Hello Friends

[Jalec]

Hi everyone
Ill introduce myself by saying ive been a nervous wreck pretty much my whole life. I was diagnosed with OCD and anxiety at 12 and late high school depression hit me pretty hard which caused attendance issues, the attendance rate got to a point of no return so i signed out. Finally after years of doing nothing about it i want to actually do something and i believe this is the place to start and make some friends.

Cheers guys

[The_outward_smile]

Hi jalec's

I as well am also new, I only did my first post about 10 mins ago lol... I'm not sure what to offer for advice as I also suffer from depression and a very long list of other issues lol ... the only thing I can offer, is that I pray and hope for you, that u will find a way out of this .... baby steps and one step at a time .... I have no idea if that advice is any good, but I try to tell my self that every single day ..... best of luck x

[geoff]

Hello Jalec and also The outward smile, welcome to both of you and I know it's not easy to post your first comment because you may worry about what sort of reaction you'll get, but it's a friendly site where all of us have had to struggle with our own type of depression and OCD is included because it's caused by anxiety, and it's something I also have and had it for 58 years and understand how you are feeling.

This has affected your life so much, which I'm so sorry about and would be interested to know a little more about you, and wonder whether any 'intrusive thoughts' are holding you back.

By being referred to a psychologist might be able to help you with by using CBT and your doctor can prescribe you with medication which is what I take, but it still doesn't completely stop any habits/rituals or intrusive thoughts but this depends on each person.

Really like to hear back from you.

Geoff.

[Jalec]

Thank you Smile
The advice is great and i hope all goes well for you also.

Please feel free to talk to me anytime.Will help anyway i can.

Cheers

[Jalec]

Thank you for the warm welcome Geoff
Just from the welcome from you and Smile,im already feeling comfortable so thank you. The kind words really do mean a lot.

I have struggled with intrusive thoughts for a while and combining that with feeling of being a failure has led me to have 0% self confidence for the last few years. I like to think i'm capable of following my dream but the self doubt feels like it literally screams down any bravado or confidence i muster up and in all honestly it just sucks.

Cheers

[quirkywords]

I too welcome Jalec to the forum and waves at the outward smile, I replied to your post too and great to see you here replying to another poster.

I am wondering if the self doubt screaming is like an inner critic. There is a thread with the title, Talking to your inner critic, can it be tamed? , which I started because I have a problem with my inner critic criticising most things I try to do . Anyway if you have a look at that thread you will see how other people cope. Some find if you have a positive voice who can drown out the self doubting critical one.

Also even writing a letter to the part of yourself that self doubts and challenge it.

You have said you have 0% self confidence but I have noticed you have started your own thread and posted to two strangers and offered to help someone. That takes confidence and shows me you are a caring person.

I have done a lot of self sabotaging in my life and I am trying to change that, it takes time and sometimes you have to try a variety of strategies.

Ok, I have gone on a bit , and you may find my suggestions not helpful.

I just wanted to say well done for making your first few posts.

Quirky