Hey guys and gals! I need some help. I’m struggling to keep my job. I was transferred to a new role on a new team about seven months ago and I’m not meeting deadlines or keeping up with the amount of assignments I need to. In addition my quality of work is not up to par. I cannot tell you how much I hate this. What I’ve discovered through the years - and what this confirms - is that I take longer than most people to learn things. I’m very smart. No learning disabilities that I’m aware of. But I have a hard time grasping abstract concepts. I also have a hard time generalizing them and applying them to other situations. I’m a writer, So if my boss says, “Hey write this in a more emotional and persuasive tone,” I can’t picture what that would look like unless someone sits down and gives me examples and explains it. I need to ask questions and really process it. And then actually thinking through it and making the project happen on my own takes longer than most people. Like a lot longer. Sometimes I just can’t think of how to do it or another way to say something. I’m very frustrated because I think I’m about to be in jeopardy of losing my job and I’m not sure how to fix the situation. I know I have OCD but I feel like there may be something else going on. Does this sound like an OCD issue? Does anyone else experience these types of problems?
Thanks for your help!
Written by
JessieV
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Could be dyslexia? Sounds like it? I have dyslexia and can find it hard to process information, spelling, etc. I take longer than most to write a letter or email but can do it.
Hello JessieV, I can really relate to your dilemma! The anxiety of meeting writing deadlines can seem overwhelming. I am now retired, but years ago whilst struggling with my own OCD I found it necessary to scale back to part-time work so that I could do justice to my job as an English teacher. I was very good at my job, but I could not juggle too many responsibilities at one time. I seemed to take so much more time than others to process everything I needed to do to get through a busy day. In hindsight, I was spending time ruminating, reassuring, avoiding, etc., all those mental rituals we know so well with active OCD. Is part-time work an option for you right now? Perhaps you could also take some time to hone your writing skills with some online college courses in writing. (I did that, and now, I’m working towards another university degree). Is it possible that another line of work would be more suitable? The present work situation you describe sounds very stressful and sure to erode your self-confidence. With your skill set as a writer there are many creative alternatives out there in the job market. Anyway, know that you are not alone with this. Many, many smart people need time to process and reflect in order to create thoughtful copy. Honour who you are and accept your limitations. Seek new ways to be the best version of yourself.
You give me hope for my son. He has a degree in political science but does not know where to go from there. It took him a while to get his 4 year degree so he is thinking of going back for his masters but is afraid of how long this will take him to finish and he does not know what to study. He loves political science and international affairs (his minor). I do not mind to support him financially but I would like to see him earn money so I will feel relieved that he can make it on his own with whatever I leave him after I pass away.
You sound like a very caring Mom and I hear that you want the best for your son. It is important to allow your son to be in charge of his own life. He may have OCD but he can still exercise agency over his career choices and study decisions. Career counsellors at his university can be very helpful in steering him in a meaningful direction. I do believe that your adult son needs to be earning money to contribute to his own upkeep at home, otherwise, he will remain dependent and immature. This will certainly not empower him to realize his full potential as a productive and engaged member of society. His interest in politics and international affairs speaks to his capable nature; it's time he found a meaningful way to give back to his community -- and to his family.
Hello JessieV, It may also be a thing where you just don't trust yourself. I have suffered from OCD my entire life (over 50 years) and I find that I get confused over things that should be simple. OCD wears away at our intuitive relationship with things.
If you are checking things a lot that is OCD. I was checking stuff all the time and worried about making mistakes. The only thing that really helped was medication.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Magical Thinking OCD. 
Making mistakes and ocd
Frequent urination/OCD
OCD cure - It’s Here!!!!!!!!!
Needing Support For SEVERE OCD
