OCD vs. anxiety vs. depression

When I started with NOCD, I was previously diagnosed with anxiety, ptsd and depression. In the last few months I found I didn’t meat criteria for depression or anxiety… that frustrated me. I built my persona around those two diagnoses because I genuinely feel like I have them and I still feel that way. Now I find myself obsessing over being told I (only) have OCD and that maybe it manifests as depressed feelings or anxiety… I then obsess over what is exactly wrong with me, how do I fix it, how to I not subject my loved ones to it, how do I stop feeling this way. A seemingly endless loop of confusion, guilt, wanting concrete diagnoses and wanting to validate and understand what I’m feeling.

CaspersKeeper

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

Diagnosis can vary- my therapist has me taking diagnostic tests every few weeks to keep an eye on my progress. It could be your OCD presented as anxiety and depression, but your depression and anxiety may have improved while your OCD presented itself. With OCD (and ptsd probably) anxiety and depression can often be co-morbidity’s. It could be any number of things- really a diagnosis is there only to help you find the correct treatment plan for a patient. As long as you are getting the help you need- it isn’t all that important (besides maybe finding community as well within that group) Now that you have an ocd diagnosis- maybe getting specific help for that will help you with these feelings.

JPLonghorn34

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 20h

Hey there. It could be OCD, it could be anxiety, could be depression…could be all three! I actually was originally misdiagnosed with panic disorder many years ago. Since my OCD diagnosis I’ve come to recognize and understand how my OCD thoughts work in regard to certain triggers. It explains all of the depression I’ve ever felt, most of the anxiety I’ve felt too. I went through the same stuff. You need to accept the uncertainty of your diagnosis (meta OCD is super real) and roll with the discomfort of that. That will lead to recovery!

Llenus

Date posted: 17h

@JPLonghorn34 I think that is where I am exactly. Fighting the labeling, the diagnosing. Grasping real hard for that certainty… then I ask myself, what would being told ‘ok you do have all three’ diagnoses do? It only been a month or so of therapy haha so I know I have a long road ahead. It almost feels like I’m meeting this 3rd version of me that hid behind the anxiety and depression and I don’t know how to interact with it.

Llenus

Date posted: 17h

@JPLonghorn34 Also I’ve never heard of metaOCD!

JPLonghorn34

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 16h

@Llenus Yeah totally get it. Having two previous diagnoses, whether they were correct or not, and then finally facing the OCD head on is difficult. You’re still so fresh into therapy that you’re likely at the point where it’s getting worse before it gets better. Stick it out and keep it up! And yes, Meta-OCD is real, especially in those who have recently gotten a diagnosis or are actively participating in ERP 🙂

Kaymo56

Date posted: Yesterday

Hey, I know the feeling of wanting validation. You want answers, of course. If I had to guess, I’d say the obsession with finding out what’s ‘wrong’ with you, in and of itself, could be a symptom of OCD. I’m not an expert, though. Please don’t quote me on that. I’d strongly suggest seeing a therapist here, maybe one that also specializes in anxiety/ depression. Talk to them, and see what they say regarding a treatment plan. And maybe try attending a support group. Hear what others have to say concerning their own journeys, gain some new perspectives. I know it’s hard, as someone who’s struggled with anxiety most of her life. I get it. You’ll get through this.

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