OCD and therapy

[itsbrooke]

Hi everyone.

I am so lost right now and have nobody else to turn to as everybody around me is exhausted by my mental health issues.

Since lockdown 2020, I developed a serve and debilitating type of OCD that took away every ounce of the things that made me, me. I completely lost myself and to this day I still mourn the person I was before this horrendous condition took hold of my life :( last year, i began therapy and medication and the combination of the two really really helped. I got to the point in summer 2021, that I no longer needed to take my medicine or attend therapy anymore. However, during early January this year, I have begun to spiral again. I tried to ignore it, hoping it would eventually go away on its own. But instead it is getting worst and worst to the point where I can barely function, everything I do leads to obsessive thoughts and sheer panic. Which leads to me seeking reassurance off of my family. This was fine at first, but I know that everyone is getting tired of having to reassure me on the same things over and over. I feel like such a burden.

Unfortunately, due to a financial change, I'm no longer able to pay for my therapist. She charged £65 per hour and this is just not possible for me to afford. I am devastated as she is the only person besides my mum that I've ever trusted enough to open up to and let in. However, due to my total desperation, I understand that I might need to consider other options. I've tried the NHS, but the waiting list is so so long and I honestly don't think I can wait that long for a CONSULTATION. I feel completely lost and overwhelmingly alone. I just want help, but I don't even know where to start!

Hi op, I see my therapist every other week, sometimes every third week when I could really do with seeing her every week. Do you have any of your belongings that you no longer need that you could sell on ebay/vinted to provide funds towards a couple of sessions while you work out a longer term plan? I sell my unwanted items I’ve accumulated over the years on ebay to help fund my therapy, also helps my OCD to see more space appearing & have less clutter to keep clean, you’d be surprised at what some things are worth that are just stuck in the back of your cupboards or garage.

Also worth a look www.ocduk.org/overcoming-ocd/self-help/ there is a forum on there which might provide some support to you.

All the best

Hi itsbrooke
Can I ask is it contamination/germs that is your OCD theme or something else?

So sorry that you’re in this position

Have you gone on the nhs waiting list? I know they’re incredibly long, but the support is well worth it once you get there. There’s always a chance that there will be more investment and you end up waiting less time than you expect.

In your previous therapy, did you build a ‘toolbox’ on things to try when your OCD is bad? Unfortunately it is something that will flare up again in times of stress. Have you tried things like diffusion techniques or mindfulness? I’ve got a folder of sheets of paper, each with a different technique written in big letters. When I’m struggling I go through it and try them one by one.

Does exercise help? Even something like a short walk or 10 min yoga video?

Did your therapist teach you how to use exposure therapy to gentle and safely confront your obsessions? Asking others for reassurance isn’t usually a helpful thing in the long term. I usually feel better after a week of doing exposures every day, sometimes even just a few days.

I hope you find some things that work for you long term.