trying to get help

so i’ve been thinking for years that i might have ocd and i’m finally going to talk to a psychologist this month. but i have no experience with therapy at all and i’m terrible at describing how i feel in general. even when i was asked by the intake coordinator about my symptoms i had trouble articulating what i meant. it’s like as soon as someone asks me i have trouble remembering what i want to say and getting the words out. should i just make a list and read it when the time comes? i’ve also been worried because this psychologist does not specialize in ocd. she does have experience with erp and treats ocd but i’m still concerned that i won’t be understood. i’m starting to regret trying lol, can’t stop thinking about the what ifs. like what if i get misdiagnosed, or what if i’m wrong and it’s not ocd. i don’t think i would know what to do if it’s not, i’m stressed

tigechi

Date posted: Yesterday

For me, ocd hates novelty, regardless if it's "good" or "bad". Ocd is good at making it seem like any change is risky. But if I change nothing, then ocd gets to stay in charge. I dont want to believe ocd anymore. I'd rather build trust in the wise part of me that knows I can be happier. One step at a time. We dont have to have contingencies ready for every possible outcome. As we move forward, the next step becomes clearer. Thats my belief, anyway. 😃

intro.to

Date posted: Yesterday

@tigechi this makes sense, thank you

Tea and Honey

Date posted: 20h

I'm going to copy and paste something I just wrote a few seconds ago to someone on the app. I think it might help. It is VITAL to get the right kind of treatment is crucial for OCD. A lot of therapies out there don't work. I would give your therapist a 50-50 chance of being able to help you. If she truly doesn't understand, she might only be able to give you minimal good advice.

intro.to

Date posted: 12h

@Tea and Honey should i look for someone else then? i haven’t even spoken to her at all yet so i feel like i should at least try but i’m nervous…

Tea and Honey

Date posted: 11h

@intro.to It's up to you. It doesn't hurt to try. If you feel like it's not working or she doesn't understand, then don't feel bad about going somewhere else with someone who really understands OCD and ERP. There's really good treatment out there. You just have to get to the right place. but it's totally fine to try out the place where you're going and see how it works for you :):)

intro.to

Date posted: 10h

@Tea and Honey i will keep this in mind, thank you :)

Tea and Honey

Date posted: 20h

OCD is actually treatable!! It responds to therapy. But it has to be the right kind of therapy. And a lot of therapies out there do not work at all. ERP therapy is the key. It is well- researched and very effective. Sometimes it can be hard to find a therapist who does ERP in your area. So I would recommend two that I know are VERY GOOD. One is Nathan Peterson. He has an online course where you can learn ERP therapy on your own. It will take you through treatment step-by-step so you can learn to manage the OCD. Here's a link: https://www.ocd-anxiety.com/ Nathan Peterson also has a lot of helpful videos on YouTube. These go over a lot of common themes that people struggle with. The other resource I highly recommend is NOCD. I have used them twice. All their therapists are trained in ERP therapy, and they are very good. All the sessions are over zoom, and it's very easy to communicate with them through texting or email. They're very friendly and get back quickly. They take most insurance. So it was just a co-pay for me for every session . Keep me posted on your journey !!!! Sometimes it can take a while to find the right treatment. But if you do get into the right treatment, it can be very effective, and it can turn your life around. You can get to the point where you are doing all the things that you want to do in life :):)

Tea and Honey

Date posted: 20h

@Tea and Honey I think it is just fine to try out your current therapist. And don't worry about talking to them. Everything you say is confidential, and they are not allowed to share it with anyone. But if you find that the therapy is not working, I would try something else (like the ones I suggested above). If you get into a good ERP therapy, you will make improvements for sure. It will take time, and it will take a A LOT OF WORK, but you will get better and better:):):)

Tea and Honey

Date posted: 20h

@Tea and Honey FYI, if you are worried about misdiagnosis, NOCD is awesome about giving good OCD diagnoses. I think I was diagnosed within one or two sessions. So the process was very easy and clear.:)

moon0270

Date posted: 25w

Psychiatrist

Therapist put it on the table that I should see a psychiatrist that she recommends. I felt relief because maybe the psychiatrist can tell me what's wrong and the plan going forward but im scared because what if my symptoms vanish or i miraculously get better (i doubt it) then what if i've been making a mountain of a mole hill. Or what if i dont know how to express myself. im obviously not scared of getting better, but i just don't want to seem like im making people scramble to treat me and then it turns out theres nothing wrong. like what if i don't have OCD and im just making all this stuff up in my head. what if i just want something to stress about

thesunwillco...

Date posted: 25w

diagnosis

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.

idolent

Date posted: 19w

i think i have OCD, but my gf disagrees (rant?)

i’ve thought that i have OCD for about 2 years now, but i’ve had a lot of the symptoms for as long as i can remember (but i don’t really remember a lot of my childhood- i need to check w family to confirm). i’ve talked to my gf about it, and she thinks i just have GAD and am a hypochondriac. i definitely do have GAD, but the things i have obsessions and compulsions ab aren’t just health related (even tho a lot are), ill imagine that people are injured or dead if i don’t hear from them, i ruminate on childhood events and think about if i could have changed things, i blame myself for things that aren’t my fault, i check all of the locks in my house every night to make sure nobody can break in (even tho ik they’re locked), etc. my GAD more shows up in worrying about like worrying about an upcoming exam or about going into work, or that my friends/family/gf are/is mad at me. i know you guys can’t diagnose me, but the i can’t see a therapist on here until i am able to tell my current therapist that i need to see someone else. i just wanted to talk about it i guess, ive taken so many online quizzes and psych classes that i feel like i somewhat know what im talking about.

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