I was just wondering if anyone’s OCD had prevented them from sitting exams? I’m about to go into a huge exam block and I’m going through a really rough patch with my OCD. I don’t think I could honestly make it through exams at this point. Any advice? d a i s y

Maybe but it may be good to try as you may surprise yourself that you're okay!

Yeah I completely understand what you mean. The exams themselves aren’t really a trigger of my OCD. It’s more that I’ve been so consumed by obsessions/compulsions lately that I’ve been unable to study. I’m worried my marks aren’t going to be a reflection of what I know, rather a reflection of how my mental illness has prevented me from preparing. I don’t want all my hard work to go down the drain because of stupid OCD ? Thanks for being supportive Cjx, you have no idea how much it means! d a i s y

Hey Daisy, like cjx said, just give it a go and see what happens! You never know! And I did ultra crappy on my exams in high school and still have a really successful career! So it’s not totally the end of the world anyways!

One thing used to work for me is that keeping on study when those obsessions show and gradually you will show yourself that you can study even with obsessions. It’s really important to remember your strength and what you really want.

Let me share my experience with the 4-hours grueling GRE exam. I can barely concentrate but I did push through. My math score fluctuated a lot. And I’m gonna take if for the third time. You can take GRE 5 times maximum a year, I will keep trying every 21 days :) If you care about something, you will get there. I got this, you got this too.

What kind of exams are they? Can you ask for extra time? If you get a doctors note confirming your OCD diagnosis

I’m in my final year of high school, so they’re a part of my HSC. I have special provisions, which mean I get rest breaks and sit my exams in a separate room to everyone else. I’ve provided paperwork from my doctors and psychologist to the Board of Studies stating my diagnosis. I’m thinking I’m just going to have to get a certificate to say I’m exempt from sitting my exams? d a i s y

The great thing about OCD is that with a doctor’s permission and diagnosis you can actually get extra time on tests. Tests are awful for some people when you have OCD I totally get it, but if you talk to your teacher and get a doctor to help you you can get extra time on the exams if they allow that (which most schools do depending on the test)

OCD is telling you that you can’t do it. But actually you can. It’s just you are so troubled by the fear of “can’t”. I got OCD and finished college better than anyone. I was filled with the fear of “can’t” and the imagined consequences. It was painful. But, it seems you can really start recovery only when you don’t have any choice but to face it head on.

Thank you so much Shannon_tan for that glimpse of hope! I really needed it. All the best for your exams! d a i s y

Thank you all so much for your support and advice!! I’ll definitely speak to my teachers and doctors and see what they have in mind! Hope everyone’s day was wonderful. d a i s y

I’ve had this happen many times. It happened through the entire course of finals and the ACT. I heard you can ask for a doctors note if you say you have OCD to prolong your time. I didnt do that I just made sure I had extra sleep and used reading as a distraction.