Ocd big decision need advice

[ci]

I'm having trouble with a decision I have ocd and it's at its worst ever at the moment I've been planning to go back to uni this year I'm a mum of three I also work from home part time so I'll be adding a lot to what's already a busy life.

I'm wondering if anyone with ocd can help me part of me thinks getting out of the house (which I'm starting to find hard to do) will help to focus on something new and help with my ocd.

Another part of me worried I'll just completely overload and hit breaking point?

Any advice please?

[Zeal]

Hi ci,

It's great you're going back to university. What are you planning to study? I'm going into my third and final year this year (I'm almost 23), and my part-time job starts sometime in March. I have been doing a training course to become a behaviour therapist for young kids with Autism. I'm hoping I won't be too busy doing that (15 or so hours a week) with full-time study, and some volunteering (such as this forum). I can't handle a hugely demanding schedule. I'm better now than I used to be though. I've had OCD since I was 13. It's more manageable now, thanks to SSRI medication, self-learning along the way, and great family support.

With three kids, part-time work and study, that will be quite busy. If you study part-time, and plan ahead, I think it's doable. However, you said your OCD is at its worst. Have you seen your GP about this. You could ask their opinion, and perhaps also talk to family and close friends about what they think. It is ultimately up to you, but getting some advice from others is handy too.

I wish I could give you an answer. I don't want to, as I only know about you based on your words on the forum, and feel that it's too important a decision to leave to people who haven't met you. Still feel free to get the perspective of others here, but put more weight on the advice of your GP and your family and friends.

Good luck with this decision!

Best wishes,

SM

[ci]

Thanks sm

Definitely know decision needs to be made by myself and my husband just hoping that some advice regards to people's experience with ocd and adding more work load my gp said it might help but husband is unsure if can do it.

Not on meds at moment planning to start them was just trying to get undercontrol on my own but things not getting better getting worse. Really don't want to put uni on hold for another year waited so long to get this far I'm mid 30s keen to start my next stage in my life been at home with kids for 13 years. 

Big problem I  see no support from family other than my husband.

Sounds like you doing really well what a great career helping kids!

Thanks so much for replying I really appreciate it.

[geoff]

dear Ci, can I say welcome to the OCD club and I only mean this in gest.I'm
not too sure whether 'adding more workload' is either good or bad, it
depends on the person, but if you are struggling with this illness, what
can happen is that you pressure yourself with too much workload it may
be fine for awhile but then suddenly you will find it too much and the
possibility of crashing, so try and keep to an even pace.You
already have a busy life, being a mum, working from home and then
planning on going back to uni, but with of this going on then there
could be clashes, which could then increase your anxiety and then OCD.It
takes a very understanding husband in this case, to understand and cope
with what you are trying to do, especially by having OCD, so he seems
to be helping you as much as he can.When someone has this illness
it is really impossible to get ourselves 'undercontrol', because if
someone has to check the door locks several times at any point of time,
then this illness has total control over us, so with the aid of
medication could certainly be a benefit for you, which I have taken for
years, but I still do habits/rituals but they now don't worry me now, so
in other words I can control my life, that's what I say. lol

Starting uni is something that you have always wanted to do, so that's an enventure to start with, and having difficulty by leaving the house then medication may assist you with this, but take it slowly and not overdo it which will then cause you have more anxiety.

Can I ask are you still going to work at home. Geoff. x

[ci]

Thanks Geoff 

Still have to work from home if start uni. 

But feel like this aids my problem I've worked from home for 11 years no connection with outside world just stay at home mum and work from at home office. 

Only found out had ocd last 2 years always had few quirks and things but just thought was anxiety and my personality but I thrived on pressure I  could cope with so much then 2 years ago had some major health issues and bang  ocd  and I've struggled ever since. The old me could cope not sure about the new me? Thanks for your reply