Diagnosis

You're doing the right thing. OCD doesn't do well with standard therapy. It can even make it worse. I finally went to NOCD, and I'm thankful I did.

I find that when I'm future tripping (spinning out about things that haven't happened) it helps me to return to the now. When I'm having a really rough time I'll walk slowly and one after another watch my feet pick up and step down as I walk

OCD always makes us think we have to have an answer to things, even finding a for sure diagnosis can be a form of seeking re-assurance. It was never enough for me, I had a huge problem looking up symptoms of different psych disorders. Remember these diagnosis are a way to categorize a cluster of symptoms that some people struggle with. I struggle with obsessive and complulsive thinking and ERP helps me with that. If you struggle with the symptoms listed under OCD then ERP can help you alleviate some of those symptoms. You’re not an imposter, there is nothing wrong with trying something to help yourself.

This was almost exactly my experience! Then I got my diagnosis, felt relieved for a few days, and then I started questioning if I manipulated my therapist into misdiagnosing me. Now I’m a month into ERP therapy and I’m seeing really significant improvements — and I still question if ERP is working and if I really have OCD. Knowing what I know now, my advice is this: approach ocd like a research experiment and fall back on that whenever you start doubting. Pick a set amount of time to stick with treatment and then resolve to trust the experts and the process. At the end of your trial you can decide if you’re still on the right path, but at least you’ll have given ERP therapy a fair shot. And you have a community here ready to support you no matter what. Good luck, friend!

O my goodness yes!! I was the exact same way when I first got diagnosed. I thought it was a possibility but because I didn’t have it like other people I thought it wasn’t possible. Then my psychiatrist said hey you have over symptoms let’s test this and we did and I got diagnosed. And at first I was like finally I get to put a name to this struggle I’ve had my entire life. But then I convinced myself that I was just crazy and I didn’t have ocd and the psychiatrist maybe thought wrong cause so and so had it worse than me. Or I had a different subtype of ocd so there’s no way. But I realized that’s actually part of ocd. Not trusting yourself or believing yourself. It’s kind of ironic. But I’m sorry you’re going through this

I feel like I could have wrote this. Along with just switching from lexapro to Prozac. It’s crazy how similar what you wrote is to my life. I thought for a while I didn’t have OCD or ADHD. Like I almost had imposter syndrome feelings over it. After this most recent flare up I now know that I do indeed have both and I need help. I also have my first two therapy sessions coming up. Thinking of you and sending good vibes!

OCD is known as the Doubting Disease, because it tries to make us doubt our values, as well as if we even have the disorder. Question: you write that you'll soon be starting therapy. Is your therapist an OCD-trained therapist who uses ERP therapy?