My Parents Think my Medications are Ruining my Grades, but I Think it Might be OCD

[throwawayacount477]

Hello,

I am starting to think that I might have OCD. I have an appointment with an OCD specialist scheduled for next month. Unfortunately, my grades this semester have been horrible. My parents believe that my ADHD medications are what hurt my grades, but I think it was might be because of OCD. I had a period where I was convinced that I was a horrible person, and unforgivable. I tried fighting through it the first semester of this college year (while being completely miserable), but I during second semester I didn't feel willing to fight like I did. I stopped doing my assignments, and mostly sat on my bed, skipping in-person classes and barely even leaving my room. I've been starting to realize that this might be OCD, and that has helped with my mood a lot. So I've been slowly been going out in public more often again. My parents have been telling me that they've noticed that I look more pale than usual. I do believe that maybe I need to consult my primary care provider and talk to them about the medication, but my parents told me that any doctor would be "on the side of pharma". How do I go about talking to them about this? I know that they have meta analyses that suggest the effectiveness of ADHD medications, but my parents will always then say that those studies must have been done or funded by pharma companies. It seems really hard though to try to find each and every scientific review supporting my medication that is not done or funded by "big pharma", but it almost seems like the only way to convince them? How do I talk to them about this? I told them that I think that I might have OCD, but they don't seem to believe me, and there's no way in hell that I can tell them the contents of my intrusive thoughts.

[BelAnna]

12 hours ago, throwawayacount477 said:

Hello,

I am starting to think that I might have OCD. I have an appointment with an OCD specialist scheduled for next month. Unfortunately, my grades this semester have been horrible. My parents believe that my ADHD medications are what hurt my grades, but I think it was might be because of OCD. I had a period where I was convinced that I was a horrible person, and unforgivable. I tried fighting through it the first semester of this college year (while being completely miserable), but I during second semester I didn't feel willing to fight like I did. I stopped doing my assignments, and mostly sat on my bed, skipping in-person classes and barely even leaving my room. I've been starting to realize that this might be OCD, and that has helped with my mood a lot. So I've been slowly been going out in public more often again. My parents have been telling me that they've noticed that I look more pale than usual. I do believe that maybe I need to consult my primary care provider and talk to them about the medication, but my parents told me that any doctor would be "on the side of pharma". How do I go about talking to them about this? I know that they have meta analyses that suggest the effectiveness of ADHD medications, but my parents will always then say that those studies must have been done or funded by pharma companies. It seems really hard though to try to find each and every scientific review supporting my medication that is not done or funded by "big pharma", but it almost seems like the only way to convince them? How do I talk to them about this? I told them that I think that I might have OCD, but they don't seem to believe me, and there's no way in hell that I can tell them the contents of my intrusive thoughts.

Hi Throwawayaccount,

I'm sorry you've had such a difficult time with your OCD and that it has been affecting you at college. 

I think that you should maybe talk to your parents about this but just tell them that you have intrusive thoughts rather than discussing the content of the thoughts. 

From reading your post and reference to college (we refer to higher education as University in the UK, although maybe you mean a further education college?) I'm wondering whether you're in the USA/ not in the UK. If so then if possible it might be a good idea to see a Clinical Psychologist who would be able to work out the ways in which your OCD and ADHD affect you and work on some strategies. Your parents might have more time for a Psychologist than a Psychiatrist if they are against medication. 

If you're in the UK then it might be a good idea to see your GP for a referral to a CBT therapist who should be able to confirm that you are suffering from OCD and help you to manage it better. The GP can also discuss the medication situation with you or refer you to a Psychiatrist if needed.

 

 

Edited April 27, 2021 by BelAnna

[throwawayacount477]

Hello @BelAnna,

 

Thanks for your response! I live in the U.S.. Will a Psychologist recommend me medications to take? My parents don't like medication, but I'm hoping that I can eventually convince them otherwise. 

[BelAnna]

9 hours ago, throwawayacount477 said:

Hello @BelAnna,

 

Thanks for your response! I live in the U.S.. Will a Psychologist recommend me medications to take? My parents don't like medication, but I'm hoping that I can eventually convince them otherwise. 

Hi Throwawayaccount, 

In general, or at least in the UK, Clinical Psychologists cannot prescribe medications and you'd need to see either your normal doctor or a Psychiatrist for a prescription. A Psychologist could help you to work out the ways in which your OCD is affecting you and help you to do some CBT tasks to start treating your OCD. 

Maybe it would be actually better to see a Psychiatrist if you're keen to get both the ADHD and OCD addressed from a medical perspective. It is likely though that you would need some psychotherapy (CBT is the main treatment for OCD) alongside the medication for the OCD itself.