People in the UK with HOCD: have you been afraid to seek help because you’re worried that your GP won’t understand and neither will a therapist? I really need help, but I’m scared they won’t believe me, esp as I haven’t been diagnosed with OCD before.

I am not from UK but. I can say that it is common to feel like that suffering from OCD but I can assure you that your GP has much more experice with this stuff. And getting help is the most wise choice to make. Wish you a better life.

Im scared they will just say I’m in denial:(

Your GP might be inclined to say that, it happened to me. But if you have a therapist that understands OCD and you are receiving ERP then you should be okay. I’ve been to both and said HOCD to both and the therapist knew straight away. A GP is best to guide you towards mental health services but make sure it isn’t for CBT.

How long did it take to get a referral? Is it not just better to seek a private therapist? I’m terrified that that no one will believe me that I have HOCD, including my parents

I had 2 types of therapy, CBT before I was 18 and ERP after I was 18. I went through my GP so the waiting times depend on where you are tbh. Before I was 18 it was around a month but after I was 18 it was adult services so around Feb/March last year I self referred with a handout my doctor gave me, went for an assessment a few months after and started ERP in August time I think. So it can be a process, personally I wouldn’t go private unless you’re desperate.

Do you mind me asking if you have HOCD? Did the NHS therapists help you and believe you? Tbh I feel pretty desperate

I do yes, I had one therapist who I told everything to and he said I have textbook OCD, like yourself. It affects us so much because it is the opposite of who we are, it is egodystonic. That’s why when you’re getting gay intrusive thoughts and you thought you were straight then that’s why it affects you so much. But the only way to look at these thoughts are just as what they are, thoughts. But yes, it was a great insight into my OCD he gave me because once you understand the OCD processes the thoughts are irrelevant. It works for any thought and some will come and go.

How did you find them? How many many therapists did you go through? How did you not get disheartened and spiral when they said you were in denial? I want to start doing some self-help stuff now. How did you start?

He was great, I only had one therapist. The only person who said I was in denial was my GP, my therapist never said that. Self help is a long process in itself, the first thing you need to do is understand the OCD process.

Do you mind me asking the name of your therapist? It would be much better if I could speak to a therapist who I know has experience in this area.

@Cosworth29 ?????

Please respond, I need a therapist and I need one that will believe me ?

They’re local to me, you’ll have to go to your GP and get referred to mental health services

But they probably do private treatment...? I’m willing to pay at this point...!

Hello??? It would be useful to have their name so I can look them up to get help, even if it’s only over email

I don’t know their full name, sorry. And no they don’t do private treatment, it’s a NHS service.

Ok...thanks