Chris1987

Just this doesn't feel the same as what i had last time. Last time I was obsessed with trying to prive I had done nothing wrong, it did bring me anxiety but I understand where the anxiety came from. Now it just comes on without warning and then I'm questioning why and what does it mean. Becuse the feeling is horrible I then think about not being able to cope and what if it gets so unbearable I do something stupid. How can anxiety make me think this way? Why can't I dismiss the anxiety or change the way I react to it? Does this sound like OCD? I feel like I'm wasting doctors time and they won't be able to do anything for me as I've already been on a CBT course. I find explaining how I'm feeling really complicated to get across.

Getting a diagnosis is so hard. The GP can't diagnose me but I have verbally been told by a psychiatrist that i do have OCD. Yes this is correct. This is when I experienced something I've never experienced before. My life was perfect up to that night then bang. I'm somewhat over that now and now I've got this. I'm in a constant state of fight or flight and it's so scary. I feel like I have no hope and the doctor will only up the dosage to 200mg the max but I don't want this as there is no more room to go higher. When in that moment of despair what does one do?

I'm currently taking 150mg of sertraline. I'm not surenif it's doing anything though. Someone mentioned changing but aren't they all the same. I recently did an 8 week cbt programme for OCD, this was over teams and with a group of people. I found it okay but id prefer to talk to someone one to one. I just want to learn if there are any tools to combat the anxiety and the feeling of going mad. I want to be the one in the driving seat

I haven't been here for a while and I feel so confused. I'm not sure whether I'm experiencing OCD, GAD, or something more sinister. Just to recap, 5 years ago I suffered really badly, believing I did something so wrong and obsessing over it. Five years on, that issue has mostly gone. Now I'm experiencing severe anxiety. Is it OCD? Basically, I get these feelings of extreme anxiety to the point where I can't think straight and feel like I'm going crazy. The thoughts that come with it are horrible. I worry about not being able to cope, losing control, and doing something stupid. As much as I want to live—and I have a good life—I worry about my future mental state. I want to try and have some control, but to do that I need to know what I'm dealing with. Is it OCD? I get intrusive feelings of bad anxiety out of nowhere, followed by thoughts of worry, doom, helplessness, and death. I can't seem to dismiss them, and they feel like they mean something. Sometimes I just run upstairs and lie in bed, which helps a little. Or i think I'm going to buy loads of books regarding anxiety and OCD to read up on it. When I think like this it's a little reassurance. Just to recap, 5 years ago I believe I had OCD, but I never had anxiety as extreme as this. Now it's intrusive feelings of anxiety out of nowhere. Then I question why I'm feeling this way and go down a rabbit hole of the worst possible outcomes. I just wish I had some control over my own mind, if that makes sense. Any advice would be much appreciated.

I really dont know but all I hear is CBT is what's needed to progress.

I am currently enrolled in a 12-week group course that is apparently CBT. I am in the fifth week, and we have covered topics such as thoughts, thought infusion, anxiety, mindfulness, and the idea that thoughts are not necessarily facts. However, I must admit that I have not seen any significant improvement in my condition. I was aware of this information beforehand, but it was insufficient to help me manage my difficulties. I appreciate the efforts of the course facilitators to assist me, but I had higher expectations for the program. Essentially, the course focuses on the way we think and how we engage with our thoughts. Despite my attempts to dismiss the negative thoughts in my head, they persist, and the anxiety they cause is overwhelming. I am not certain if I still have OCD, as I feel that my current state is different. Four years ago, I was undoubtedly fixated on the notion that I had committed a grave and life-altering error. While I am gradually overcoming that phase after five years, I am now experiencing anxiety without any apparent thoughts. Essentially, it strikes me without any discernible reason, and then I attach thoughts to it. These thoughts are deeply unsettling and frightening, such as the fear of losing control and descending into madness and ending it all. Why am I thinking this way? This can be OCD as the anxiety was there first that came out of nowhere. Naturally, I do not wish for this to happen to me, as I have a fulfilling life apart from this issue. However, I yearn for the ability to alter the way anxiety influences my thought patterns. I wish I could replace the pervasive sense of doom, death, and fear with something more positive. To be completely candid, I have been contemplating my future and the state of my mental health. I am genuinely apprehensive about my own mind.

Hello, I hope this is an appropriate place to ask for some advice. I understand this is a sensitive topic, but I've found helpful information here before. I'm currently taking 150mg of sertraline, and I've noticed that I'm unable to ejaculate. I understand that this is a common side effect of sertraline, but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if so, what did you do about it? I know there are a few different SSRIs available in the UK, so I was wondering if anyone had a similar experience and switched antidepressants for this reason. I know this is a sensitive topic, and I feel a bit embarrassed about it, but even though my partner understands, it does affect our relationship. Thank you for any advice you can offer.

Nothing to be honest as I'm a busy father. I try not to show how I'm feeling. I just ride it out.

I am currently experiencing a state of heightened anxiety, characterized by feelings of panic, worry, and fear. I am particularly concerned about the potential impact of my mental health on my family and my ability to cope with the challenges ahead. I find myself consumed by negative thoughts about the future, particularly regarding the possibility of my mental state deteriorating further. This current episode of anxiety is particularly perplexing as I did not experience similar symptoms during a previous period of instability four years ago. The intensity and nature of my current anxiety feel unprecedented and overwhelming. My mind races at an alarming pace, constantly generating the most dire scenarios. I am plagued by fears about my future, even though I recognize that such fears may be unfounded. The severity of my anxiety can be debilitating, sometimes leading to physical symptoms such as nausea. Amidst this turmoil, I am also concerned about the effectiveness of my current medication. I fear that it may eventually cease to provide relief, leaving me without hope for improvement.

I do not believe that this is OCD, but then again, OCD can manifest in different ways in different individuals, so it is possible that it could be. In essence, anxiety comes on suddenly, without any apparent reason. The thoughts that accompany it are distressing and frightening. I do not believe that I do anything to try to get rid of these thoughts and feelings, as there is nothing that I can do. I simply endure them and continue on with my life. The only thing that I do is inform my partner whenever this happens.

However, the thoughts arise when the anxiety begins. When this occurs, I experience physical discomfort and a sense of hopelessness. Some of the thoughts that come to mind are: "I am unable to manage this," "What if the medication is ineffective? What will I do?" "I cannot abandon my family," "Will I ever recover?" and "What if this drives me insane and I do something foolish?" It is important to note that I did not experience these thoughts four years ago when I believed I had done something wrong. This is a new development, and I am uncertain whether it is related to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Hello, Thank you for your response. My sleep is satisfactory. This all began shortly before Christmas when I experienced a panic attack during the night. However, I find that going to bed is a relief as it is when I feel less anxious. I am hopeful that this will pass or that the thoughts and feelings associated with it will change. In the meantime, I am learning to react to the thoughts differently.

I'm not sure what I'm experiencing now is ocd or not. I believe I was experiencing it for the past 5 years. I was convinced and somewhat still am that ive done this horrible thing even there is no proof to suggest and I was getting much better over time to the point where I felt I was back to normal. Anyways over Xmas I had a panic attack whilst in bed and ever since then I've had the thoughs and feelings of "I can't cope with this intense anxiety, what if I get to the point where I just cant live like it anymore". I went to the docs who prescribed me sertraline again and I found for the first few weeks it got worse but the doctor said that can be expected. After around 6 weeks I felt better, anxiety nearly gone but then one night it came back with and the same thoughts and feelings kicked in not being able to cope and thinking about what if it comes to a point where i do something stupid. So went back to doc who then used my sertraline which I've been on for 4 weeks now. The anxiety comes and goes but when it is here it's just feels like a big dark cliid over me and I'm not going to lie but suicide appears in my head. I don't want to do anything alo g those lines as I have a loving family by why is it I'm thinking this way. The funny thing is the thing that I obsessed over for 5 years is not the thing that I'm worried about now. I do have ocd and I feel it's an extra factor as I feel im obsessing over these thoughts but I don't know if a person without ocd does this or not. I just wish the thoughts were about something esle not somwthing thats end all. I just don't want to do anything and all happiness is sucked out of me. I'm genuinely worried about panicking about panicking if that makes sense. I worried what if it all becomes to much, what's that going to feel like and how am I going to react. I'm not sure if this is the work of ocd, the sertraline having adverse effect. Has anyone felt like this and what did you do. I hate the feeling of anxiety, it scares the hell out of me, I'm genuinely scared of my future mental health.

I'm waiting to see seennfir either HIT or CBT Thanks

Hello, Not really an OCD question but a medication question. I have been taking sertraline now for about 8/9 weeks, the first 3/4 I felt worse than I did before I started. The following weeks got much better to the point my anxiety felt like it had gone away. I've had a fab few weeks but yesterday I had this sudden feeling of dread and anxiety and my mind latched onto it. Today I'm feeling more anxious and worrying about it. My worries are "What if the sertraline is wearing off and there is no hope for me then" "what if I can't handle the horrible feeling of dread and worry I migjt do something stupid" My question can this happen. Can you still have moments when you feel like you did before the medication? I'm just really worried now and obsessing over the negative outcomes and going down a rabbit hole that feels where I'm going to go. Any advice or experience would be great.

Hi Angels. I'm really the wrong person to be asking as 4 years on and I'm still obsessing. I do try and lable it as ocd but there's always that what if it isn't ocd. I believe this is a common thing too. I'm afraid to lable it as 100% ocd just incase it isn't. I'm really sorry this not the answer you want so hopefully someone else might be able to help.

See now this bothers me as makes my anxiety rise. Not blaming you at all just reading something that might make me feel bad and then I obsess over it. Basically I have used your example above and applied it to my situation. Basically 4 years ago I felt like I did something really bad, I had no idea what it was, no thought, no image but just all the thoughts and feelings of wrong doing. At the time of it happening I tried and tried to retrace my steps and retrace my my memory at the time and there's nothing. I went to the ends of the word to try and prove I did nothing wrong. Now I'm afraid that one day I'll wake up in the middle of the night or dream about the missing but of memory that I did do this thing but with this there's no going back to check to prove like you finding the file. I hope this makes sense and again this is not a negative at you it's just made me think.....what if that happens to me

I've been there too. Give this a read https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/stronger-fear/201912/ocd-isn-t-thought-problem-it-s-feeling-problem

Okay thanks for your input all. Again it's much appreciated.

Over Christmas I had a panic attack and since then I've been in a state of constant fight or flight mode. The anxiety is horrible. When I was having the attack the thoughts of suicide were present. I've never had this before and it scared me so much. Since that night I've been in a state of constant anxiety and thoughts of suicide are constantly coming up. I don't know if it's a side effect of sertraline as I've only been on them for 3 weeks or of its ocd. These thoughts are horrible. Just to clarify I do not want to act upon these thoughts but I've had thoughts of "what if this all gets too much, what if I do something" I have completely changed since that night. I don't want to do anything, I'm worried, feel doomed, feel scared and just really anxious. I'm constantly having these suicide thoughts and like I said I don't know if its ocd as I'm constantly thinking about them or a side effect. Also does ocd cause anxiety? It's mad as my last problem that I've had for the past 4 years is in the back of my mind now as this is now concerning me but I feel deep down it all stems from it.

Thank you all. I've been on sertraline before about 3 years back but it wasn't for anxiety more ocd. Now I'm experiencing extreme anxiety I'm back on them. I never felt this way before when I was on them previously. I'm going to the doctors this morning just to ask if this is normal to be getting worse before I get better. I really hope I can get past this. Thanks again

Hello I'm in a constant state of anxiety. Stuck in the fight or flight mode and I cannot stick it. My thoughts are all negative and lead in a downward spiral. Been like this since a panic attack over Christmas and having really bad thoughts about not coping. Doctor prescribed me sertraline that I've been on for two weeks, I feel worse than I did back two weeks ago. I'm not sure if this is a side effect, normal effect or just that I'm getting worse. I'm constantly feel doomed, fearful and worried about my future mental health. I can't think positive it's all negative and the thoughts of "what if you can't cope with this for much longer" are here. Why is my mind constantly churning over these thoughts of what if I do something stupid. It's really getting to me. I don't want to do anything, I just want to curl up and cry but that won't help. I'm not even sure if this is an ocd post.

I think I do too much researching to be honest. I find something that inrelate to and my anxiety subsides but it comes back. I feel I need go read what I have read previously knowing full well what it already says. I feel this is the ocd side then. I'm hoping these tablets will kick in soon so I can start to get my life back on track

I've been to my GP and they have prescribed sertraline so hopefully that will kick in after a few weeks. I'm 99% sure I got OCD but could never say 100% just incase. I read about GAD and it ticks all boxes but didn't know if you could have both or didn't know if it was OCD alone. It comes in waves and its horrible. Luckily I do have a good support network around me and I've very open about everything but when I talk about it I feel better then don't know if that's a compulsion of seeking reassurance as I feel better after a good talk. Thank for replying back

Does anyone else suffer with spiraling out of control thoughts. I don't know if it's ocd or genuine fear and worry with pending doom. Does anyone else feel they don't have control of their own mind? I try and be rational but the other side always wins. Does anyone else worry to the point that they feel they can't do this anymore? Does anyone else think about their future and how their mental state is going to be? For me it always happens in the middle of the night. I'll get up to use the loo, come back to bed and I feel like I'm having a panic attack but my mind is going 100mph it's all negative, fear, worry and then a downward spiral to the end conclusion of you know what you have to do if you can't cope with this anymore. I'm not sure if this is an ocd post to be honest but I'm just in a constant state of panic and anxious, my only rest bite is when I go to bed. When i wake up in the mornings I just feel I don't want to get out of bed and the anxious feeling is there straight away. This had come on out of the blue over Christmas I was fine before. I felt I was over my past blip 4 years ago but it was something I would think about every day but it something I'll never let go because I can't. I feel like I need to keep my guard up as by letting it go it will then come true at some point. When I say this is a sensitive post I just want to know if anyone else feels like there's no way out and have had thoughts of what might happen to you. For the record I'm not suicidal but have had thoughts/worried what if I don't get over this how will I cope. I've never felt this way before. I'm negative about everything. I see no positives in myself and can't see me getting better only thoughts of me getting worse and thoughts of me not being able to cope with it. It's like telling me you haven't got long left as it going to get worse. I feel im afraid of my own mind and I don't have control.