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Should I get a formal diagnosis?


Guest nicolam381318

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Guest nicolam381318

I referred myself for treatment when I was experiencing contamination fears a couple of years ago. The GP received correspondence from the counselling service but they weren't directly involved. It was during those sessions that it was proposed that I might have OCD traits. I've never had a formal diagnosis of OCD and I'm beginning to wonder if I should approach my GP to get one.

The reason I ask is because my problems do seem to be getting steadily worse. I have just started a new job which has created a significant spike, but even with that aside things don't seem to be getting any better. I suppose I'm looking ahead really. I've had a few occasions recently where I've been close to taking time off work and I really don't want to do that. It would do me no good sitting at home with all that time on my hands, but do I need a formal diagnosis to be covered by the Disability Act?

I suppose one of my biggest fears about approaching the GP is bringing it all out into the open. I would be happy to tell Ooccupational Health but I am reluctant for my new boss to find out at this stage. I haven't had a brilliant experience in the past. I am also a bit worried that a specialist would not confirm the diagnosis. Realising that all my past problems could be due to one condition has been very reassuring for me and I would find it very difficult to go back to the beginning and get my head around it all again.

I hope this makes sense. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Any advice?

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Hi Nicola,

............but do I need a formal diagnosis to be covered by the Disability Act?

I'm afraid you do for OCD, but you would be covered if you were formally diagnosed with another condition like depression. I'm not sure though that you'd have to declare it to your employer now (you would if you were signing your employment contract) but I need to check that out for you.

As things are steadily getting worse it would be better to have a safety net in place in case you need it, hopefully you won't, but it would be easier to get everything in place now rather than possibly hitting a crisis and then having to navigate your way around the system.

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I hope you can turn things around before they get too bad. I know you have very similar contamination issues to me (vomiting phobia). I don't know if you have to tell your boss or not, it may be that it doesn't have to go any further than Occ Health - can you find out?

What counts as a 'formal diagnosis' anyway? I'm imagining an awards ceremony and a certificate of OCD. I've been treated for OCD but have no idea if I have a formal diagnosis or not.

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@legalseagull - A formal diagnosis would be where a qualified medical professional, usually a psychiatrist determines you have OCD. An informal diagnosis may come from yourself or other around you who are familiar with the symptoms of OCD and can compare that to your behavior. Anyone on this forum would be giving an informal diagnosis. While an informal diagnosis can help you start to understand what's wrong if you do indeed have OCD there's no guarantee it's correct, and it doesn't let you take advantage of treatment options like therapy and medication. A formal diagnosis is more definitive, enables you to have access to professional treatment, and as part of your medical record in countries like the UK and US, entitles you to protection under the law.

@nicola - For the reasons I mention above (treatment options, legal protections, etc.) I definitely recommend you get a formal diagnosis. It's understandable to be nervous but I rally truly believe the benefit far outweighs any possible downsides.

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