Please help me get help!

[gtp40]

I'm going to get help!

This is something I've never done before, and I know many of you have, so I was hoping I could get some tips from you guys.

I can't believe I've waited so long, but my life is almost at a standstill, if I do not get help now I don't know what else to do. I've had OCD since 1st grade (I'm 20), in 2007 it was so bad I don't want to even think about it. This December I spiked and need help!

How should I pick out a doctor? I don't know many people who have done this before so your help is REALLY appreciated. You guys have been my therapy since I miraculously found this forum in 2007. I can't get over how so many of you stick around this forum and help out the people who struggle. God bless you!

Here's what I need to tackle:

1. OCD: I need to fix this so I can have a better relationship with God. The OCD is so bad that I've been avoiding everything, I've always been Christian and always will, but I NEED a better relationship with God.
2. ADD/ADHD: My attention span is about 3 or 4 seconds, I barely got my associates degree, and simply can't make the next two years without help!
3. Trichotillomania: This has really caused social issues for me.
4. EXTREME phobia of balloons.
5. Anxiety

If it helps at all, I live in Rockford IL. Are there sites where you can look at the doctors in your area? What did you do to find help?

I have some MAJOR issues to tackle, I'm going to try to make another post soon with some recent struggles of mine, for now though I'm really struggling. I'm running on a little over 1 hour of sleep, I got home from work at 2 AM, went to bed at 3:30 and got up at 5 to take my grandpa to surgery (it went well). School starts Monday and I need to sign up for classes! Ahhhhhhhh.

Also, thanks for the prayers, I asked for that in a different thread and I got lots of replies.

 

[dabro]

Well if you have insurance then go thru the phone book and sift out what doctor you would like. Since you have OCD and phobia's it's going to be a hard journey to tackle but you can do it. They will probably put you on a SSRI and if you have extreme anxiety then a Benzo as well. Don't be afraid to go get help, humble yourself, it's the next step to your recovery! Also there are Goverment run Health center's all over the US so if you don't have insurance then you can check them out.

 

[gtp40]

thanks dabro,

Thank God I have good insurance. I know my recovery may be hard, but I'm willing to take my time, any progress is good progress!

When sifting through doctors, should I look for particular criteria? Should I get a psychologist first or go straight to a psychiatrist?

 

[dabro]

See if you can find someone who does. ERP for phobia's and OCD. A OCD specialist would be good. Google it and see what you can find in your area.

 

[Mobiosity]

If you attend church, check with your pastor. My first successful therapist was suggested to me by a lay leader at my church. He was a Pastoral Counselor which means he is a Christian and a counselor. Gary, (my therapist) is a Methodist Minister. Look in the phone book for Pastoral Counselors if your Pastor can't recommend one. My personal suggestion is to get to a physician first. In most insurances, they need to evaluate you before you see a physchiatrist. Psychiatrists prescribe the meds. I'm on two right now and they've changed my life. My attention span and memory are better, I can sleep, it's been a world of difference. Take a deep breath and know that you're going to feel much better this time next month if you get started now. I suffered from Anxiety/depression and OCD, after I got on meds I realized how "normal" people feel for the first time possibly in my life. Please keep posting so we'll know how you're doing. Good luck and please pm me if you ever want to. I may not be on at the time, but I am on several times a day, usually.

 

[Dogperson]

So far my family doctor has been able to prescribe any meds I need (an SSRI & a Benzo). I could not go to a psychiatrist because my insurance only pays 50%, so I have to get by on just the meds & trying to take "every thought captive to Christ". If you want meds prescribed you will need to go to a psychiatrist rather than a psychologist, because to my understanding a psychologist is not an M.D. (But I could be wrong!) If you have any problems getting a quick appointment, stress the urgency of your need for help & the severity of the symptoms. I have found that they are usually willing to work you in under those circumstances. (Guess they are afraid you will harm yourself if they don't see you.)
Best of luck to you. There are many treatments out there & one of them is bound to help you.

 

[dabro]

Ya I'm on a SSRI and a Benzo plus antipsychotics which I want to get off. So I would imagen just trying to find the right help. They do wonders for my OCD and panic attack's so give it a try.

 

[gtp40]

so this is probably breaking the rules but

 

[gtp40]

I need 50 posts to post a link, and the link is the help I can get in town

 

[gtp40]

do any of these people stand out to any of you?

Rockford OCD Therapist - OCD Therapist Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois (IL) - OCD Therapist Rockford

 

[seajoy]

Hi gtp!

Sorry you are suffering so much. I give you a lot of credit for getting help....that's a huge first step.

I don't know anything about the folks on the site you posted, but what I would do is see what psychiatrists are on your insurance's list. Then make a choice from that list. I would for sure get a psychiatrist, they can get you on the meds that you need and start you on some therapy. Watch that the psychiatrist wants to do ERP therapy, and not counseling. Though counceling can be helpful in many areas - it's not so helpful in getting rid of OCD. Exposure/Response therapy is.

I went through 8yrs of counseling, which did nothing for my OCD. Then I was finally diagnosed with OCD, got the proper therapy and meds, and now I barely think about all those nasty thoughts.

You need rest and help. Start today, and make some calls. God will guide you through this process.

Any questions, let me know.

 

[gracealone]

Perfect Counsel, from someone who has a experience, clarity and valuable wisdom on how to manage OCD. I have great respect and admiration for her advice.
Mitzi

Hi gtp!

Sorry you are suffering so much. I give you a lot of credit for getting help....that's a huge first step.

I don't know anything about the folks on the site you posted, but what I would do is see what psychiatrists are on your insurance's list. Then make a choice from that list. I would for sure get a psychiatrist, they can get you on the meds that you need and start you on some therapy. Watch that the psychiatrist wants to do ERP therapy, and not counseling. Though counceling can be helpful in many areas - it's not so helpful in getting rid of OCD. Exposure/Response therapy is.

I went through 8yrs of counseling, which did nothing for my OCD. Then I was finally diagnosed with OCD, got the proper therapy and meds, and now I barely think about all those nasty thoughts.

You need rest and help. Start today, and make some calls. God will guide you through this process.

Any questions, let me know.

 

[seajoy]

Perfect Counsel, from someone who has a experience, clarity and valuable wisdom on how to manage OCD. I have great respect and admiration for her advice.
Mitzi

I feel the same about Mitzi. Thanks for what you said.

 

[gtp40]

thanks for the advice!

I'll have my dad print off all the doctors covered by insurance. Sounds like I'm looking for:

1. Psychiatrist
2. More experience = better
3. ERP
4. Specialize in OCD

Question, woman or man doctor? Not sure which would be better for me, women can be more comforting sometimes.

 

[dabro]

Which ever one you feel comfertable with. I need to get into ERP! But it's tough and I at the moment am trying to find a new doc!!! Good luck mate!!

 

[Mobiosity]

thanks for the advice!

I'll have my dad print off all the doctors covered by insurance. Sounds like I'm looking for:

1. Psychiatrist
2. More experience = better
3. ERP
4. Specialize in OCD

Question, woman or man doctor? Not sure which would be better for me, women can be more comforting sometimes.

Whatever person make you the most comfortable. It may be a man, it may be a woman. I had a woman and didn't like her. I went to a man, I wasn't crazy about him either. I found another woman and we clicked.

 

[RuthD]

Best wishes for you to find a helpful doctor that you click with. See him/her for about 3 weeks and see if you are comfortable. If it's a counseling doctor too.