Work accommodations

[JessieV]

Does anyone get accommodations for work? If so, what helps you? I struggle to understand instructions and complete work in a timely fashion and I’m not sure how to get the help I need.

Related question, what careers do you enjoy as someone with ocd?

[Qwerty325]

Hi Jessie have you had an occupational health referral through work? They should be able to advise on any necessary adjustments to help you complete your work on time. This can include giving you more time to complete tasks or providing a different work environment for you. I didn't tell anybody about my OCD. In many ways it helped me with my job because I rarely made mistakes due to repeatedly checking things were correct, however in another way my work has suffered. If I had told somebody sooner I might not have ended up in the position I'm in now. Unfortunately I may lose my job

[OCDMOM35 in reply to Qwerty325]

I have a son who has OCD and he is scared of getting a job. He is in mid 30's and has college degree. He has never worked. He is afraid that he will take a long time to finish his work and will be fired because he is too slow as he checks and rechecks his work. I asked him if he can think of something that he could do on his own. I wish I knew an answer to help all of you. Just know that you are not alone. Is it possible to cut down on checking your work so much. I guess having confidence in yourself is an issue. Just realize that we always make mistakes and we are not perfect. We all learn from mistakes.

[BlackOnyx in reply to OCDMOM35]

If your son hasn't already he could probably apply for disability if he's unable to work due to his OCD.

[OCDMOM35 in reply to BlackOnyx]

I spoke to the psychologist about advice on this as I am paying so much for health insurance and visits to psychologist. She did not seem to have good advice. I had told her I needed to know if he needed to go on disability or will he be able to work one day. I did not want to give up on him being able to work as I know he is a capable person but he needs the confidence as he knows he is slow at doing things because he checks and re checks everything even at home. After I talk to a psychiatrist I will see our next step.

[BlackOnyx in reply to OCDMOM35]

Ok sounds good. I think here you can work a little while on disability.

[Qwerty325 in reply to OCDMOM35]

Hi OCDMOM35

I'm really sorry to hear about how your son is struggling and I can only imagine how stressful it must be for you too as a parent. I think it's important for him to let any future employer know about his OCD as they can always try and put some adjustments in place. I don't think I'm in the best place to offer much advice as I'm only just getting treatment now and even then it's because I couldn't hide it anymore at work. I hate the situation I'm in because I'm not ready to talk about it, but feel guilty if I don't because my union rep is trying so hard to help me. Has your son tried CBT and is he on any medication? I think a role where you can work at your own pace is best. My role was so busy and pressurised and was very time sensitive so I got myself into such a pickle

[OCDMOM35 in reply to Qwerty325]

Thanks so much for your response and I can see your struggle as I see him struggling every day. My son took zoloft in highschool and college. He was up to 300mg but then it started affecting his liver and we reduced it to 50 mg which was enough to get him through college. After college we decided that it may be good to take a break from it as he had taken it for years. After his grandmother died around the same time he finished college, he just went into deep depression as my mom was his 2nd mother. He finally would come out of his room and visit with family after a while but by then, he got accustomed to staying at home and not leaving the house. He started using zoloft again but it affected his stomach and made him nauseous so he stopped taking it. He is going to the psychiatrist once again in a month to see what other medicine he can take. He was against taking medicine again but I told him he cannot continue his life like this after I am not around to support him financially. My son does not like to talk about his illness to anyone and lots of people who do not have OCD does not believe it's real or they think it is something he can control easily. We talk openly and I try to let him know that it is an illness and nothing to be ashamed of. We did talk about using CBT. I read up on it and so pros and cons. He does not seem to want to take it so I did not push it.

[Qwerty325 in reply to OCDMOM35]

Yes 300mg is a very high dose. I completely understand why he doesn't want to talk about it. As much as my rep is supportive I only find solace in these forums because I just feel like nobody understands the thought process behind OCD like someone who has actually been through it. I'm terrified that nobody will believe me when I explain what I've thought in my head and the ritualistic behaviour that followed. I have an appointment next week ..it's going to be my very first appointment talking about it, I'll let you know how it went. I'm definitely going to try the CBT route because I was on 50mg of Sertraline and even that dose caused a lot of nausea so I stopped taking it. My heart goes out to you and your son. My Mother passed away this time last year and it's definitely making it much harder to cope. Feel free to message me anytime. Everybody is really kind and supportive on this forum.

[OCDMOM35 in reply to Qwerty325]

Sorry to hear your mom passed away last year. My heart goes out to you. My son feels that he cannot survive if I pass away and I am trying to convince him that there are people out there (like on this platform) that will support him mentally. Death is a natural thing and we cannot No one is an island and we need emotional support but if we do not share, we cannot find that needed support. I hope he joins.

[Qwerty325 in reply to OCDMOM35]

Thank you. I really hope he can try to join. In March/April I really had given up hope and was feeling suicidal, but I feel this forum saved me from ending my life because I realised how I wasn't the only person having intrusive thoughts or dealing with excessive guilt and anxiety. Prior to joining I had tried samaritans and my employee helpline, but nothing made as much difference as talking to people on here and reading about their experiences. I think it's a good place for your son to start because it's not as intimidating as seeing a therapist. Please also look at the ocd action website. I emailed them explaining what I was going through and they were also really helpful. You can call or email. The volunteers have all suffered from or had direct experience with OCD. There's a lot of support for family members too.

[OCDMOM35 in reply to Qwerty325]

Thank you for the advise. I feel so sad when you talk about suicide. Please know that as long as you are alive there is hope. At one point, after my mom died, I thought my son had suicidal thoughts too but he would not see a therapist at the time. I am glad he made it through that grief. I will definitely take a look at the action website. Sometimes I get so busy with work and he said when my mom died and I was working, there was no one to talk to as she was no longer at home with him. I will beg him to join this group as it is good for him to know other people are struggling too with OCD. Maybe he can get insight on how to deal with the struggles.

[Qwerty325 in reply to OCDMOM35]

I know thank you, that's why I'm trying to get help. I've never tried before so I'm hoping counselling or cbt etc will make a difference. I know you can't force things with your son , he doesn't even have to talk to anybody, but just read about what other people are going through and what has helped them.

[JessieV in reply to Qwerty325]

Qwerty325 how did the therapy go? I know that can be nerve wracking your first session or two, but I think it’s awesome you’re giving it a try!

[Qwerty325 in reply to JessieV]

Hi JessieV hope you're well. I just had my first talking therapy, I cried mostly. I tried to explain the OCD, but it was difficult. We spent more time talking about my mum so I've been referred for bereavement counselling before any CBT . Also this service can't give me an OCD diagnosis. I was advised to go back to my GP, but my GP is the one who referred me to talking therapies so I think I'm just going to leave it. I'll rely on OCD action website for that side of things. Thanks for asking and I hope you're doing ok

[JessieV in reply to Qwerty325]

I’m glad you made it through your session and got some recommendations for bereavement counseling. That sounds helpful. I’m so sorry about your mum! Navigating therapists and getting diagnoses is so hard, especially when you’re already exhausted and worn out! I’m struggling with some of that myself. I’m trying to tell myself it’s worth it. I think it will be. If I can help at all or encourage you or just commiserate and listen, let me know!

[Qwerty325 in reply to JessieV]

Thanks, that really means a lot. I'm on a waiting list now for counselling. Maybe I need to fight harder for the help with OCD, I'm not sure. Whenever I bring it up it's almost brushed under the carpet, I haven't got it in me to keep pushing for the help and part of me is scared to even talk about it. Thanks for the support and likewise I'm here too if you ever need to talk. It's so much easier to talk about it on this forum with people who understand. I'm never fully honest with the health professionals I've spoken to.

[JessieV in reply to Qwerty325]

I hear you! I finally took a leap of faith and decided it was worth it for me to enter a residential treatment program. I am so grateful to be around people who truly understand and know how to help. I hear other patients talk about their fears and thoughts and I can identify with them. I feel like I can talk without shame and they will understand. It is freeing. I hope you can find a place like that. Even if it’s just in outpatient therapy or a support group or here on the forum. I know some therapists really suck but some are good and truly life-changing. There is help out there. Don’t give up!

[Qwerty325 in reply to JessieV]

Wow, that sounds great and like it would really help. I'm glad you were able to participate in something like that. I think for now I'm going to have to stick with this forum or the OCD action website which is quite helpful. I might try and join a zoom session or support group. Let me know how things go with you and thanks for messaging 🙂

[JessieV in reply to Qwerty325]

Those sound like great options! Just know you’re not alone can be so helpful.

[BlackOnyx]

I currently work clothing retail, but the store I work at will be shutting down soon and I'll be unemployed. I was already working there before it was clear I had OCD and there are things there I used to do that I don't do now because of my OCD. I used to always be the one to take the garbage out but now I avoid it and wait for someone else to take it out for me. Also often a coworker will count the tills at the end of the day instead of me and when confirming the amount they have for a deposit they will count it out in front of me rather than me touching it to count it. I don't know if this is meant as an accommodation or just how they like to do things. As a result of covid we also have gloves I can use at work if I want. I haven't used them lately and was mostly using them if my hands were bleeding before but likely at some other times as well. It takes me a long time to get anything done and I've been told I need to pick up the pace but I'm not sure why I'm so slow at everything.