To ask if you have OCD or are a social worker you reassure me please?

[Ocdandme]

NC. Over the last few years I have had a really difficult time medically. I went from being fit and healthy and active to many operations, tumour removal, full hysterectomy, full menopause etc and a marriage breakdown. I have also been caring alone for two children, one of whom has some additional needs. Last year I was also mentally affected by a terror attack and on the back of this I developed some anxiety.
I have been having cbt for this and it's become clear that I have developed some OCD issues. Mostly around checking things are where I think they are and making sure things are clean (Hoovering four times a day) before I can relax or go to bed or going over conversations I have had with people over and over etc.
No intrusive thoughts about hurting other people or myself or anything.
My children are 13 and 15.

Following group CBT I was referred for individual cbt for the OCD and have got myself in a right state.
I am a single parent and ex is barely in contact at all as he isn't a very nice person but I have great support from my family and spend the weekends there.

Ive got myself into a right state as when they did the further referral for the OCD they asked for details of my boys schools. The boys have 100% attendance and are doing well at school but we have had issues with the one with additional needs with self esteem and bad friendships but this has now been resolved.

I've got myself in a stupid state due to the anxiety that my OCD means they will refer to social services and I will lose my children somehow. Googling OCD and social services is unhelpful and throws up some frightening stories.

If you have OCD or are a social worker please talk me down. How are parents with mental health issues dealt with? Especially if the parent is openly engaging with treatment?

I’m a social worker WITH OCD!

Honestly please don’t worry, your OCD is no reason for them to refer you to children’s services.

It sounds like you have been through a really tough time, please be kind to yourself x

It sounds like you've had an incredibly hard time OP!

I hope Sparkles post has reassured you that you will not be referred to child services.

It is likely that those with OCD who have been referred to child services are either unable to care sufficiently for their kids due to the nature of their compulsions OR have been misunderstood by social services (for example if they have intrusive thoughts related to accidentally causing harm e.g. see a knife and have an intrusive thought about it, which is a very common OCD symptom but to someone with no experience of OCD can sound alarming).

Basically you have nothing to worry about. Just keep going with CBT!

I have a friend with ocd and another who's a social worker with ocd. Both have children, both have engaged with support services both before and after having children, one quite heavily during pregnancy (As couldn't take medication). Neither have had any issues re children's services. No need to worry!

Thank you so much!
It's been a tough day and I had got myself into a mess of anxiety about this.

Not a social worker but I’m a midwife who works alongside them. I see many many mothers who have far more serious mental health problems and they are well supported, please do not worry.

I think it’s just a standard question they ask everyone on the form. if someone’s mental health got really really bad ( like hospitalised bad) they know they have kids needing to be looked after.

I would be astonished if they referred in your situation as they are so stretched and you don’t sound like you need support.

Please don’t panic about this. It’s just a standard question they ask everyone.

Oh also just to say that if you are referred to a social worker then that doesn't mean that you will be referred to child services.

I have OCD, it will drive you to seek reassurance, and that that will resolve the anxiety but though it might work temporarily it doesn't help..Google is not a friend to OCD sufferers (bitter experience lol!) , compulsive checking of facts and stories is part of the cycle of reassurance seeking. Best thing you can do is recognise the thought (CBT technique) 'im having anxious thoughts about my kids and social services involvement' and then do something else, knitting, washing up whatever. Rinse and repeat. Breathing techniques etc. Refusing to engage with the thoughts by looking for 'evidence' takes practice but is possible. OCD is a bugger so my full empathy!

I'm an adult social worker with a background in mental health. I would not even consider referring this to childrens services, I'm not even sure what "this" is.

Anyway we're not supposed to make any sort of referral to childrens services without parental consent unless the child is at imminent risk.

I was referred to local talking therapies services and had initial phonecall with them today. They asked about my DCs and I got really freaked out too... Apparently it's policy in the NHS as a kind of safeguarding precautionary thing. X

Thanks everyone.
Susie the seeking facts is very much something I am doing at the moment. With lots of things. thank you I will try that.