Anxiety and OCD. It’s all new.

[Scotty02]

Hey guys.

first time poster! Over the last 4 weeks I’ve been feeling increasingly worried and anxious. Something that I’ve never really felt before.

The symptoms started during a random fight with my dad, which I believe to be the trigger. My Mum left our family 3 years ago to move to another state which is something that I’ve struggled with. I’ve been seeing a psychologist for 2 weeks now and we’re working towards an answer.

Everyday that passes I don’t feel like myself. Constantly having spiralling thoughts like: ‘am I going crazy’ and ‘do I have schizophrenia’. These thoughts continue to spiral until I can manifest an answer or provide some rationale. I’m struggling with brain fog as well, not being able to concentrate or remember things that I normally would

I can still go to work, study and interact with friends and I am lucky for that.  I’m only 19 and work myself into a constant panic that my life is ruined.

any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hi there and welcome to the BB forums 🙂

Im sorry to hear that things are difficult at the moment, but it’s great to at you’re working with a psychologist, and also continuing to do the things you normally do with friends etc. It will take some time to work with your psychologist to develop some strategies to better manage your anxiety, so please give it time. Thought spirals, negative thinking, brain fog, can all be part and parcel of experiencing anxiety, and so they are things you can work towards managing better with the help of your psych.

I don’t know whether they suggested anything else helpful but I find writing in a journal and meditating to be helpful. There’s plenty of apps (free or paid) that you can download if you think you might like to give it a go.

Your life is definitely not ruined. You’ve just hit a rough patch, and those are part of life. We enjoy the ups, we breathe through the downs…

Katy

[Petal22]

Hi Scotty02,

Wellcome to our forums!

Im sorry you are feeling this way.

I have a lived experience of severe anxiety OCD, when I was in the grips of this condition I felt as though I was going crazy and I would always think worse case scenario of having something wrong me medically, my condition felt like a marathon but it’s a marathon I won!

Im not a doctor and I can’t diagnose but I highly recommend you see a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist they can diagnose.

OCD is a vicious cycle but it’s a vicious cycle you can learn to break free of….. Ive now recovered thanks to the professional help I received. While I was in OCD s grips I’d dr google and constantly seek reassurance … these were compulsions of mine. If you are dr googling please stop doing this it’s not helpful.

Does you current psychologist know a lot about OCD?

Thats great that you see friends and work…. Try to keep busy it helps.

Practice deep breathing and meditation

Try to put your attention on the present moment and not inside your head.

If you are feeling like things are getting worse for you please go back to your gp and discuss how you are feeling.

Ive written two threads you may be interested in reading

From someone who suffered OCD and recovered

Effective treatment for OCD Metacognitive Therapy

Please ask me any questions 😊

[Ryan7519]

Hey Scotty sorry to hear that you are not coping

I am 26 and have suffered from OCD most of my life as far back as I can remember

I felt the same way when I was 19 bro and my mother went through cancer treatment I know many of my peers my age and subsequent younger peers especially after finishing high school or going to Uni or Tafe went through similar stuff what I mean is that what you are feeling is perfectly normal for this stage in your life it gets better bro trust me hang in there