Undiagnosed OCD or Just A Symptom Of Anxiety
Hi, I’ve never been diagnosed with OCD. But I’ve been diagnosed with severe anxiety. I just no longer have health insurance to go back and am to financially tight to pay out of pocket atm.
Anyway I just need coping methods or advice. I’m constantly checking stove nobs to make sure they’re not turned and leaking gas. At night I’m constantly getting out of bed to double, triple check the door is locked. Lights are off. Microwave and air fryer are unplugged (they give me anxiety being plugged in overnight, can’t explain why) still constantly going out to check that the noise I hear is the fridge still. During the winter it was checking that the furnace sounded normal every single time it kicks on. I can’t sleep if I don’t. My husband is patient and checks whatever I ask when I ask him to. But then I gotta get up and check myself, sometimes a dozen more times even though I just checked and just reassured myself that yes all those things are okay. I feel bad. He should be able to just lay down and go to bed. Luckily he never gets annoyed by me but still.. I’m not trying to self diagnosed either. But if anyone has advice for this I’ll take it. I’m tired. I already have the anxiety that keeps me up. I just want to lay down without worrying something disastrous will happen because my husband or I forgot to do something.
Thank you for taking the time to read🤍
@SillyLilGoose hello Goose and thank you for posting. Living with anxiety is challenging, and you've described ritualistic type behaviours that seem to be making things even worse - it doesn't sound as though you're getting any relief or respite from them. Becoming aware of our thoughts and then learning to accept them, rather than fight them, can be very helpful - mindfulness meditation is particularly useful in this regard. Distracting ourselves is another strategy. I've linked below to the 7cups self help guide to OCD Goose, for more information and support. The forums are always available to you, so p!ease know you're not alone in this.
