Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
Hi all,
It's been a while since I've been on here! As a brief recap, I've suffered from anxiety issues since I was young, but only began seeking treatment about five months ago. I suffer from OCD, and have also been diagnosed with Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety. After years of avoiding the idea of medication, things became difficult enough that I entertained the option. I'm now on a therapy/medication regimine, and after some initial issues (disliked my first therapist, first prescription was a bad match, etc), I've found a balance that has helped me to improve greatly. My panic attacks are rare, my anxiety is almost always manageable, and my general mood has improved.
The problem is that now that I'm feeling better, I'm second-guessing my "difficulties." I've always had an obsessive fear that I was overreacting, that I was making up issues for attention, or that I was just plain wrong. It's part of why it took so long for me to seek professional help - fear that they'd tell me there was nothing wrong with me. Now that I'm feeling healthier, I'm now looking back over information on these conditions and am becoming anxious over whether or not I've lied or manipulated my way into these diagnoses. It's absurd, I know - I only feel better because I've sought help, I'm clearly over-anxious about these thoughts, my compulsive behaviors haven't ceased, but I'm still plagued with this fear that I'm making everything up.
Of course there's not a whole lot that I can do about this, but it's so frustrating! I wondered if anyone here has experienced the same or similar?
It's been a while since I've been on here! As a brief recap, I've suffered from anxiety issues since I was young, but only began seeking treatment about five months ago. I suffer from OCD, and have also been diagnosed with Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety. After years of avoiding the idea of medication, things became difficult enough that I entertained the option. I'm now on a therapy/medication regimine, and after some initial issues (disliked my first therapist, first prescription was a bad match, etc), I've found a balance that has helped me to improve greatly. My panic attacks are rare, my anxiety is almost always manageable, and my general mood has improved.
The problem is that now that I'm feeling better, I'm second-guessing my "difficulties." I've always had an obsessive fear that I was overreacting, that I was making up issues for attention, or that I was just plain wrong. It's part of why it took so long for me to seek professional help - fear that they'd tell me there was nothing wrong with me. Now that I'm feeling healthier, I'm now looking back over information on these conditions and am becoming anxious over whether or not I've lied or manipulated my way into these diagnoses. It's absurd, I know - I only feel better because I've sought help, I'm clearly over-anxious about these thoughts, my compulsive behaviors haven't ceased, but I'm still plagued with this fear that I'm making everything up.
Of course there's not a whole lot that I can do about this, but it's so frustrating! I wondered if anyone here has experienced the same or similar?
The problem is that now that I'm feeling better.........I'm clearly over-anxious about these thoughts, my compulsive behaviors haven't ceased, but I'm still plagued with this fear that I'm making everything up.
If you read what you wrote above, it is a huge contradiction. How can you be "feeling better" and still be "over anxious", have "compulsive behaviors (that) haven't ceased" and "still be plagued with this fear......"? You may have made progress with your GAD and panic attacks but you have not made nearly as much progress with your OCD.
You wrote: "Of course there's not a whole lot that I can do about this"
There is actually plenty you can do about it. You can look for a better BEHAVIOR THERAPIST who really understands ERP (the best way to fight OCD) and OCD and keep trying new meds. You can look for a therapist on the IOCDF's website at ocfoundation.org. Disliking a therapist is very normal and taking meds that do not work or have side effects is normal as well. Justb have to keep looking for that therapist who really understands OCD and does not just claim to know how to treat OCD.
Good ERP will expose you to your fears of lying, making things up and whatever else you are obsessing about and desensitize you to them. When you write out the fearful scenario that bothers you, then read it or listen to it over and over again, you will find you are facing your OCD fears, refraining from doing your compulsions (all OCDers have mental and/or phys compulsions) and they will no longer bother you.
By repeatedly confronting obsessions and then resisting compulsions, sufferers gradually build up a tolerance to what they fear, until it can no longer have any impact on them. I like to tell my patients that:
"You can't be bored and scared at the same time".
He means ERP is the best way to treat OCD.