ive always wanted to become a psychologist or work in the mental health field because im passionate about learning how humans work, psychoanalysis and i have a fair share of savior complex but... ocd hit me in the face. im too weak and vulnerable to have a job of such status im literally mentally ill and hypersensitive. who would want advice and mental help from a messy bitch with mental illness. ive always enjoyed reading about mental conditions and human behaviors, but now it's just triggering because i start thinking "oh what if i develop this severe disorder" or my biggest one "im afraid im a narcissist". this was my only dream and passion i had faith in and now im losing it. im not capable of achieving my only dream because of circumstances.

Caree

Date posted: 4y

Hi! I am a social worker at a psychiatric hospital and struggle with severe OCD. I definitely understand your concern of struggling with mental illness and being a mental health professional. Sometimes I have these thoughts too. But after all of my education, field experience, and work with my own therapist, I’ve learned it is possible for people like us to have these jobs! If anything, there are benefits to it as we are able to empathise and understand our patients on a deeper level. There are days where I feel triggered or down about my OCD at my job, but I am learning to have better self-awareness and practice self-care when I am not at work. I also see a therapist regularly which helps me manage my OCD in my personal and work life. Don’t let OCD discourage you from working in the mental health field one day. It’s actually pretty typical for people with mental illness to work in the mental health field. OCD is good at telling us we’re not good enough for something or not capable, but OCD doesn’t define us. Hope this helped😊

feethebee

Date posted: 4y

thank you so much for your input! you are right about everything you said, and i should probably not let my ocd influence my self-esteem so much. im just afraid that i might never get better and not be a right for such a job because of that, but i think it was a little ignorant of me to assume that mental health professionals don't struggle themselves. your words were very encouraging and im glad to hear that you're managing your ocd well while also having such a demanding job! your post was very helpful btw i wish you well <3

Caree

Date posted: 4y

@feethebee I’m so glad I was able to encourage you a bit! It’s hard not to let OCD influence what we do or what choices we make and don’t beat yourself up for that because this is just something our OCD does. Believe me, I struggle with this a lot and am still working hard on this. But giving yourself some self-compassion and telling yourself you are more than youR OCD will help! If your dream is to work in the mental health field and pursue psychology, then do it!! And thank you, I wish you well too<3

feethebee

Date posted: 4y

i acknowledge that there are people working in the mental health field that struggle with their mental health or a mental illness and honestly good for them that is awesome but i don't know if id be able to do that as well. i feel like im far too weak. im afraid id end up messing my patients up even more. id be too hesitant to pursue such a career because i strive to be helpful and the thought of failing to meet someone's expectations and disappointing someone i want to help makes me feel so anxious and depressed. i know this isn't very much ocd related but i felt like ranting sorry about that. also im only 15 idk why im overthinking this ive got years ahead of me. but ocd is stealing my dreams and i hate itttt

feethebee

Date posted: 4y

thank you to all of you answering, i can't respond to each individually but seriously thank you guys im always happy to see encouraging and inspiring people on this app❤️❤️ i hope you guys can make the most out of working in the mental health field if you choose to do so and kick ocd's ass. pretty interesting how people with mental health issues or conditions are more likely to be interested in this field :)

stop.

Date posted: 4y

I’m want to be a psychiatric np and I have a lot of mental health issues, but I don’t wanna let it stop me. It is a little scary like what if I get triggered by something they confide in me or I get so hypersensitive about it, but those worries do not outweigh the genuine enjoyment I feel. I love learning about these things and helping people. It’s the one thing I’m actually passionate about. Don’t let ocd stop you from doing things you’re passionate about :)

you.are.enough

Date posted: 4y

Don't let OCD take this away from you!!!! I totally understand where you're coming from. I want to go into the mental health field also, but of course I'm worried about being triggered and thinking the similar things as you: "What if I or my partner have this disorder? What if I find out I have a personality disorder or my partner has borderline personality disorder? (If you can't tell, I have ROCD lol). But guess what? I'm in my first semester in a graduate program for Counseling Psychology with the goal of becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. All those worries are still there, but I'm choosing not to let OCD take this passion and goal for me. I'm working with an OCD therapist and to manage my mental health, which I recommend if you chase this passion. Do it! I'm here doing it and I believe you can too 💚

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