What support is offered for OCD?

[RangerDanger]

I've had intrusive thoughts my whole life. At one point was told I had "pure o" OCD which I agree with but at the time I never pursued help.

Since having my child it's got worse. I'm terrified of everything. I can't watch anything other than kids films or pure comedies as they give me further intrusive worries.

I'm terrified of house fires, of him drowning, of all sorts. I won't even go into it all.

A friend of mine has just been attacked by a dog and had to go to A&E to get stitches. I'm horrified and want to be there for her but while she's been talking to me I cannot focus on anything but awful thoughts about my DS being attacked by a dog.

It keeps me up at night and stops me doing things. I am scared of walking by the canal incase he falls in and drowns, for example.

What kind of support can I expect to receive when I go to the GP?

I have had CBT for other things and found it not at all helpful. Honestly I can accept that the things I worry about are statistically unlikely and I can accept that they're unhelpful thoughts but that doesn't stop them.

I cannot quite accept they are irrational because they can and do happen.

Generally with CBT I found that saying the "positive" thought in my head didn't help at all as I didn't believe it. I don't really have the money to go private but if CBT is all that's available on the NHS then perhaps I could save up for a year or so.

Interested in hearing what kind of therapy, if any, you were offered and whether you found it helpful.

I want to caveat this by saying I don't have OCD.

But my understanding is that OCD is very close to anxiety. It manifests as intrusive thoughts, obsessions and compulsions to quell the anxiety.

The anxiety can have a rational basis. But tends to be overblown and therefore become irrational.

It is often a desperate urge to control anxiety - if I do x or keep thinking y, I'll be prepared.

So I think the key is to treat the underlying anxiety, which would involve meditation.

But then you also actively need to challenge the thoughts. Which I know is exhausting when they're intrusive. But you do have to say something to them like, 'look brain, I know you're afraid and you're trying to warn and protect me. But you're actually making things worse. And you're worrying won't change anything. Thank you for reminding me of the risk. I will be prepared and do what I can. Now I'm asking you to leave'. Or even ask 'I know you're scared. Sit with me and tell me what about.'

I'd recommend a book called Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway.

I'd also recommend a healthy diet (which will impact mental health) and intense exercise (to burn off some of the excessive thoughts).

Sorry, medication.

OP I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I have severe pure o and what has been a game changer and life saver for me is sertraline.
It allows me to truly love life with my children, and I would be really struggling without it.

I so hope you find something that works for you.

I have OCD and also think sertraline has been a great help.
The only therapy I was offered on the NHS was CBT and most recently typed CBT which I found less helpful than face to face CBT.
I really understand what you mean about not accepting fears are irrational because they can and do happen.
I also tried to reduce my overall anxiety by cutting out caffeine, telling my friends and family that I am trying to not ask for reassurance

I'm sorry you're suffering so much. The only thing that's helped calm my OCD is medication- I tried lots but it was Olazapine, an anti-psychotic, that finally calmed the noise in my head down.

I also had prolonged ERP treatment which changed my life (exposure response prevention) but I don't see how that could help for pure o, as it's more for controlling your compulsions.

Good luck. Get to the GP.

Another vote for Sertraline. I put it off for so long but it has quietened the intrusive thoughts so I can function normally.

OCD and anxiety can be driven by underlying trauma, so psychotherapy can help with this, though not the actual OCD behaviours themselves.
CBT is the standard treatment so if that hasn’t been helpful then echo pops that medication might make a difference.

Thank yous everyone. I hadn't realised medication would likely be helpful so I will speak with my GP about trying that