diagnosis then I would focus on coping with the symptoms that you are experiencing and working on coping with those because you don’t need a diagnosis to work with your symptoms
How would you say Is the best way to work on the symptoms
@Chris85Floki I recommend things like support groups to everyone because support groups are almost always free. If you’re experiencing a lot of anxiety then I recommend finding grounding techniques that work for you whether that’s traditional grounding (think find one of each of the 5 senses), breathing exercises, starting to take note of where you feel anxiety and tension in your body and noting how you know your anxious can be helpful for some people and then practicing those techniques when you aren’t anxious regularly as well so they start to become like second nature. Some people like journaling, I’m someone who really needs a routine in the morning and evening to help me calm down a little bit and keep myself on track so if you need that work on that, there are a lot of things that you can do on your own you just have to figure out what works for you. If you can obviously see a professional but if you can’t that can be a good place to start to help the anxiety in general. I don’t do erp because for me personally it’s never worked for me, but if you try that on your own you have to go slow and take baby steps if you throw yourself in to deep to fast you’ll do more harm than good.
Sigh. I wish everyone had healthcare. On the other hand, OCD can go undiagnosed for years, so… not all providers understand what they’re seeing. You know yourself better than anyone. If OCD seems to fit, if other people with OCD think you have it, you probably do. Professional guidance is helpful and validating but you can figure a lot out on your own—there are good books/workbooks/podcasts out there. Find what works for you. For me, it was most important to believe that it was possible to make a change and to practice self-compassion. Wishing you the best.
In in the UK and the NHS is free but there mental health is awfull, basically you just get told you have anxiety and put on sertaline
If you can't afford a diagnosis, I don't have anything against self-diagnosing. A diagnosis is just a label on symptoms you're living with. Not having one doesn't change what you're going through, although it might change how you treat it. I personally don't have an issue with it, but I think it's beneficial to seek a diagnosis if it's available to you! :)
Hi, so can I do erp alone without a diagnosis
@Chris85Floki Technically, yes. But it's usually recommended to work alongside a professional when doing ERP. It can be a lot on a person.
@nae nae Does the number of thoughts you get matter in OCD? And are some thoughts (that may be related to your theme) easier to let go than others?
@serenity_1 OCD is definitely a spectrum. Some people experience more symptoms or thoughts than others or to a more debilitating degree, but it's all treated the same way (ERP). I do think some thoughts (for me, at least) are easier to let go than others. "Taboo" OCD themed intrusive thoughts or anything that targets morals has usually been the hardest for me to move past. If you're just beginning your OCD journey, NOCD has good articles on their website! Nathan Peterson on YouTube is also REALLY helpful, especially with tips for managing every theme. The IOCDF has information, too.
I've never been diagnosed with OCD, but have thought for a long time that I do have it. I've tried to bring it up in therapy but have been shot down as "OCD tendencies". Luckily I'm with a new therapist and am planning to bring it up again. Especially after reading a lot of your posts, I'm really resonating with them. Especially my anxieties and obsessions with my health. God forbid I feel any weird pain or ache, I instantly think I'm dying. Sometimes I get a weird pain in my head and think it's a stroke or aneurysm. Ill go as far as the perform the stroke FAST test. This happens multiple times a day. I also have HUGE anxieties about death and my mortality. If I think about it too much, I get this deep cold pit in my stomach and spiral. Even talking about it causes me sooo much distress. I'm just worried I'll be dismissed or told I'm just self diagnosing because I related to a post online. But if any of this sounds accurate, please let me know. I'd love to be reassured of my obsessions rather than just dismissed as being anxious.
i’m terrified to get a diagnosis. What if it’s not actually OCD??? I made a list of reasons why i think so and then i think what if im lying and i actually don’t do this stuff and am just dramatic and i just want to have OCD so then my thoughts are justified?? I have struggled in the past year with Pocd & Rocd and then also some bits of thinking im constantly in danger or being watched? I’m scared.
I finally found the courage to seek a psychiatrist last week, when I got there I was nervous for obvious reasons and felt a bit guilty. I met the doctor and don’t get me wrong he was very nice and knowledgeable in the bigger scope of mental health. Asked me questions of depression, anxiety, if I see things others don’t etc.. However, while we went through the assessment I did not receive a formal “diagnosis” and seemed as though he came to the determination what I have is general anxiety disorder. I don’t disagree, I know I have anxiety! However, when it came to the point where we were wrapping it up I had a “BUT WAIT” moment. I explained I was a part of an OCD community where I had previously been doing therapy to manage OCD. He asked “well why OCD?” I replied, “I have constant thoughts very repetitive thoughts that follow a theme and they are extremely persistent.” It was then I knew I couldn’t let down the walls and go into depth, as I knew he wouldn’t understand. To validate what I already knew, I said “I have constant fears and worries about my children, myself, and religion. I think about these things all day long. In order to free myself from the feeling I have to say a specific phrase or word in my head.” He said “well yea that’s normal to have worries and fears about your family, your religion” and so forth. The feeling of disappointment is an under statement, this is more than just “anxiety” this is something that I struggle with daily and to have a professional discredit my daily fight was off putting. Not his fault, it demonstrates the lack of knowledge for OCD and treatment many of us have to face. Sorry for the rant, sometimes we just have to advocate for ourselves.. 🌸
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