Going to doctors tomorrow, how to hint

Last post promise !! Ahh there's too much going on, I don't plan to post this frequently after all of this stressful phase is out- I'll normally just post once a few days, but with this one I may need some actual help because it could end up helping me long term . <:") I'm going to an appointment tomorrow as in a follow up for something, nothing (!!) related to mental health and stuff like that because currently that isn't a concern to anyone besides me. But there's times where I ask to talk to the doctors alone so I can express concerns on how I'm feeling mentally as well.. Thing is that I'm not diagnosed with anything officialy. You may have heard this from me a couple of times now but I want to mention it again. Yes there's been high concerns expressed with issues and with OCD it's so painfully obvious and have been suspecting for a longgg time, by both me and doctors + few others. Nontheless I can't just say "Yeah my OCDs been stressing me out" I don't want the doctors to think I'm already diagnosed but at the same time I hate sort of saying my symptoms and then having to work out the conversation until the doctor tells me "Yeah, just letting you know those are some major OCD tendencies" believing that I'm a beginner to these symptoms and give me advice that I already know... most progress I get to is second base. T^T that's it. I just really want to get diagnosed now or get some sort of help I need and I'm SO close to just get to that point.. Any advice on how to be straightforward with doctors with these things while getting progress? What do you guys say ? Also how could I tell the doctors that I have been feeling stressed/not okay for a long time and get the help I need without causing further concerns ?

777Q

Date posted: 23h

Personally when I go to any type of doctor I prepare in advance and limit myself to only 3 very specific questions/concerns and leave it at that .

VVbee

Date posted: 19h

Ok, thanks for the advice ! 🙇‍♀️ what questions do you normally ask ?

777Q

Date posted: 18h

@VVbee I tailor the questions based on the particular doctor specialist that I am seeing .

Kai on the Wall

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 22h

So I got diagnosed by my pediatrician, and all I did was come to the appointment and tell them I've been experiencing symptoms of what looks like OCD for [X] years, and they've been interfering with my life in [X] ways. I described my symptoms (perfectionism, checking, etc.) and talked about how I've had different themes over time. They took what I said at face value, diagnosed me with OCD, and recommended I check out NOCD (and I've been here since!). I said I wasn't interested in medication, but they told me to follow up if that ever changes. Primary care physicians are usually able to diagnose straightforward conditions like OCD, and if they can't, they will refer you out to someone who can. I thought it would be much harder than that and I would have to be referred to a psychiatrist, but that is often not the case! So I think it is worth being candid with your healthcare provider and outright saying that your symptoms seem to resemble OCD and you would like to get help -- there are less fears around dishonesty (due to drug seeking) when it comes to obsessive-compulsive and anxiety-based disorders, so there is less reason for them to doubt you or to think you have ulterior motives.

VVbee

Date posted: 19h

Never done it that way, as said I would normally just start listing off symptoms I experienced and say things such as: "I don't know why but I do (x) and it's sort of been happening since I was (x) years old" and just continue acting a bit clueless until I get the correct wording from them and I'm like "Aha ! Yeah OCD.. likely what it is. (Was 100% clueless and that was not what I was expecting to hear... sarcasm obvi) and by the time we get to that point it ends the same. Me saying I don't think I have anything else to say, hoping for the next step, and them coming to the conclusion saying that if more happens I can just talk to them again- but then next time it's a different doctor and the cycle resets. So I think the just being honest option + saying the symptoms resemble OCD (without flat-out saying it is so they understand I'm not diagnosed yet) is definitely the smartest option and I will try that out tomorrow. Thank you so much !! ^.^

Kai on the Wall

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 19h

@VVbee No problem! To be honest, I also act clueless when it comes to other conditions, since I'm afraid it'll just look like I'm following a trend, but I feel like OCD is different. Hope you get a more productive outcome this time (๑•᎑•๑)

JessieJoy

Date posted: 17h

Yeah, being a therapist and previously having worked in a pediatrician office, also having OCD myself so I get it, just be honest and straightforward. No need to waste time and energy beating around the bush. Most providers will listen and appreciate you being up front -less for them to try to figure out from scratch when you already knowa lot. Probably the anxiety / OCD making you overthink and second guess this, worrying what you say will be taken the wrong way somehow. You don't have to try to control the outcome of the conversation. Don't need to try to control how they could possibly misunderstand or misinterpret. You can't predict that or prevent it if it happens but there's really no reason to think it will go wrong except anxiety OCD telling you that it could. Again I totally get it and have definitely done a lot of worrying about how someone will take what I say and trying to control it. But thats just a lot of work and stress for no reason. Good luck

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