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OCD and return to work

MattyContributor22 Aug 2015, 9:16 pm AEST

OCD and return to work

Hi there this is my story

I have severe ocd and have been off work for the last 8 months.

My OCD is environmental with myself scared to leave the house at times due to

what could be floating in the air.

If I smelt any smoke or strange smells I would shut or windows and doors of the house immediately .

If I was driving and I see dust floating across the road or smoke I would have a severe anxiety attack and stop

the car and turn it around trying to find another away around it.

I lost 15 kilograms of weight in 6 months due to myself being scared to touch food in case I contaminate it and the OCD

sometimes making me not even care about looking after myself.

I refused medication believing I could beat it myself but failed miserably.

I started taking medication and noticed a difference after around 3 weeks, I got my appetite back and would wake up

with plenty of energy keeping myself busy for most of the day.

I still had OCD thoughts however they would usually disappear after 10 to 15 minutes compared to days of previous reoccurring thoughts that would not go away.

i am due to return to work and have been on the medication for 2 and a half months problem is my anxiety levels are risiing rapidly again with OCD thoughts staying with me and I am wondering whether it is the fear of returning to work or is it possibly I have become used to the medication

Any advice or similar experiences please let me know

Thankyou

35 replies

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In response to: OCD and return to work

PeppiPattySenior Contributor28 Aug 2015, 1:28 am AEST

Re: OCD and return to work

Dear @Matty,

Can you see another GP?

It will be very interesting to read how your diary goes.

You write a little like someone who is thinking hard about your future. it makes me feel maybe if you can if its not too hard , could you find another G P to go to,

So you write .........' Everyone has their own problems. And your in charge of your own destiny and if you don't help yourself you can't let others fight the fight for you because you will lose the battle. '

I'm pretty clueless with this saying except does this mean .... Your on your own ?

You Matty show you are a caring person. You show that you truly love your family. That's so nice.....

In response to: OCD and return to work

MattyContributor28 Aug 2015, 9:57 am AEST

Re: OCD and return to work

I don't really want to see another GP because my GP knows my history and also speaks to my psychiatrist so together they are treating me.
What I am saying everyone has their own problems is OCD isolates you from the world
and I have friends but they have their own families and since I have distanced myself from them due to my illness they to have distanced themselves from me.
I am also alone due to my wife saying my marriage is all but over and not knowing if she will stay or go saying the kids r the only thing keeping us under the same roof.
Some days she won't even talk to me.
I have only one sister and all her family even her adult children no longer talk to me due to my illness.
The irony of that is my sister has been seeing a psychiatrist for years due to her mental illness continually washing her hands and cleaning.
So I really talk to no one about my illness as I am ashamed of what people will think of me that I am a Nutcase. And unless you have a mental illness you will struggle to understand the thoughts that go through my head on a daily basis.
I am not asking for sympathy I am just happy that I am able to share my views and thoughts on this forum as it is a kind of therapy for me helping me through the tough times

In response to: Re: OCD and return to work

AppleblossomSenior Contributor29 Aug 2015, 11:58 pm AEST

Re: OCD and return to work

I think it takes courage to reach out and share the way you have.

It is a risk to know whether the people you share with are going to treat you with respect or stigmatise you .. I dont think it is easy and from my perspective it is the "normals" who need to grow up and grow compassion and understanding ... in the meantime ... pls dont give up,

In response to: OCD and return to work

JoeTheLionSenior Contributor26 Sept 2016, 10:13 am AEST

My Fight with ocd

This comment has been moved by a moderator to another part of the forum where it might be more easily found by the community.

In response to: Re: OCD and return to work

PeppiPattySenior Contributor30 Sept 2016, 1:17 am AEST

Re: OCD and return to work

Hi @Matty

How are you today?

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