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Hi Kemu I really wanted to reply here as I feel like I was in a very similar situation. Unfortunately it can be so hard to get a diagnosis, which is very frustrating. I’m afraid I don’t know much about Scotland in terms of getting diagnosed as I know it’s different to here. I was very lucky that I was able to get a private diagnosis. But at the end of the day, someone telling me I had OCD didn’t make a huge amount of difference. I knew I had it, I think my OCD brain just needed confirmation (it is the doubting disease after all ). Most people who have OCD probably haven’t got a diagnosis, but you can still seek help I think being honest with the doctor is the best way forward, as scary as it is. OCD-UK has some great resources as someone mentioned previously. in terms of telling other people, I think it’s a good idea, as long as you’re comfortable with it. You do not have to go into detail about the intrusive thoughts. Just simply say, I have OCD and I wanted to let you know. I told my boss and it lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders. Your boss sounds very understanding so I’m sure you’ll have no issues at all! I’ve spoken to selective friends/family about my OCD, again you can tell them as much or as little as you want to. It’s whatever you feel comfortable with

This is an amazing book, it really helped me understand what intrusive thoughts are and how they ‘stick’

Hi Chris, I’ve been taking sertraline for almost 2 years and my experience during the first few weeks sounds very similar to yours. It’s very normal to have up and down periods. You’re still in the early stages. The overthinking is your OCD, as it is known as the doubting disorder! My best advice is to keep pushing through, and absolutely consult your doctor through the process. The first few months for me were very tricky but I kept going and it was the best thing I ever decided to do. as someone mentioned previously, SSRIs are by no means a cure for OCD, but it makes it so much easier to deal with. hope things get better! Please let me know if you have any other questions about sertraline - I know that would have helped me a lot.

Someone here who has an OCD diagnosis with no physical compulsions I’ve had many themes, all of taboo topics, was very confused, spent countless hours obsessing, crying, overthinking about it. Questioned whether it was OCD due to lack of physical compulsions. But - mental compulsions absolutely do exist, and this was made very clear to me by my psychiatrist when I was diagnosed. I’ve accepted this part of me now and I understand these behaviours more. Someone who has just started on their journey could find this very confusing or upsetting, as I’m sure I would have a while ago. so please know all OCD is OCD, and it comes in many shapes and sizes.

Hi all, I’ve recently had some amazing news at my work, basically meaning I’m having a big step up in my role and making massive progress with my teaching career. I’ve literally been on cloud 9, and thinking about where I was two years ago, it’s an incredible feeling. today I’ve began feeling quite anxious, not necessarily my OCD kicking in, I can’t say that I’m having more intrusive thoughts than usual, just having more anxiety. I just wondered if this is something other people experience, obviously it’s going to be a very big change and I think this is the reality setting in. Any advice on how to cope with it? thank you <3

This month marks 2 years since my lowest point with my OCD, where I was suffering tremendously and I had no value of life left. 2 years later everything has changed and I’ve got my quality of life back. In the hardest times, it seems like OCD will never allow you to have happiness but you can absolutely survive it I wanted to share this win with you all to show that things do get better, I honestly thought they never would and I am at my happiest I’ve been in years

Hello, This might seem like an odd enquiry, but I thought I’d ask people who would know best. I’ve suffered with anxiety for many many years, I accessed CBT on two occasions with undiagnosed OCD, so the treatment probably wasn’t the best thing for me. I’ve been diagnosed with OCD for about a year and a half now. When I was really struggling to cope, I was put on SSRIs, and I’ve been on them for about a year now. If I’m honest they have worked absolute wonders, and really gave me a quality of life back. I have never accessed treatment specifically to tackle OCD, which I understand is CBT with ERP? As I’m at a point where life is manageable, is this something I need to consider having? Unfortunately there is no way I could afford private so I would have to go through the NHS. I just wouldn’t want to feel like I’m taking away from anyone who is more desperate than me. was just something I was thinking about. Thank you!

Hi summer, I’m diagnosed with both. OCD was diagnosed last year and ADHD was about 3 months ago. I think there can be a big overlap but I also know there are key differences too if it’s something that’s really bothering you (which I know when you have OCD it’s hard not to think about 24/7 ) then just go to your doctor. There’s a thing in the UK called NHS ‘right to choose’. Long story short - a few private psychiatry companies work with the NHS to provide ADHD assessments to adults for free. It essentially cuts waiting time in half, through the NHS, it’s about 2 years for an ADHD assessment, but through right to choose it took 6 months for me I’m currently waiting for medication, which is also a 6 month process. That’s where I’m at with both my conditions really. I’m not sure about ADHD meds and how that’ll impact my OCD or the SSRIs I take though. but yeah, you’re not alone!! Please please let me know if you need any help or advice and I’m happy to give it to you, I was in your exact position and I know how frustrating it is

Anyone absolutely hate those posts that are like ‘share this or bad luck’ or ‘post a picture of this or you’ll have a bad year’ etc. I remember when I was younger and social media first came about, there were so many of these and they used to petrify me, I genuinely thought my mum would die if I didn’t like a post My main gripe with it now is that grown adults still share them. Like reallyyyy I know people can post whatever they want but I’d have thought we’d have grown out of those posts.

I know this is a massive discussion topic, I regularly visit the support groups and this is one that has been discussed many times. This is one aimed for people who go through the menstrual cycle (sorry to those who don’t ). I’m still trying to figure out if there is a correlation but my OCD really seems to flare up around my periods. Today I had a really intense bout of intrusive thoughts, like out of the blue unpleasant imagery. Way more than I usually would. My reaction to the thoughts has actually been quite controlled, I’ve managed to not acknowledge most of them. I know hormones can make you feel all over the place, so it’s not unusual to feel out of sorts, just wondered really if other people find they have the same? I also wondered whether it can have anything to do with contraception, like being on the pill etc. it really makes me sad how there’s such little research on the whole thing, not just OCD but the correlation between menstruation and mental health.

Well I feel like I totally jinxed myself by making this post because today has really not been a good day I’m really struggling with old intrusive thoughts coming back. And it’s making me so so physically anxious, which is really unpleasant when it’s been a long time since you’ve felt that way. I’m just so disappointed. I had been in an amazing place for so long. I just hate how OCD completely warps your perspective. The analogy of OCD being a car passenger is so accurate. It’s been a backseat passenger for a long time but now it feels like it’s controlling the steering wheel.

Hi all, I really wanted to make this post to shine a positive light. I’ve noticed this past week my OCD has been wriggling its way back into my brain. I work in education, so I’ve had 6 weeks off work. I’m back at work on Monday so I think it’s no coincidence that old thoughts are reoccurring. One of my main past themes surrounded my work, and it was so hard for me. So I think it’s the anticipation of going back to work after a long time off. However I am putting in all the effort to not let it impact me in a negative way. Of course that’s a hard thing to do, but I’m quite proud of myself. I’ve resisted reassurance seeking (my biggest compulsion to tackle). I’ve even done small exposures like looking at photos of me with my nieces and nephews and not feeling anxious about it. I know once I’m back into the routine of things and being at work, I’m sure the OCD will subside again. I guess I wanted to make this post to help anyone who has had or will have little blips where past thoughts come back. And to know that it doesn’t mean you’re going to be in a terrible place again. I could have (and wanted to) to make a post talking about my anxiety probably seeking the reassurance that wouldn’t have helped me in the long run. hope this can be helpful!!

Hi, this is a bit random really but does anyone else have a issue with grinding their teeth? I know it’s an anxiety response for me, not sure if it’s quite a physical compulsion but it could be. I really don’t know how to stop it though. I’ve only recently realised how bad it is, as it’s such an automatic thing for me. For example, I was just on holiday this past week in Cornwall, we have a 10 month old dog, so it was his first time away too (which of course is a stressful situation for anyone ) but I was grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw so bad that my mouth was in agony. Also I can’t even begin to fathom going to the dentist, which I’m sure is the right thing to do. But I haven’t been in years and I don’t think I can mentally or financially do it

Hi Izzy. I don’t very often reply to posts on here, I’m more of a silent reader. But I wanted to offer some advice (trying my best not to give you reassurance). I can see you’re having a really tough time, a place I was in a year ago. As most people have said, the only thing you can do is to not engage with the thoughts. OCD brains can come up with the most bizarre and disturbing things, but at the end of the day they hold no power, they mean nothing. Because you have an emotional attachment to them they will keep occurring and that’s the cycle you have to break, by simply moving on. I promise you that’s the only way I coped - I know my intrusive thoughts don’t reflect on me as a person, I just let them drift by. I’ve also seen you ask about medication. When I was struggling the most, I needed something to ‘take the edge off’ if you will. I’ve been on medication for a year and it has really given me a better quality of life. It is a great tool to help you cope with the thoughts and manage to live life in a much more positive way. I hope this has been helpful

Hi, Just wanted to make a post as I’m starting to notice a bit of a flare up in my OCD again. I’ve had a few different themes and they usually take in turns having a bit of limelight ROCD is one I’ve had in the past and I’ve noticed tiny bits of it creeping in again. This is one I find really hard to deal with because my partner is the person I confide in the most and I don’t want to upset him. He’s just gone away on holiday for a week, the first time in 5 years. I’m guessing it’s not a coincidence that I’m having these anxieties the same time he’s gone away. Im basically trying to ask if anyone has experienced the same thing, without asking for reassurance Very small changes in my life seem to trigger these things. Usually it will settle very quickly, so I’m hoping for the same thing