- Date posted
- 21h
Struggling to get diagnosed
So I've been pretty sure I have OCD for about a half a year now. I've done a lot of research into it (to an obsessive degree I'm afraid) and I match up a lot with the symptoms presented. Every time I fear that I don't have OCD, I go straight to Google and read article upon article to see if I do or don't have it. The only reasons that I've had some type of certainty about this is because 1: intrusive thoughts that trigger randomly and can send me into spirals that are difficult to get out of 2: I've had anxiety attacks and I know these spirals are not anxiety attacks 3: I do a lot of reassurance seeking, which, since researching OCD, I've found I do a LOT in my life- knowing about the reassurance thing has really helped me keep myself in check, but it obviously doesn't solve the issue. I have not been able to find a professional who agrees with me, though. It makes me feel crazy trying to advocate for myself since I'm disagreeing with the people who have degrees so strongly. The thing that makes it difficult is that I have ADHD, anxiety and depression already as diagnoses. Everytime I bring up my symptoms, it's like they're afraid to acknowledge the possibility of OCD. I genuinely don't know why. The therapist I just started seeing told me that she makes the differential based on magical thinking. (For reference, I'm on Medicaid, I can't do NOCD therapy). It was honestly shattering for me. It sent me into a long spiral afterwards. I don't really have many compulsions involving magical thinking to my knowledge. But I do know that my thoughts aren't rational. I can spend hours at a time thinking things over and over and over again to the point that I never get anything done and I'm so tired of it. I pace back and forth as I review everything constantly in my mind to the point that my feet are sore every day. I avoid driving because I'm terrified I'm going to get into a life changing accident. I've never gone to one of my graduations because I was terrified of the possibility of screwing it up. I can't forget anything wrong that I've ever done. They all come back to haunt me and I can't even identify the triggers, it just happens randomly and then I just can't stop. I can't maintain any friendships because they always confirm my fears one way or another. I've been confident that it's more than anxiety alone. It's difficult to not ruminate on it. It's even more difficult not to scratch that itch to just make people believe me at any cost. I just wish my pain could be recognized. I want help so badly.