Struggling with diagnosis
Hi everyone, I had an appointment with a psychiatrist last week and he mentioned in passing that I am “obsessive”. I asked if he meant OCD and he said yes, but said we should focus instead on treating my anxiety and panic attacks right now, which will also help my depression and OCD. I’m really struggling with this new diagnosis. I find myself rejecting it, as my symptoms don’t seem to be as bad as others- I never would have guessed I have ocd, and as someone who has health anxiety I always hyperfixate on researching any symptoms I have to find diagnoses. I’ve also noticed though that I reject medical diagnoses I receive and always think the doctor is missing something. Is this an OCD presentation anyone can relate to? I feel so alone and crazy right now, just looking for any support you can give.
I have been diagnosed with OCD for 10 years and I research everything. I find problems where there wasn’t any before. I get super paranoid. OCD is not funny and people don’t understand the real meaning. I don’t know how, but I would love to talk about this because I can completely relate and love to listen.
@Sunny1721 Hey Sunny. I hope you're doing alright. A diagnosis is only as useful as it is helpful. In truth, we do not even understand emotions well enough to brand one as a universal model. For example: When you say you are feeling crazy, there is no scientific, technological or other method for me to know your subjective experience of it. Our concept of empathy is based on someone's ability to relate their experience of crazy to yours (they could be entirely different sensations) This reduces psychology to an approximate point of reference much less a science by any means (I've spent years of my life in this so it hurts to say.) A diagnosis can be helpful as a point of reference to possible solutions (that may not be a problem.) Other than that, O wouldn't take them too seriously at all.
@Sunny1721
First, Hello! It's nice to meet you!
Please know that you are not alone. As with any new diagnoses of a disorder, I can understand the mixture of feelings that you described above. I can relate to questioning the diagnoses, the wanting / needing as much information / answers as possible, the anxiety this causes and the struggle to 'make sense of it all'. It can be extremely overwhelming and upsetting!
In regards to support, 7 Cups is a wonderful place to find supportive people. The Personality Disorders community is here for that very reason: support FOR people with disorders BY people with disorders. If I may ask, what works best for you when being supported? (Some people like to read articles or published information; Some people like forums like these where many people can respond; Some people like chat discussions in a real time room). Let us know what best works for you and we will certainly be here to support you.
Sher