Opening up and getting help

[DruryGirl]

I've needed help for over two years as my obsessive thoughts have taken all control, but I don't know what kind of help to get.


I've never even been diagnosed with OCD, formally, although I started to suspect a long time ago. I went to a psychiatrist a while back, she wasn't all that nice I didn't think, I wasn't even comfortable enough talking to her to tell her much more than I was anxious. Really my friend made me go so it wasn't even my idea.


I've been to a pastoral counselor, but he really didn't know anything about OCD, he provided affirming Bible verses which was good in its own right, but really didn't help my incessant thoughts.




I've searched for Christian counseling to no avail here in wonderful, liberal Massachusetts.



Does anyone have any ideas for me on who to see? I have no money whatsoever, so that makes it hard. It's so hard to talk to anyone at all either, too many times of me trying to explain just what I'm ruminating about and the reactions I get. The look on my then boyfriend's face when I tried to explain my gasoline-usage guilt-trip obsession. A former co-worker who saw I was really freaked out about something, nagged me into admitting I was obsessed with vows to God, then told me I sounded like a "drug addict" and my parents didn't raise me very well if I said weird stuff like that.



Anyone with treatment tips, I welcome your input.

 

[kaykay637]

I've needed help for over two years as my obsessive thoughts have taken all control, but I don't know what kind of help to get.


I've never even been diagnosed with OCD, formally, although I started to suspect a long time ago. I went to a psychiatrist a while back, she wasn't all that nice I didn't think, I wasn't even comfortable enough talking to her to tell her much more than I was anxious. Really my friend made me go so it wasn't even my idea.


I've been to a pastoral counselor, but he really didn't know anything about OCD, he provided affirming Bible verses which was good in its own right, but really didn't help my incessant thoughts.




I've searched for Christian counseling to no avail here in wonderful, liberal Massachusetts.



Does anyone have any ideas for me on who to see? I have no money whatsoever, so that makes it hard. It's so hard to talk to anyone at all either, too many times of me trying to explain just what I'm ruminating about and the reactions I get. The look on my then boyfriend's face when I tried to explain my gasoline-usage guilt-trip obsession. A former co-worker who saw I was really freaked out about something, nagged me into admitting I was obsessed with vows to God, then told me I sounded like a "drug addict" and my parents didn't raise me very well if I said weird stuff like that.



Anyone with treatment tips, I welcome your input.

Regretably, I don't have any suggestions about counseling particularly with no ability to pay for professional counseling right now. It does make a lot of difference if you can find someone who understands OCD and especially OCD from a religious standpoint. (Sometimes termed "scrupulosity")

In lieu of that, for right now, I would suggest you try to read some good resources about it. I would suggest reading The Doubting Disease and Brain Lock. Both of these can be ordered off of www.amazon.com. I am also going to post a website by a Dr. Phillipson which I believe has some helpful insights.

Ok, here is the website by Dr. Phillipson. www.ocdonline.com/articlesphillipson.php One caveat-sometimes Dr. Phillipson seems to be writing from a perspective that a Christian might not agree with. However, his insights into "OCD-land" are so incrediblly excellent, I heartily recommend reading his articles anyway. I think Mitzi (another poster here) has mentioned him too.

Here is another website you might find helpful--
www.net-burst.net/guilty/scrupulosity.htm

Also, if you have insurance that would cover psychiatric treatment, you might try another psychiatrist. They are not all created equal if you know what I mean. Of course, now it's been my experience that a psychiatrist is pretty much geared to drug therapy (which you may indeed need) and less to talking or counseling per se.

Actually, if you will read many of the responses to some of the posts on this forum you will find some excellent "treatment tips" and ways we all battle OCD spikes.

Saying a prayer for you, drurygirl.

 

[DruryGirl]

Thanks!

 

[BeccaLynn]

I actually meant to respond to your post yesterday, but somehow I accidentally started a whole new post myself. You may want to look under the one entitled "Counseling". I tried to look up a previous post from Shannon, a young woman who was receiving counseling by phone. I saw that she said it was free and would try to post the website later. I didn't see any website address listed though. Sad posted something about a counselor under my post also. You may want to check into it. I pray all the best for you. I do think I know what you are experiencing with the counseling dilemma.

Rebecca

 

[shannonguthmuller]

HI. Here is the website Rebecca was refering to. This paster has helped me tremendously along with some medication. ocdinsight.com

 

[DruryGirl]

Thanks much Shannon, I will check it out.