Re. Therapy

[kaykay9.0]

Don't allow this one issue to get you to feeling hopeless about everything. Really, it's probably not even as important that you "solve" this issue as it "feels like" if that makes any sense. I get worked up about stuff due to my own OCD and it takes on more urgency and greater importance than it should really have in my life. I hope I'm making sense here and not being offensive. When I say these things, Rachel, I'm usually saying them cuz I've been there, done that and recognize OCD at work.

I will pray for you that if God doesn't desire you to continue seeing this guy, He will reveal something to you or show you something that will make it totally obvious what direction you should take.

(Also, at least you know what you're dealing with (OCD) in your late 30's. I was probably almost 50 before anyone ever mentioned to me that I could have OCD. I knew I had "issues" and struggled in ways other Christians didn't seem to do.) Sometimes, just "knowing your enemy" is half the battle.

 

[RachelZ]

Hey KayKay thanks so much...and thanks for saying you'll pray...it's a relief it really is cos it kinda eases the burden somewhat.

I don't think I've ever taken offence at something you've said...I totally understand that you're speaking from experience and I value your insight and comments! Yes it does seem that whatever the issue to hand there is a compulsive urgency about it...I find it very hard to let something be and wait and see as it were.

Yes Iam glad I had a diagnosis when I did but still frustrated it wasn't sooner. Maybe I couldn't have handled it sooner I don't know. Like you I felt I had issues but couldn't really work out what was really wrong. I used to say it's like something in between anxiety and depression...so depriety was a good word to fit the bill.

Thanks again KayKay and please do pray...it is hugely valued! Take care, hugs, Rachel x

 

[ObsessedButBlessed]

Yes I agree with Kaykay, OCD makes it easy to get worked up about stuff, especially "imperfect" things. Can't tell you how many times that if my husband disagreed with me on something doctrinally or politically I'd start to panic! lol! Must make it hard for him to live up to my standards, huh?

That is really too bad about the mental health care system over there. From what I read on SIAD too, it doesn't sound like there is an abundance of qualified OCD therapists over there, either. I can relate about needing to talk about your feelings... sometimes it helps just to get everything out. We with OCD carry so much around inside, we suffer silently, and it's pure torture. And I remember a time when I did not see that it was OCD at all. It truly makes you believe things that are not true. What a terrible disorder.

 

[annrobert]

Rachel,
I was just thinking that maybe you could just give yourself permission to take as long as needed to decide about this.
Just keep seeing your therapist with an open mind about this.Open to both possibilities about him.
And just keep seeing him while knowing you can take as long as needed to decide.
Just a thought.Maybe it can help ease the worries and anxiety.

 

[RachelZ]

Hey ObsessedButBlessed thanks so much...I can relate so well to the panic re. marital differences of opinion...like you say how hard it must be to live up to our standards...and how ironic that I know at least for myself my self-image has often been so poor. And yes it's the imperfect things that cause so much trouble...which makes it doubly hard cos like KayKay has said before OCD takes a grain of truth and takes it to the 'nth degree thereby distorting it. If the things we worry about were all perfect how much easier the problem would be.

Yes I'm afraid the NHS is not all it's sometimes seen to be...it can be very good especially in emergencies but in other areas it can sometimes really let people down not least with regard to mental health issues. People can wait a ridiculous amount of time for help and then only be offered a limited number of sessions. I really was offered a lot in comparison but it still wasn't enough sadly. Maybe if it had been more ERP focussed it may have helped more but I get the feeling that a lot of people haven't even heard of ERP. My current therapist I don't think had and that did worry me but as I think I have other issues that prolly impact the OCD I'm hoping it can still help.

Annrobert thank you so much - what a wise and timely bit of advice. I think that will help...like I said it's a compulsive anxious urgency about things like this that make them doubly hard. You're wisdom has brought me some relief so thank you so much for taking the time to post.

Take care all and hope you're doing OK...Rachel