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Finally found a therapist who i can hope help with my OCD - what to ask?

5 replies

Hopingforblueskies · 29/11/2023 14:14

Finally have a session booked tomorrow with a therapist who specialises in OCD and anxiety etc had an initial phone call to see if we clicked and if we thought they could help. They were confident that they could. I've had CBT before and understand the principles of that and try to use it - i'm just aware that i seem to have so many little issues that it could take weeks and as im paying want to try and make the most of my sessions. I'm sure she'll guide the sessions but where do i start ?
I overthink everything, can't escape my thoughts, replay everything in my mind and beat myself up about stupid inconsequetial things from decades so,spend my life feeling guilt for being a position that i can afford this kind of treatment when others are struggling and feel guilty when people spoil me because i don't feel i deserve that nicesness when other people are struggling so much . I have very strong morals which is great shouldn't be in absolutely everything i do so pre empting every situations which takes away the joy. Inadvertently self sabotage myself convincing myself i will get ill before holidays and spread germs without realising. I can never just relax without my mind looking for or digging up some past very inconsequential misdeamenour to worry about. I worry about what people think of me and can't take praise, self esetem on the floor and i over deliver with all my work dues to wanting to make sure that everyone i deal with gets the best i can give them - its exhausting ! I just want to be carefree, not sweat the small stuff and stop digging up past situations and trying to feel guilty about them ! Sorry rant over, i hope they can help me unravel this mess...

OP posts:
tutorswife · 29/11/2023 14:15

Just explain what the issue is and your memories of it.

My therapist asked for a timeline of events that stick out, however arbitrary. We found the origin of my OCD and used EMDR. I’m not cured and never will be, but I’m a million times better

Hopingforblueskies · 29/11/2023 14:18

@tutorswife thats interesting thanks - did you have other issues like Anxiety and depression along with the OCD do you mind me asking how many sessions you had?

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Beamur · 29/11/2023 14:19

You do deserve help with this and the fact that other people have needs too doesn't diminish that.
Guess what? You're overthinking this.
Let the therapist lead the therapy - it's what you are paying for. Don't be embarrassed by your answers, whatever you say will be fine.

tutorswife · 29/11/2023 14:22

Hopingforblueskies · 29/11/2023 14:18

@tutorswife thats interesting thanks - did you have other issues like Anxiety and depression along with the OCD do you mind me asking how many sessions you had?

Yes - GAD was how my OCD was found! I was always on edge, the “what ifs” were taking over my life. But I didn’t even think of OCD. It was only when I was 100% transparent for the first time, explained how I have coped with anxiety, it was when I said how from a child I’d write my anxieties in a book and if I did it in a certain way it would be ok but if I didn’t, bad things would happen. Thats how they realised it was OCD and I was transferred to a different specialist.

I had about 15 sessions one year then 20 sessions the year after. I want to have more but was discharged. I know the answer when I want to ask the therapist, I know what she’d tell me and what I needed to do. But it’s comforting having someone. Exposure therapy is definitely the way forward, I’ve got my main ability for exposure in January for the first time, so therapist called yesterday to remind me how it will be horrible, anxiety will be high, but it will be ok.

Hopingforblueskies · 29/11/2023 15:06

@Beamur that sums it up exactly and @tutorswife my ocd was diagnosed when i was having counselling for GAD too and we started trying to deal with it but i felt i needed someone who specalised in this more and also didn't know me as well - as i was def relying on my previous counsellor too much ! at £130 a time (i'm in London) i hope i don't need 20 sessions - first couple are fact finding then given a guide of around 6 - fingers crossed

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