Hi! New OCD/Health Anxiety member

[Lazuli]

Hi everyone! This is the first time I have joined a forum group. I would love to find a local support group to meet face-to-face with fellow sufferers but with none in my local area, this is a wonderful support option. I have a history of OCD health anxiety dating back to my pre-teenage years (I am now 43). Basically, I live in fear of exposing myself or my loved ones to situations/contamination that will cause a terminal illness. The majority of my fears are unfounded and whilst I can appreciate this intellectually, my behaviours increase my anxiety. My biggest fears at present are asbestos-related diseases and cancer from electromagnetic radiation. I am blessed with a very supportive husband and family, however I still feel very alone on this journey as I'm sure many of you will appreciate. I sought counselling under a mental health plan a couple of years ago and thought I had gained the tools to deal with this, however I have gradually become slack with my mental health again and am now at a point where it is affecting my marriage so I have made an appointment to seek help again tomorrow. One of my biggest faults when dealing with my anxiety is googling information on the internet, so I am hoping that by joining this forum I can spend my computer time productively (and maybe even help someone else along the way) rather than just increasing my fears. Thanks for reading.

[Bluey_moon]

Hi Lazuli, 

Your story sounds very similar to mine. Except mine didn't start until a couple of years after my first child at about 27. 

This year was my worst year, I convinced myself I had scizophrenia to the point where I nearly created symptoms. 

Through the years I thought I had melanoma, bi polar, ms, mnd, paranoia. I thought I'd made my kids sick with mould, using iPads around them, I thought tgey had autism, ms, ect and I googled and googled! 

I am hopefully heading in the right direction to getting better! 

Welcome to BB! So happy to have you on board! 

Skye

[ci]

Hi lazuli

I had to reply to your post you sound so familiar to me.

I to have ocd and worry like crazy about the issues you have described it's so hard because logically you know it's over the top but can't do much about it.

I am 34 been struggling with this for the last few years looking back I can see I've been this way undiagnosed and functional for so long but after a very stressful time and a hysterectomy everything went crazy and I got told have ocd. 

I to craved meeting others dealing with the same issues helped to be on here I'm lucky and recently found a group therapy and started last week I've never meet anyone else with ocd it was a strange feeling for me. 

I'm so glad you have support its so important. I hope you  find what you are looking for on bb. You are definitely not alone.

[Lazuli]

Thanks for the welcome Skye and Ci! Google is such an "evil" thing in the hands of someone with OCD, isn't it. Skye, your story really sounds familiar - only recently I redid the sealant in our shower for fear of mould contamination and don't get me started on my kids using ipads (aeroplane mode all the way here).  Ci, you hit the nail right on the head - it doesn't seem to matter how much I am told that I'm over the top, I still need that reassurance that everything's ok. Glad you have found group therapy - I'm going to ask my GP if she knows of anywhere near me because I really think it would help to know that I'm not alone in this.  Thanks again.