about to seek therapy

[I-am-not-crazy]

Hi all,
I am new to finding out that what I have is OCD. I have had a mild case of tourettes since I was a kid, and always been a little obsessive compulsive, but I am just now finding out about intrusive thoughts, and how they are common with this disorder. I always thought I was just f**cked up. For some reason, I have become an anxious mess for the last seven months, and even though the problems are nothing new, they are much worse to the point where I am looking to get put on medication. I have insurance through my college, and am seeing one of the school's psychiatrists in a few days. I have never talked about most of this stuff to anybody, and am really afraid that this person won't know much about the disorder, and just judge and make me feel worse. I don't think I can go about telling everything right away, but I really want to get on some kind of meds right now, even if it just helps a little. Does anyone have any stories about first seeking therapy? Advice?

 

[Rise Against]

Welcome... I also have OCD as well as SAD. I have gotten therapy for my social anxiety disorder but not for my OCD... I can usually control it though.

 

[madmike]

I have most of your problems (OCD about things like school work, tidiness, hand washing, as well as mild/medium tourettes i think... i have a facial twitch that can get pretty bad) Up until three months ago i also had such terrible anxiety and intrusive thoughts, i really didn't have much hope for the future. Go see a counsellor/psychiatrist certainly, but i would really stay away from the drugs! They don't help, and will probably make you even worse. The only way to come out of it is by changing your whole attitude and outlook towards life...

 

[RedRibbons]

Well, you might want to ask the psychiatrist how much she knows about OCD.. And if she doesn't know much, ask if she can refer you to someone who does know a lot more.

Better yet, what you can do is research OCD specialists in your area (you can search Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in yellowpages or something) and ask for a referral to a specific specialist, saves her the time.

Yellow Pages Local Directory - YELLOWPAGES.COM

You can also do some research and see what kind of medications they prescribe to people suffering from OCD and what kind of Therapy they provide.

NIMH · Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD

OCD Medication: Adults | Obsessive Compulsive Foundation

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Treatments for OCD: Medications-CAMH

UOCD: Treatments: Medication for OCD.

You can learn about these medications if you want.. Ultimately it will be under the discretion of your therapist to decide what the best route is.

Good luck! Keep yourself informed.