Help diagnose me pls.

Greetings! Oh my god, first person I found to relate to. I also have intrusive thoughts about Surveillance and I feel watched or someone spying on me all the time. About one year ago I self diagnosed myself with OCD and this year I actually got diagnosed with OCD. So yeah what you’re describing sounds like Surveillance & Privacy OCD, the theme that I have. I also feel like there are cameras and microphones in my room or that somehow I’m being watched through an object or literally anything ordinary. Plus the pattern you described and being stuck in the loop fits well with OCD diagnosis. I’m a psychology student and I can tell you more elaborated and describe what is actually going on: The ocd loop is very simple to memorize. First we have Obsessions (an intrusive thought, images, urges, doubts etc.) then we have the Anxiety provoked by the Obsession, Then we have compulsions (a psychical or mental actions such as like rituals, checking, counting, seeking reassurance, replaying memories etc.), Then we have Temporary Relief, the behavioral brings a small brief moment of calm, but it slowly teaches the brain that there was actually a real danger and that the compulsion was necessarily to stay safe, witch stronger the cycle and the obsession came back stronger or changes. Why this happens? Let’s look into our Brain Circuit! I’m gonna tell you four parts of the brain though it doesn’t only happen in those parts I’m just explaining to match the cycle and the endless loop. First we have the Orbitofrontal Cortex ( shorten as OFC ) this is the part of the brain that makes decisions & seek certainty. Well, in OCD it becomes overactive with tries to “solve” the unexistend problem over and over again. Second, we have the Anterior Cingulate Cortex ( shorten as ACC ) witch helps detecting danger & uncertainty. Well, in OCD it over-detects nonstop threats even when there’s no actual danger. Witch is why the brain is always in signal mode. Third, we have the Basal Ganglia witch is the part of the brain that helps with habits & routines. Well, while having OCD it strengthens the loop by making the compulsions feel necessary (even if they aren’t) Last but not least, the Thalamus is the brain area that relays signals between the other brain areas. While in OCD it sends the worry signal forward again and again. Where the “glitch” happens The brain gets stuck in the loop and the fear signal doesn’t turn off. • Note: Those informations are from my own memory and my mind, so if i shared wrong informations you can check on the internet and correct me later! I have a study wall where I have those brain diagrams and I read from them! My suggestion and reccomandations: ( I know most of this you’re probably already doing and I’m so proud of you ) I know most of those might seem small but they matter! • Sleep 8 hours per night! • Stay hydrated, drink 2L+ of water daily! • Work out, even for just a few minutes it’s enough! • Talk to people, Isolation and loneliness can stronger the OCD loop, if you’re lonely just like me, you’re not alone anymore! I’m there for you! I got you! • Do Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) you don’t necessarily need a therapist, you’re already practicing on your own by resisting compulsions! Good job! • Practice Cognetive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) methods, such as responding indifferently to the intrusive thoughts or expose it! But be careful of how you use it cuz It might accidentally turn into another compulsion! • Take medications if needed, though for me it didn’t worked it only made it worse and got allergic but depends of your body and severity! Such as Zoloft or Fevarine. (ATTENTION: ONLY IF IS PRESCRIPED BY YOUR PSYCHIATRIST!) ! Remember: • Its NOT your fault • You CAN heal • The brain can learn new patterns • You did NOT choose or create this • OCD is a cycle not a choice! <3 The hope: • Your brain is NOT broken, its just stuck right now • With patience, support and treatment, the loop gets weaker and YOU get stronger! • Peace grows everytime you ressit! • Feelings pass, strength stays! • Discomfort is temporary, compulsions prolog it Now finally: You’re still cool and you still have personality behind that noise in your head and it doesn’t reflect who you are as a person! Peace out! <3 Short answer: Yes, you have OCD and you’re in fact diagnosed with OCD.