Please, help.

[Ariadnee]

Hello, everyone. I hope this post finds you well! The last 11 years (19-30) I suffer from OCD, I managed to address the most scaring part of it, but during the last year I fear everyday for my parents health. I can not calm down and can not escape the thought that something bad will happen. I fear for the results of their casual annual check-up. What can I do? I want to live my life and feel free, at last. Psychotherapy will probably help but at the time I find it very difficult to cover the expenses... Does anyone else feel like I do? What can I do in order to live my life? I am stressed every day... When I fear something very bad and then nothing happens, I promise to myself that I will calm down and then I something else triggers me.

(I am sorry for any mistakes, english is not my mother tongue)

[Carbon21]

Hello Ariadne, although I don’t have these feelings (my parents are both deceased many years) , I suspect my child may feel this way about me. I’ve always suspected it was the cause of the rituals. I just came here to tell you that there’s nothing anyone here can do to choose when we leave this earth. My mom lost her life to cancer, my dad beat cancer and lost his life in a car accident. I have several relatives that lost their children to illnesses. I try to live my life to the fullest and not in fear of dying. Try to be more spiritual or religious, maybe it will ease the worry of what happens after death. I truly believe my parents watch over me, I get signs from them all the time. I’m sorry I can’t help you more but I want you to know my only fear is the worry of my kids fears so please try to be strong, your parents will probably live a nice long life.. enjoy it with them without the fear of something no one can control.

[Ariadnee in reply to Carbon21]

Thank you. God bless your family!! 🙏🙏🙏

[Carbon21 in reply to Ariadnee]

Thank you, you too 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[HHeerssen]

Hello Ariadnee

First of all your English is good. But, please try to live one day at a time. And when your OCD is making you fear the worst, just remember that what OCD does. And you can rest assured that OCD is always wrong!! Life is many trials and tribulations as we all have them. I don't know if you are religious, but our Lord Jesus Christ is always with us and no one can control how long we will live. And He says Peace be with you.

As for your counseling, many therapists will work with you on the expenses by having a sliding scale. May God bless.

[Ariadnee in reply to HHeerssen]

I have to always be reminded that OCD is wrong... That's what I've been thinking...

[Brighter_Days]

You have free access to the greatest Counselor the world has ever known….JESUS!!

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

[Ariadnee in reply to Brighter_Days]

Thank you!! God bless ❤️

[Brighter_Days]

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

[newmercies]

Hi Ariadnee,Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry you are experiencing this. i know what it's like to live with fear of something bad happening to others and how debilitating that can be. I struggle with contamination OCD, so I have similar concerns to you. I think the biggest piece of advice I can give is to acknowledge your fear, validate it, and then do what you value doing anyway. Let the fear be there, don't try to ignore it or push it away, i've found this often makes the fear bigger. Tell the fear, "I see you, fear, and I hear you, but I'm not going to let you make my decisions for me." I recommend checking out Kimberely Quinlan on instagram, she is an OCD therapist who talks a lot about living with fear as well as self-compassion. I hope this helps. Rooting for you.

[blueturtle28 in reply to newmercies]

purplepenguins14, Your advice is excellent!

[Ariadnee in reply to blueturtle28]

Thank you 🙏

[Ariadnee in reply to newmercies]

I struggle with contamination OCD too. Your advice is very helpful. "I see you, fear, and I hear you, but I'm not going to let you make my decisions for me." 🙏🙏🙏

[3BirdLover]

Do you have health insurance? If so, it should pay for all (or at least most) of your treatment. Are you on meds? Please talk about what you are currently doing.

[Ariadnee in reply to 3BirdLover]

Unfortunately, I haven't. And no health insurance covers therapy in my country...

[madame-souris in reply to Ariadnee]

But does it cover psychiatry? I would think that would be covered and could help.

[blueturtle28]

Ariadnee, Your was clear to me! Good job. Purplepenguin gave you excellent suggestions. Kimberley Q. is a resource to look up on the internet. She offers alot to the ocd community. I have also heard that Nocd is helpful. Stay strong.💙

[Ariadnee in reply to blueturtle28]

Thank you! I'll check Kimberly Q. and Nocd. 🙏

[Ariadnee]

Thank you all so much!! Your concern and advice mean so much to me. It's amazing that, although we don't know each other, we get so much help. Thank you so much!! I already feel better.

[3BirdLover]

Will your health insurance cover medication? If you can start some meds for OCD, we can help you with other resources to help you with learning to control your compulsions....!

[mikejack]

You can try Mindfulness Meditation, Yoga and ERP. These are very effective in treating OCD. I'm also survived by my old Aunty only. I too worry about her health.