Avatar Posted by OCDocdOCDocdOCDocd 43 days ago (Question)
My OCD, over the past few years, has taken a lot out of me. I didn’t know I had OCD for a long time, and it got really bad before I got treatment. As a result of all of this, people in my school think I am less intelligent than I probably am.

Bad OCD takes a lot of cognitive work—all the mental compulsions, all the doubts, all the second guessing—so sometimes one cannot spend one’s energy on other things, like talking eloquently and engaging in chit chat. Additionally, I have talking and writing obsessions and compulsions, which made my writing and speech even worse, when I was very bad.

I’m trying to do better in school, and I think I can because I’m getting treatment, but I’m worried that people at school won’t give me a second chance, or won’t understand that my past performance was strongly affected by my illness. How can I let them know these things? I think currently I’m seen as a joke by other students, but they have no idea about the mental rituals that take up so much time, make me act strange and interfere with my thought and speech. Mostly, they just make fun of me. Has anyone else dealt with this before? Thoughts?



Answers

Written by Chemar 42 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Hi

my son has Tourette Syndrome, which often manifests with co-morbid OCD. In fact his OCD probs have always bothered him a lot more than his tics. When all this began to fully manifest, he was only 10yo. He was actually very proactive in telling his peers about OCD and TS and it was pretty amazing how the other students seemed to want to learn and understand. It really helped them "get" him and the "eccentricities" that accompany his diagnosis. He continued this upfront approach whenever the situation warranted, and it has been a very positive approach for him in terms of his social acceptance. In one grade, he actually asked if he could address his classmates to do a short "speech" about the disorders to explain. It was really well received by most of the other kids

Obviously there are always unkind and insensitive people....sadly that's life! nomatter what the circumstances. But one just has to learn to deal with those and try to stay as removed from them as possible. Most other people are really very understanding when they are nicely told about someone else's condition or circumstances or whatever.

I dont know if this is possible for you in your situation, but that is what worked for him

also, you mention your treatment. Just wondering...are you having Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? Do you take meds or use the natural supplements/diet/nutrition plan that many people with OCD have also found helpful? Often, especially with intense OCD, the combination of either of those works best in conjunction with CBT.

My son initially started on SSRI (anti-depressant) meds to help boost his serotonin, which is usually deficient in people with OCD. He had pretty yuck side effects, and so we switched to the nutritional treatments, in conjunction with acupuncture, and the CBT, and I have been truly amazed at how thing are more stabilized for him now. His OCD really had taken over his life at one point. He is almost 20yo now and really doing great.

I told all that to encourage you that it really is possible to find help with severe OCD, and become more socially integrated :)

whatever your treatment is, it is clearly having a good result in that you are seeking to re-establish yourself now that you feel your are responding well to the treatment. Good for you! and may it just keep getting better :)

Written by JunieBeatrice 42 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Hi. You said you are in treatment. I wonder if it is a therapy type setting where you could ask for some suggestions from your therapy provider and then role-play those responses before using them in the real world so you become comfortable with a conversation regarding your OCD. I am not sure how old you are but if you are in college it is possible at the new term, you will be in new classes with new peers and it will not be so necessary to change the perceptions individuals have of you because they will not have any yet. If that is not the case and you will have the same peers for a while, while undergoing treatment, your ocd becomes more controlled and you are able to perform better at school gradually people will notice. It may take time. So it seems you can have a couple of options and choices and paths. You will just need to work on figuring out what is best for you. I wonder though, if it is possible to work on getting the ocd under control, focus on yourself and your studies and not worry what others think. If you have to do a lot of group work that can be difficult but if it is mostly individual projects, try to not add the pressure on yourself of other's views. Good luck to you. All my best. Junie

Written by bellacutie 42 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

I really feel for your situation - it must be exhausting dealing with all the impulses and urges. I'm sure you're very smart. I think Chemar gave you a great idea about being honest and open to your school mates. Addressing the class and educating them is a wonderful idea. I think your teachers and the principal should also help you with this. Ever since my oldest daughter's been in school. there has been this hearing impaired boy in her class. From the first year people came in and educated the class about his condition. I think young people are generally very accepting of other people's conditions. Like Chemar said there will always be a few mean people. Best of luck.

Written by OCDocdOCDocdOCDocd 42 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

Thanks for your replies and great advice. Yes, I am getting CBT, and am starting meds and developing lifstyle changes. Thanks, Chemar, for your suggestions. I need all the help I can get! :)

Written by Clyde 41 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

It definitely would not hurt to ask your therapist for ideas either.

However, how does the saying go, kinda? The best revenge is to live a good life? Start anew, and try to make the best changes you can.

Best,

Clyde


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