Jump to content

Gemma@OCDUK

Support Volunteer
  • Posts

    369
  • Joined

Posts posted by Gemma@OCDUK

  1. Hi Thumula,

    I'm really sorry to hear how much your friend is struggling at the moment. Perhaps it would be helpful for her to listen to other people with OCD who have struggled with religious based worries and overcome them. There are two presentations from our 2020 conference that you could both watch here https://www.ocduk.org/conference/conferences-across-the-uk/2020-virtual/conference-map/main/ocd-and-religion-a-sufferers-perspective/ and here https://www.ocduk.org/conference/conferences-across-the-uk/2020-virtual/conference-map/main/ocd-faith-and-climate-change/

    Maybe if she sees that she is not alone in her struggles, then she will feel more ready to reach out for help.

    Gemma :)

     

     

  2. Hi Sarah,

    I agree with Snowbear in that not being able to drink makes it a possible emergency situation so I hope you have managed to reach out to either your GP for immediate assistance or if you have to go to A&E, then please do so. It is really hard because I'm sure it feels like your total responsibility to get your daughter eating and drinking, but really you need support to tackle this problem, because it will be very distressing for you and your husband too.

    Gemma

     

     

  3. Hi Sarah,

    I'm so sorry to hear how much your daughter is struggling at the moment. I understand how hard it must be to watch your daughter in such distress over something seemingly so simple like eating food. The symptoms you describe sound a lot like those with OCD with contamination fears around food, but there is another condition that I know of called Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) that can co-occur with OCD, or be a condition on its own. We have a presentation from the specialist CAMHS team in London talking about it here https://www.ocduk.org/conference/conferences-across-the-uk/2021-virtual/family/ocd-and-co-morbidities/

    They do suggest some resources, but just knowing about ARFID might help better inform the approach of CAMHS. You mentioned that your daughter's therapist has contacted CAMHS and so has your GP, have you heard anything back yet?

    Gemma :)

     

  4. Hi Dantheflan,

    It's hard to say whether or not these worries are because of OCD or not, however there are some things that these worries will have in common with OCD. Caring for someone means that you risk getting hurt, OCD hates risk, you can't know for 100% sure that everything will be fine in the future, OCD hates uncertainty. Whether or not it's OCD doesn't matter too much as long as you approach the worry over risk and uncertainty the same. 

    Look out for what behaviours you do that say you need to constantly keep a look out for things going wrong, try your best to reduce them, and your feelings and concentration on them will reduce over time.

    Gemma :)

     

     

  5. Hi Shishkebab,

    Typically, local talking therapies services let your GP know that you are using the service, so you don't need to do it yourself. If the service is an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service (which it sounds like it is), then the professionals there can't offer a diagnosis, but they are trained to assess people with common anxiety problems and will be able to recognise when someone is struggling with OCD. 

    The aim for treatment for OCD is CBT, so as long as CBT is included in your treatment plan at some point then it sounds like they are taking the right steps for you :)

    Gemma

     

     

     

  6. 17 hours ago, louloulou said:

    My 12 year old is showing ocd traits (checking, washing hands).   

    He did have some problems and was referred to Cahms which finished earlier this year and was really improving.  He began to start checking things, touching items a certain number of times which have now started to interferre with normal life.  

    He is anxious about people in his life getting hurt.  Recently he was talking about the case where the young women was abducted and killed by a policeman and worries this could happen to me.  He checks where I am going/doing constantly.  He told me if he checks certains things it will keep me safe.  I'm not sure how to word to him and we can never be 100% in control of life.  

    I think I need to get him some counselling with an OCD specialist.  He is a lot worse since summer holidays because he has more time to think and worry about things.

     

    Any advice please?  

    Hi Louloulou,

    If your son was improving with CAMHS, then is it possible to get back in touch with them about further CBT? 

    Gemma :)

     

  7. Hi Tough at times :)

    I have heard lots of people say they wake up anxious so you are definitely not alone. The only way to lose anxiety like all other emotions is to accept that it is there and to get on with your day. Emotions come and go and won't last forever, as long as we don't buy into them (like trying to work out why you're anxious).

    Also, when you're anxious you're more likely to be irritable and get intrusive thoughts, so again accept this as part of anxiety and be compassionate with yourself :)

    Gemma

     

  8. Hi OB1UK,

    It might be helpful to look at this problem as if it was a friend's dilemma. What would you suggest they do in this situation? Do you think you are treating yourself which much harsher standards then you would suggest a friend did?

    At the moment it sounds like you are worried about the fact that you 'could' have acted in a different way. Why do feel thinking this over and over is going to help? Do you have evidence that thinking it over helps at all? 

    My advice is to take things in small chunks. Practice for a half hour, not engaging with these thoughts, enjoying family time. Try this over a few days, allowing yourself other time to ruminate if you want to. Then after a few days extend it to 45 minutes and so on. Giving up thinking about all the thoughts at once may just be a little out of reach right now, but you can get there.

    Gemma :)

     

  9. Hi Ben,

    If your fiancé is in England, then she will be able to self-refer to her local IAPT service for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). She can find her local service here https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/ If she is elsewhere in the UK, then it's likely she will need to speak to her GP. She will need to ask for a referral to her local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT). If it would help, she can explain that she has been advised to seek CBT for OCD by OCD-UK. 

    We have some fantastic conference presentations that you might find helpful to watch together. You can access them all here https://www.ocduk.org/conference/

    Gemma

     

     

     

  10. Hi Ben,

    I'm really sorry to hear how much your fiancé is struggling at the moment. You mentioned that she has been to the doctors a few times, has she ever been offered or had any treatment? Treatment would include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and possibly SSRI medication.

    Gemma :)

     

  11. Hi zjg22,

    I'm sorry to hear that your daughter is struggling so much at the moment. You can access CBT on the NHS, but what service is best for your daughter depends on how old she is. if she is under 16 years old then she would need a referral to her local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) who will be able to assess, diagnose and offer treatment. 

    We do have some fantastic presentations aimed at parents of children under 18 years old, that offer ideas on how to tackle OCD as a family. You can find them all here https://www.ocduk.org/conference/conferences-across-the-uk/2021-virtual/family/ and here https://www.ocduk.org/conference/conferences-across-the-uk/2020-virtual/conference-map/family/

    Gemma :)

     

     

     

  12. Hi Flourella,

    OHSPIC would very much tailor their treatment approach to your situation, so they wouldn't offer home visits until you were ready to. My understanding of the Springfield is what you referenced, that they can offer some outpatient support, again I imagine it will vary on a case by case basis.

    I don't know of any information on OCD treatment with the specific co-morbidities you mentioned. Treatment should really be individual so there won't be one approach for everyone even with the same difficulties. The benefit of specialists in OCD is that they will have worked with others who have experienced similar problems and will adapt their approach when it is needed. 

    I also can't see why your health professionals will not be able to discuss the best options for you with the specialist clinics. It sounds like they are taking the right steps.

    Gemma

     

  13. Hi Flourella,

    It sounds to me like you have a good understanding about what National NHS services are available. You're right that the benefits of OHSPIC is that they can tailor treatment, offer at home treatment and are specialists in the treatment of OCD. You would need your CCG to fund the referral, but if you are supported by your local mental health team then that should work in your favour.

    The reason you would use as an argument for OHSPIC over the other clinics is that they can offer outreach nationally for when OCD affects someone at home. Has anyone yet made a referral for you?

    Gemma

     

     

  14. Hi CaringParent,

    If you son is registered with a GP in England, then he can self-refer to his local Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. IAPT services can offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is the current recommended psychological treatment for OCD. Your local IAPT is based on where your GP is registered, so his local IAPT may be where he is now, or where his family home is. Either way, most services can offer remote therapy via telephone or video call, so it might not matter if he lives near his IAPT. 

    You can find local IAPT services here https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/

    Gemma

     

     

  15. Hi Df84,

    I think a lot of people on here will relate to this.

    You went out on a night out that sounded quite challenging with your friend being drunk. You then felt doubt about what happened that evening, which you then exacerbated by starting to think back and worry. One of the specialists always says 'you can't remember something that never happened' and it sounds like that's where you are at the moment. 

    OCD wants certainty, but you're not going to be able to get it. Try your best to let the doubt be there, get on with your day and persist with that over time. I'm sure you know all this after having such helpful therapy, you will get there :)

    Gemma

     

     

  16. 16 hours ago, angels said:

    I am really struggling for the past 6 months and I am back in therapy. And I am finding it so difficult to put in place what I am suppose to be doing. My therapist is nearly a form of reassurance and I am that sensitive everything she is saying is triggering me. My ocd has jumped theme's over the years and the one I've had for the past eight years is analysing the intrusive thoughts around me and my personality, my character am an confident person am I strong. I've spoke to the therapist and she has told me to treat these as ocd thought stop doing compulsions. On a deep level I know its ocd but I can't seem to sake them off or let them go. It's so tiring and I feel so anxious like it's a never ending nightmare. I just want to be free but then I doubt myself maybe there is something wrong here maybe this is a real issue not an ocd issue. When I see the intrusive thoughts as ocd I feel good confident etc... then the ocd is like a running commentary in the back round. I was ontop of this before and was out on my own. Now I feel I am back to having difficulty believing myself. Really worrying about recovery I had ocd from I was 18 I am 41 now. I have had a couple of ocd free years and they where absolutely bliss. I prayer I will get better again 🙏 😞 

    Hi angels,

    I'm so sorry you're really struggling right now after having some OCD free years. It absolutely sucks but that doesn't mean you can't get back to where you were or even a better place still :)

    You mentioned that you keep questioning your personality, if you are confident/strong, why do you think you're questioning yourself in this way? What is worrying you about if you are confident or strong?

    Gemma 

  17. Hi Summer,

    Just wanted to highlight this

    17 hours ago, Summer9173 said:

    the idea of me being disrespectful in a relationship in any way possible just makes me feel sick!

    This is what OCD is using against you. If you feel like cheating is the worst thing you could do, or anything like cheating, then OCD is going to go looking for that threat. That's why when you're in conversation with your supervisor, OCD is essentially wanting you to be sure that you haven't been disrespectful in any way. If you can see what OCD is looking out for and how it's making you feel, then it is easier to not engage with the doubt. 

    Good luck with your new position. Remember that you can ask for reasonable adjustments, and if you do find it is too much then you are allowed to say so and leave if you choose to. No one will force you to keep going. Giving it a go is a massive achievement so be proud of yourself :)

    Gemma

     

     

  18. Hi Nolightleft,

    Can you consider how you might react if your wife came to you feeling unbelievably guilty about fantasies she had had in the past? Or if not your wife, a dear friend? 

    What would you say to them, what would you suggest they do with this dilemma?

    Gemma :)

     

  19. Hi Buttonheart,

    I'm sorry to hear how hard things are at the moment and how frustrating your experiences with the NHS have been. I'm assuming that your local CMHT have suggested you go back to IAPT, is that correct? This is a good and a bad thing. IAPT typically have much shorter waiting times than your CMHT, however, they may have less experience dealing with OCD (although this depends) and only offer shorter term CBT.

    You have a couple of options. You could self-refer back to IAPT, try a course with them and if you are no better then ask them to refer you to the CMHT stating that they have helped you as much as they can. You could alternatively look to see if there is another IAPT locally that you could try.

    Gemma :)

     

     

  20. Hi 000,

    In terms of accessing CBT locally, it depends on where you are in the UK. If you are in England then some IAPT services (adult mental health services) take on patients from 16 years old. You can find your local IAPT on the NHS database here https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/ For some IAPT services it's 17 years old and for others it's 18 years old.

    You can self-refer to IAPT so you wouldn't need to speak to your GP.

    For elsewhere in the UK, it would probably be a referral to your local CAMHS, who should be able to help with this problem, as it is clearly OCD. 

    I agree that you should try and stop the cleaning and trimming as much as you can, completely if possible. The feelings of contamination will fade in time. It's obviously easier to tackle OCD with the support of a therapist, but some people find self-help books good too. One good one is Break Free from OCD.

    Gemma

     

  21. 24 minutes ago, Jess123 said:

    Hello Gemma and thank you :) 

     

    You mentioned maybe discussing medication with my doctor as it isn’t working for my ocd, however I've been on the site for a while anonymously and I’ve seen quite a few people mention that medication doesn’t necessarily help with the ocd, just The anxiety to help you engage in the CBT more? I’m not sure if that’s true it’s only due to my current medication really helping anxiety wise :) 

     

    Hi Jess,

    People's experiences of medication vary massively, but yes on the whole medication helps alongside CBT. It can make the feelings that come along with OCD and challenging it in CBT easier to cope with. Sometimes the effect of a medication wears off and that might be where you want to change dosage, but it would be completely up to you :)

    Gemma

     

     

×
×
  • Create New...