Struggling with my OCD

[Alsar9]

Hello all, Im new here and I decided to join this group in order to see what other people with OCD experience, and hopefully find some good advice on how to deal with my OCD. It has become a really big problem this year but its something that I've had for as long as I can remember, I have not been properly diagnosed with OCD because my parents did not want me to be marked or treated as "special" when growing up as mental health was not taken as serious as it is today, Im 22 now; my OCD manifest in the rule of 3's, check everything 3 times but if the urge is strong enough, it can be more than 3, sometimes I wake up multiple times in the night to check if the fridge is closed, or if my car windows are up or my car is locked; sometimes Im anxious and hesitant to go home because I know that my OCD will act up and it has become time consuming. I want to get a proper diagnosis from a doctor but healthcare is just unaffordable to me at this time so I hope that anyone can share some good advice to help me navigate this twisted path or if there are some resources out there to use.

[Sallyskins]

It's a big problem for many in the USA - medical treatment and medical insurance being so expensive. Here in England we have the National Health Service, which means that we all have high quality free healthcare.

But there are things you can do to help yourself with OCD. If possible, go to your doctor and try medication to begin with. Medication for OCD usually consists of what are known as SSRI antidepressants. They can be very effective in damping down the worst of the OCD. They take 4-6 weeks to kick in, and they may be unpleasant for the first few weeks, but if you persist, they can make a difference.

The other effective treatment is CBT, or cognitive behavioural therapy. There are quite a few self-help books that explain how it works, and have exercises you can adapt to your own case. The ones I usually suggest are Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and The OCD Workbook, because they have worked for me, but there are others.

CBT takes a bit of getting used to - it is likely to involve, for you, going back to sleep and not checking the fridge or the car. The feelings of panic may swell, but they do subside. and you can congratulate yourself for scoring a point against OCD!

If the urges to check are too strong, and you give in and check the fridge, the car etc, then don't think of it as a failure. Just try again. It does work, but you need to be persistent.

Having OCD can be exhausting, but there are ways to get on over on it.

[LuvSun]

Welcome! You will get a lot of good advice on this forum. You are not alone in this- you can get better 😊

[aparente001]

Have you considered applying for Medicaid? Also, you might be able to find a Free Clinic. And doctors affiliated with a hospital will probably have Patient Financial Assistance.