desperately seeking help

[OCDNIGHTMARE]

although I only received a diagnosis earlier this year, you'd have to go back over 30 years to my teens, when the first signs things weren't quite right began, a secret I've kept all this time, it was only earlier this year when I hit a real crisis and became extremely ill, I decided I had nothing to lose and for the first time opened up to someone thankfully that someone was my G.P, after years of battling depression, and keeping secret my ocd, I finally had a answer, My meds were changed I received therapy CBT and although for a while I felt I had the understanding and insight to be able to cope in a way I never had before, I'm losing the will to fight it any longer, there appears to be no rhyme or reason to it, the intrusive thoughts are so distressing, for example I go to sleep happy and content then can simply wake up overwhelmed with thoughts of harming myself or worse, wanting to ram a knife in my head just to make it stop, I'm so, so so tired, feel like I've lost all sense of whats what, I've become a recluse, is there any hope, anything else that can help??? or do I simply let it overwhelm me ?

[Dr Johanna Herrod]

Dear OCDNightmare,

It sounds very, very distressing for you. You must go back to your GP who will understand. Although the lifelong OCD probably has followed a fluctuant course you may have Depression on top. It may be that you need now to be referred to your local Psychiatrist who will be able to discuss further medication options (Yes it does work!) and access specialist psychological input.

Kind regards Dr Johanna Herrod