I have drafted and deleted a couple of responses to this thread but just decided to go for it - if I over share so be it! I was challenged to be more open about my issues so here goes!
Firstly anyone who knows me will laugh if I say I have anxiety issues but I do. I have done for a long time. The person I am on this board is a toned down version of me in real life and I am not anxious, at least on the surface.
I have OCD and have had for a long time and it got to a point where it was starting to impact on my life and be noticed by other people. My OCD is about structure and process rather than compulsive washing or cleaning or anything of that sort. When it is bad I cant function outside of my routine. I cant go for a pint or to the pictures after work because ROUTINE! If I don't do the routine something bad but unspecified will happen. That could be anything from a late bus to work to being hit by a bus. Oddly the only safe spaces I had were work or at my partners. The first because the routine was designed to get me to and through a day at work without anyone noticing I was mad and the second because my brain hadn't thought to make it a problem.
It got to point where I needed to sort things out or I would sink. I had always been very anxious about the routine and thought the anxiety was a symptom of the OCD. It turns out the OCD was my brains way of managing anxiety and it was only after I got some really helpful treatment for the OCD that the anxiety showed itself.
I got to a stage where I couldn't make a decision for over thinking and catastrophising everything. I made myself get through the days at work (mainly because I am VERY stubborn and have learned to hide the mentalism) but I was starting to fall apart at home. I was also going through a really stressful period at work and it was starting to cause me to explode. I lost my rag ( really lost my rag) with a senior manager which was what told a couple of people things weren't right. They intervened and started the help process. I had to admit at the point things were bad. The senior person also called me when I was off sick to ask if I was ok and to say they didn't hold it against me.
Ultimately I was signed off work for a few months ( two periods : OCD and then anxiety) and really well supported by my employer. I have a new job, less stress and feel quite good.
Luckily ( I know it isn't like this elsewhere) we have a very good community mental health programme in MK. I got treatment for my OCD and then for my anxiety. My Dr was superb and got me medication, counselling and CBT which has really helped. I was on 200 mg sertraline for quite a while and I did have a visit or two to the crisis café when things got out of hand but I got through it. I wasn't ever a risk to myself or others but on a couple of occasions my brain just crashed and I was a bit manic. ( in MK you can self refer to the community team at any point WITOUT a Drs intervention)
I found really committing ( REALLY committing - not just turning up) to the counselling and CBT has been illuminating and vastly helpful not only for ma treatment but also a personal development point of view. After a long period of care and treatment my OCD is under control as is my anxiety. I have a few flashes of the later from time to time but some of the skills from the CBT have got me through.
I cant claim any expertise but CBT and counselling have really worked for me. All I will say is that if you are struggling talk to someone. Don't suffer. Just talk and get some help. These days most places and most people are supportive of mental health issues and the earlier you tackle the issue the easier it will be to sort out.
@malc-c &
@GS250 - keep going with treatment and don't be scared to ask for help.