Have you been unable to work over OCD?

[Guest Nikki79]

Hi guys just wondering have people been unable to work because of OCD. I have been out almost a month and then I went back but had to leave again as just couldn't face it with the anxiety I feel. Just curious about other people's stories.

[Zazoo]

I've been unable to work for over five months now because of my (P) OCD.  Every time I feel like I can go back, my anxiety spikes badly and I slide back into a depression of sorts.  I know I have to go back sooner than later but its proving hard to convince myself otherwise despite therapy.  I think its something we all have to do eventually and part of moving on with our lives despite our OCD issues.  

[OceanDweller]

Hi Nikki. I lost my (relatively cushy desk) job due to unauthorised absence because of anxiety, including OCD. In total I was out of the game for 7 years. Not working only served to exacerbate my symptoms. The less I forced myself to do, the less I was able to attempt. My advice would be to get back on that horse as fast as you can. OCD preys on idle minds.

[Guest Nikki79]

Hi guys thanks for that. I'm just trembling and so scared I just couldn't go in today. I just couldn't bare it.

[BelAnna]

Yes.

Firstly I went to University but couldn't complete my course despite getting an academic prize for the highest attainment in second year and all A grades- I took several years of leave from the course and eventually withdrew. 

Now I am unemployed- I have a very severe and complex OCD (I spent 3 months at the ADRU in Bethlem Hospital for specialist treatment a few years ago)- I cannot do normal things because of a combination of contamination OCD, Social Anxiety Disorder (and difficulty communicating with anyone outside of my family as a result of having been housebound for a while) and other OCD thoughts and compulsions. I only officially withdrew from my course 18 months ago and was registered on the course for years and I haven't been well enough to apply for entry level jobs. 

 

[BelAnna]

Sorry you're struggling so much at the moment Nikki- don't beat yourself up about it- you are ill and it's fine to take a little bit of time off work.

 

I do agree with OceanDweller that getting back to work as soon as you are able is a good idea and also that OCD can at sometimes be worse when there are not other things to distract you from your thoughts.

[Guest Nikki79]

10 minutes ago, BelAnna said:

Sorry you're struggling so much at the moment Nikki- don't beat yourself up about it- you are ill and it's fine to take a little bit of time off work.

 

I do agree with OceanDweller that getting back to work as soon as you are able is a good idea and also that OCD can at sometimes be worse when there are not other things to distract you from your thoughts.

I'm sorry to hear your story that is so tough. I did try to go back last week but struggled and an hour seemed like a lifetime. I just couldn't face it this week and now I'm worried my employer isn't happy as my boyfriend contacted them this morning and I heard nothing back. I dunno how long I will be out for though. You can't explain to them then what exactly is going on.

[BelAnna]

Hi Nikki,

That's really hard and it sounds like you're doing everything you can. Could your boyfriend tell your boss that you have a long term health condition and are suffering from a flare-up? or could you get a GP letter to say that you are not fit for work at the moment?

[Guest Nikki79]

Hi BelAnna,

Yes I tried to explain to my boss that I had anxiety and depression but not really saying about OCD. I asked my boss did she want a letter before and she didn't seem that interested. We had agreed I would go back part time until I feel better but the Weekend I just has was horrendous. My GP is out of town for a few more days but I am due to see him again. It's so hard cos people think oh you just have anxiety get over it. We know better right?

[BelAnna]

Definitely, it's completely debilitating. I'm so sorry you're been so unwell but you're doing amazingly to try to stay working part-time despite severe OCD. 

I think I remember that the World Health Organisation rated OCD as one of the most disabling conditions worldwide. 

Just focus on trying to get well at the moment- are you having CBT at the moment?

[Guest Nikki79]

2 minutes ago, BelAnna said:

Definitely, it's completely debilitating. I'm so sorry you're been so unwell but you're doing amazingly to try to stay working part-time despite severe OCD. 

I think I remember that the World Health Organisation rated OCD as one of the most disabling conditions worldwide. 

Just focus on trying to get well at the moment- are you having CBT at the moment?

Well I went back part time last week and then this week I just couldn't go in. Yes OCD is in the top ten of most debilitating illnesses in the world. It's truly awful. I am having a little CBT but my Therapist is on holidays until next week. As regards OCD when you have intrusions and then you have other thoughts when you ruminate and feel they could have happened but of course not sure that was exactly the way. How do you deal with that?

[EzioAuditore83]

 

Hi Nikki

 

As an employer of quite a few people I see mental health issues more and more from my staff. The one thing that irritates me is if I feel the member of staff isn't trying to address their problems. My suggestion would be to keep your employer updated as much as possible, ensure you tell them when you're seeing the doctor, if you're getting counselling etc.

If you can show you're being proactive then generally employers will be more accomidating...of course, no guarantees about this!

E

Edited July 4, 2017 by EzioAuditore83

[St Mike]

 

2 hours ago, Nikki79 said:

It's so hard cos people think oh you just have anxiety get over it. We know better right?

Definitely, Nikki, those of us who had gone through the hell of OCD would be able to understand and empathise with you. I really wish you well and hope you get through this very difficult time. 

Edited July 4, 2017 by St Mike

[BelAnna]

Hi Nikki,

That's really good that you're having CBT though- I hope your therapist can help next week. Maybe it would be a good plan as Ezio suggested to inform your employer that you're having CBT at the moment.

As regards OCD when you have intrusions and then you have other thoughts when you ruminate and feel they could have happened but of course not sure that was exactly the way. How do you deal with that?

Do you know I'm really not sure. I think the idea is to stop ruminating over doubts by doing some distracting activities instead. Ruminating is a behaviour and we do not have to do it. Just as worrying is a behaviour- we tend to think of them as automatic processes but really we have a limited degree of choice- we can either use our mental energy to try to work out how many people we killed in the past or how much dog poo we walked in or whether we're responsible for harm or looked at someone in the wrong way or left the hob on OR we can do other things- like hobbies, reading, phoning friends, exercising. Unfortunately our OCD brains come up with all sorts of unlikely thoughts and convince us that we are responsible for things that didn't even happen! 

Thinking of you and hope you get through this blip ok!

Edited July 4, 2017 by BelAnna

[Guest Nikki79]

Thanks Belanna have a wonderful and peaceful evening x