Death Spiral

LeFresne

New member
I'm new to this forum so you'll have to forgive my naivete in constructing a new thread from a very specific personal problem.

I was diagnosed with OCD in July of 2010. I received therapy and medication, but my health insurance ran out in May of 2011 and I lost access to both. No weening off of the medication, no goodbye session with tips on how to deal with my OCD solo, just a clean break. I was unemployed or working temp jobs from May until December, so I've been unable to obtain health insurance. I'm working in an office right now and I'm set to enroll in the benefits program, but I've already been there for a month and I'm not eligible for health insurance for another three.

I honestly don't think I can wait that long. I get maybe three hours of sleep a night now. I hate my job so much I sit at my desk and do absolutely nothing all day long and spend my nights plotting my suicide. Every morning I get up, I walk into the kitchen, grab the butcher knife and I set the point over my carotid artery. The only reason I don't plunge it into my neck is because I'm afraid of the debt I'll accrue if I don't successfully kill myself.

In the process of looking up firearms dealers I started wondering whether or not this was a rational thing to do--so here are the circumstances: I'm in massive debt from student loans, I can't find a job that pays well enough so I won't go into default, I'm basically alone in fighting my OCD (I have a boyfriend and we discuss it, but these days it's just a constant source of frustration for us both and is driving us apart), I can't eat because of obsessive thoughts around food and I'm literally tearing my hair out. I'm no longer productive; I can't read philosophy anymore because I can't focus long enough. Everything that I identified with has been systematically stripped from my by this disorder and the prospect of waiting another three months before I go through the process of finding a doctor and beginning medication all over again seems too daunting a task, especially after having gone this long without and suffering every single day as a result.

I've been on suicide hotlines. I think the operators are condescending and they never help me after I explain that I don't have health insurance. I've tried to apply for state health insurance but was denied and I don't make enough money to afford to pay a private insurer. I've visited clinics with sliding scales but because of my income bracket and complete absence of insurance they refuse to see me. Even the state clinics designed for the unemployed and the underemployed won't see me. I'm 22. I look healthy. I have a stellar academic record. I'm totally normal but for the OCD and I believe wholeheartedly that it will kill me any day now.

Pathos is an unintended consequence here. My ultimate intention is to find someone, anyone, who is in or has been in similar circumstances who might be able to help me. If anyone has advice, I would greatly appreciate it.
 
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DeadmanWalking

Well-known member
Well, welcome to here. I hope that you find someone here who you can relate to as well. I'm kinda nervous about posting my thoughts because I've never had to experience something like this, so I'm not sure that I can help. But, here I go:

For your sleeping problem, have you tried any sleeping pills or something? Or anything in particular that will make you drowsy, like, for me, watching a boring movie or listening to a lecture::eek::. Your mind is going haywire right now due to lack to sleep, as I'm sure that you're aware, so (I hope) your mind isn't saying what it really means. Concerning your boyfriend, how is he a form of stress? What is it about what he does that adds onto your problems? One day, sit him down and just peacefully talk about it. Just bring it up to him and ask him if he could stop because it's really stressing you out. Job-wise, even if you hate your job, still try your best in it. A half-assed attitude won't make anything better; you might just end up losing your job, in fact. There's no guarantee that there'll be another job waiting for you once you get out, so hold on to that one and look for other jobs in the area. Once you've found one that works for you, and you get accepted, then you can quit. Now, about eating, can't you force yourself to eat? I don't have OCD so I can't really help you, but, if you haven't eaten in a while, can't you just pick up something to eat in the house, even if it's nothing but a sandwich or an apple, because you need something in your system to get you through the days. I'm sorry if I wasn't of any help.
 

LeFresne

New member
Thank you for your response. I appreciate the help and the attendant sentiments.

I think that I ought to avoid sleeping pills because I tend too take to many of them and develop a habit very quickly. It's typical of OCD patients to develop addictions more easily than most.

Also, to clarify: My boyfriend doesn't annoy me. We've been dealing with my OCD long before we even knew what it was but it gets bad enough at times that it becomes a strain on our relationship. It's stressful and I don't want to constantly drag him down here with me. I talk to him about it and he helps when he can (including getting up with me in the middle of the night to wait out a panic attack with me). He's pretty great, but this disorder is a heavy burden. I think the suicidal tendencies will be too much.

If I can become sufficiently optimistic to do the other things you have suggested, then I will be in much better shape than I am currently. However, my entire problem centers around the fact that is becoming increasingly difficult to make those kinds of decision (to stay at work, to eat, to sleep, to drink) because everything is being crowded out by my compulsions, my obsessions, my intrusive thoughts and the subsequent depression that has taken me over.
 

DeadmanWalking

Well-known member
Well, is there anyone in your life who you think can act as your moderator? Like, if you did decide to take them, to make sure that you don't go overboard and take too many?

Regarding your depression, what do you think is the root? If your depression had a starting point, at what point of your life did it start and what caused it? If we're to get rid of your depression, then we have to start at the cause and then work our way through the wed.
 

1BlackSheep

Well-known member
Well, this is probably not an optimal choice, but given that you don't have many alternatives right now, I'll toss the idea out there. Have you looked into any studies being done by universities? I often hear of studies being done on depression, anxiety, etc at one of the very prestigious universities near me and they pay for medication, tests, etc.
 
Okay, so you have OCD, depression, and panic attacks (& money worries).. as your most major problems right now? And ADHD also it seems (as can't focus). But the most major problem is definately your suicidal urges, so the absolute first thing to do for you, which i'm sure everyone would agree, is to get some VERY URGENT HELP with that. Since you unfortanately can't get any therapy, and i'm unsure about your "support structure" (people), you will therefore need to HELP YOURSELF, and you need to do it IMMEDIATELY (right this very second). There is absolutely no time to lose.

Here a very good starting point for you ---> Suicidal.com - When No One Knows Your Pain - A Place of Hope & Compassion for the Depressed & Suicidal

Also Google this --> "suicidal help"

Best of luck to you. And DON'T give up, NEVER give up. Think of all this sh*t as a LIFE LESSON. So you NEED to KEEP LIVING so that the universe can teach you some (hard but very valuable) life lessons. And know that MANY others, and certainly many on SocialPhobiaWorld, have been through the type of "hell" you are going through now, and perhaps even worse - and SURVIVED, and then GOTTEN BETTER (!!!)

Personally, i have got OCPD (which drains me on a daily basis), are depression-prone (major depression i'm talking of), i've had some minor & one major panic attack (& also had depression at the time), as well as a HUGE list of other pretty major problems. Yet i "survive". It's not easy, far from it, and it is quite an "art" to handling everything. I just "keep on keeping on", trying to improve every day, little-bit-by-little-bit. And i gain my few mini pleasures every day, and that's good enough for me. So that's what you should do as well. Don't expect too much from life. Expect some pain & suffering, it's just "part of the deal". Be greatful of any small joys you can get. Keep trying. Escape from your problems regularly. Don't give in to your fleeting (but strong) impulses. Let your head dictate what happens, not your heart (as that can very easily be swayed/manipulated). Keep the hope. Nothing last forever. Your life WILL get better...
 

Fitchy

Active member
poor thing. Just hang in there i wish i had better advice! What state do you live in? Go to your dshs and try to apply for some sort of health insurance. I qualified for a certain type of disability because of ptsd and ocd. Try to go to groupnor something. There has to be a way. Try to explain everything to your boyfriend tell him how you feel and how you need him by your side because you are going through a rough time. Do not stop reaching out!!!
 
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