Anxiety, OCD & depression. Can it come and go?

Self-Acceptance · ‎29-09-2016

Hello all,

I'm feeling a little confused, I suffer from anxiety, OCD and can feel quite depressed because of it. But it's not constant. I've only had a few breakdowns this year and in between them I feel good. Those times in between I know my OCD is still there but it doesn't seem to bother me. But when it does come it's unbearable and effects every aspect of my life.

I haven't been diagnosed as yet or seeked any help because as soon as I look into going to see someone it subsidies and goes away. Which makes it hard to explain to people and why I haven't got any help.

I have just had a breakdown. Been incredibly down and anxious for the past week. It's like a light switch, It turns on and of. From feeling so down and having such bad thoughts to now where I feel nothing at all. I know all the issues I was struggling with are still there but it's not bothering me. I feel emotionless.

I've booked an appointment to talk to someone. I just hope I can explain how I feel.

Does anyone else go through the same thing?

Zeal · ‎29-09-2016

Hi Self Acceptance,

Welcome to the forum!

I too have OCD, and have lived with this condition for 10 years (since I was 13). I had mild depression in my teens, and these days I sometimes feel sad for no reason, but it's not depression. It's because my brain doesn't produce enough of the neurotransmitter serotonin. I am on an SSRI (antidepressant) medication for my OCD, which helps with my serotonin levels. I was incredibly anxious for a few months earlier this year (during the busy part of the uni semester), and that was frustrating.

I am glad you can manage fairly well the majority of the time. However, the anxiety builds up and results in breakdowns, which must be frustrating and almost scary. Good on you for booking an appointment to discuss your mental health. Even when you're feeling alright, you can certainly still see a professional about your mental health. Explain what you've told us here, and hopefully your doctor (or other professional) will be able to guide you.

I thought I would provide a few links to good resources that you can bookmark:

http://www.mindhealthconnect.org.au/

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/consumers.cfm

These are not in any way a substitute for professional help, but could be useful tools 🙂

Best wishes,

Zeal

geoff · ‎30-09-2016

hello Self-Acceptance, thanks for your post which Zeal has responded to you which is great, however the question you have asked is a good one because OCD is caused by anxiety and quite commonly depression can also be involved, not with everyone who has this illness but it can develop as it did for me, which I've had OCD for 56 years and depression has been on and off but in my later years was not that good, although now I believe that I have overcome it, and when I say overcome it, well it's always with us just as having OCD.
I do take medication for both these illness's which I will need to take probably for ever, but OCD although is there with you it does not necessarily have to affect you, but that doesn't mean you don't have it, however there is an OCD test which you could do just by googling it, I would also suggest doing the K-10 test for depression as well.
When you go and see someone and before you do, write down on a piece of paper what actually happens, and remember when you go and see a doctor about something the problem always seems to go away, but it still doesn't matter if you aren't being effected at that time, it will come back, probably as soon as you leave the doctor's office.
I would hand over the piece of paper where you have written down your problems to the doctor, as well as your score on the OCD and depression test and summarise at the bottom saying:I think I have depression/OCD.
Don't be afraid in seeing your doctor, they are there to help people with any sort of illness, they have done it many times before, and by seeing you makes no difference.
Please get back to us. Geoff.