New to here, but not new to OCD

[Anxiouslybalanced]

Hello! I am Krista from Kansas! I am a therapist who treats OCD, BFRBS, and BDD. I also have OCD. I am a new IOCDF advocate also!

I was diagnosed when I was 24 but recall my earliest obsessions beginning at the age of 8. The OCD community is incredibly supportive and I am happy that everyone is here! Together we can support each other ❤️

[mind-full]

Welcome!

I can also recall early obsessions beginning at the young age of eight or ten. It wasn't until my early twenties, however, that OCD became a significant antagonist.

I look forward to seeing your thoughts as a therapist in the field of OCD, BDD, and BFRBS.

Kind regards!

[Sallyskins]

Many of us can trace OCD behaviour back to childhood but didn't get a diagnosis until many years later. I certainly can. I had to diagnose myself - I had a really incompetent therapist who knew what my symptoms were but refused to tell me it was OCD, which I hadn't heard of. My mother got me a book called 'Living with Fear' by Isaac Marks. There my symptoms were described, and treatment explained. I got really cross with my therapist for not telling me what it was, and offering treatment that would work! Fortunately I've had some good therapists since then.

I'm sure having OCD yourself helps to inform the treatment you give others and is all the better for that.

[Mcfly64]

Welcome 🙏

[helloworld22]

At around age 7 or so I would come home with lined sheets of paper for practicing penmanship by writing rows of letters. I was so compelled to get each letter right that I nearly wore holes in the paper with the eraser while I corrected and re-corrected my work.

[Momminwithocd]

I remember my first insession starting at about age 12 after watching the exorcist, I became paralyzed by thoughts that I was going to get possessed that she was coming for me. I stopped watching all scary movies, especially those with posession and I became afraid to sleep and afraid to go to church etc. At the age of 30 I still refuse to watch any movie with possession and still haven't gone to church due to extreme anxiety. I have continued on through life until just before my 30th birthday with no diagnosis. I was officially diagnosed in December of 2022 after having the theme of Harm OCD. Now that I am working with a therapist we have looked at every aspect of my life and can say I have gone through many other subtypes of OCD over the years. Religuous, Just right, symmetry, rocd, health, and now harm. I also have bfrbs (skin picking) that I do when I feel anxious. OCD has impacted my life so much! I am so glad I have found this community!

[LuvSun in reply to Momminwithocd]

I can relate to you about how you felt after watching the “Exorcist”. I was also about your age and was terrified about being possessed. I also have always avoided watching anything relating to that. That was the scariest movie ever! I have OCD as well and struggled when my daughters were born and growing up. I just felt like I had to everything perfect for their health and well being.