Doubt in my diagnosis

[MamaHopeful]

in many ways OCD symptoms resemble PTSD. I'm glad I did the OCD for a few sessions and learned how avoiding what I'm afraid of entrenches the fear deeper and greater. There are many nuances to that, I"m just being simplistic. So learning how the thought processes go with OCD I think helped me when I moved toward the PTSD treatmet. For the most part the OCD symptoms lifted when I started PTSD processing, but the OCD is still there and rears it's ugly head now and then. For example right now I'm in an OCD loop and trying my hardest not to avoid, and pay attention to what my feelings are feeling and my thoughts are thinking.

However, this OCD loop underneath it, what is fueling it is the PTSD "feelings" because it's a triggering situation I'm in right now. I feel like I am in f*cking danger and it is awful feeling and I just want to run to safety. I feel like crying I'm so afraid. I have to repeat to myself it's not my fault what is happening to me right now, and try to understand that my emotions and body thinks I'm "back there" and in current danger. I just wish it would end. Yes, I too often feel so messed up and wonder will it ever end?

I want to say I hear your story. I do. And I'm very thankful you shared. I am so sorry you are in a fearful situation. I am too and it is the WORST. I have cried each morning for days.

And. I don't know what your "ocd loop" is. So it could be that you have OCD or it could be that you are hypervigilant right now and your brain in on a "scan for danger PTSD" loop. Again, I am not here to diagnose or to say what it and it not happening. I am just offering another way of interpreting "ocd loop."

Obsessive worrying in a loop is not ONLY OCD. I have been told that mine is directly related to my PTSD. The hypervigilance causes extreme worry and looping. I just ruminate constantly about what happened to me, and then think of ways to make sure it will never happen again. When I have a flashback I become terrified that they will never end and worry that I'll be stuck like this forever NONSTOP worry. Is it obsessive? Yes. Is it OCD? No.

I say this now because I'm not in the middle of a panic like I was when I first posted. And I now have some distance from the terror of when I first posted.

I hope this makes sense. Again, I am so so so very sorry about your current fear. Sending big hugs!

 

[MamaHopeful]

I want to say I hear your story. I do. And I'm very thankful you shared. I am so sorry you are in a fearful situation. I am too and it is the WORST. I have cried each morning for days.

And. I don't know what your "ocd loop" is. So it could be that you have OCD or it could be that you are hypervigilant right now and your brain in on a "scan for danger PTSD" loop. Again, I am not here to diagnose or to say what it and it not happening. I am just offering another way of interpreting "ocd loop."

Obsessive worrying in a loop is not ONLY OCD. I have been told that mine is directly related to my PTSD. The hypervigilance causes extreme worry and looping. I just ruminate constantly about what happened to me, and then think of ways to make sure it will never happen again. When I have a flashback I become terrified that they will never end and worry that I'll be stuck like this forever NONSTOP worry. Is it obsessive? Yes. Is it OCD? No.

I say this now because I'm not in the middle of a panic like I was when I first posted. And I now have some distance from the terror of when I first posted.

I hope this makes sense. Again, I am so so so very sorry about your current fear. Sending big hugs!

This link may help explain better what I was trying to say:
Exaggerated Fear of Danger May Be Hypervigilance in PTSD

 

[EveHarrington]

Obsessions suck.

I have a number of hated symptoms, but this one ranks right up near the top.

I’m on a tiiiny dose of a medication that stops the obsessions in their tracks. (It was a symptom untouched by coping skills.)

 

[nomorefear]

Which workbook are you referring to?

It's called The PTSD workbook : Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms by Mary Beth Williams

 

[nomorefear]

Thank you so much for this. Which workbook are you referring to?
My OCD symptoms are: intrusive images/thoughts, and nonstop worry that I am unsafe. Like NONSTOP some days my brain is telling me YOU ARE IN DANGER.
I also doubt everything. Meaning, I have very little trust in people and doubt my own brain.
Thank you again. I cannot say just how helpful this space is.

It's called The PTSD workbook : Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms by Mary Beth Williams