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Not sure if it’s my OCD or paranoia - any advice?

Posted , 3 users are following.

amy66627
amy66627

I’ve had intrusive thoughts OCD for a few months and the theme varies quite a lot. Recently I’ve been having a lot of paranoid thoughts, generally along the lines that someone’s going to kill me (whether it’s a stranger walking behind me or my boyfriend) - at the time the thought comes into my head I tell myself I’m being ridiculous and when I think it about my boyfriend I tell myself all the evidence about how much he cares about me etc but I still obsess about it for ages and to be honest I’m convincing myself that I’ve been wrongly diagnosed and actually have schizophrenia. It makes me feel really dizzy with anxiety because I was scared of developing schizophrenia even before the OCD started!

Does this sound like OCD or actual paranoia? Thank you!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Aspinan
    Aspinan amy66627

    Posted

    Hi Amy, I doubt you have OCD or paranoia, what it appears to be is just anxiety latching onto something and you ruminating and thinking about it all the time which is very different to full blown OCD and paranoia, you don't appear have schizophrenia either again it's typical anxiety behaviour. Your able to rationalise your thoughts it's just the anxiety stopping you from wholly believing that your thoughts are irrational. 

    Your thoughts are intrusive and they have become a focus for your anxiety but you don't appear to feel compelled to do anything, true paranoia and OCD are a far cry from what your experiencing.

    If you've not already done so you could do with speaking to your GP or psychiatrist about your thoughts and perhaps have a bit of councelling or CBT.

    Neil 

    • amy66627
      amy66627 Aspinan

      Posted

      Thanks for this, it’s scary how real it can feel even when you are able to rationalise it to a degree! 

      I have been diagnosed with pure O OCD a few months back, do you not think this is correct? Unfortunately I’m on a long waiting list for CBT

  • gabrielle34731
    gabrielle34731 amy66627

    Posted

    OCD comes in many forms...the obsessions can be intrusive thoughts, the compulsions, neutralising thoughts. The compulsions don't have to be physical ie. cleaning, washing hands etc. It is true that the core issue with OCD is anxiety. Anxiety drives the person to neutralise the intrusive thought, to seek reassurance...anything to stop a panic attack.  Mindfulness is a great way to help remain calm and simply observe the thought as just that...a thought...its is not fact, it is an irrational thought and has no true meaning. Use the STOPP breathing method to help calm your body and in doing so the thoughts will pass by. Hope this helps xx

    • amy66627
      amy66627 gabrielle34731

      Posted

      Thank you it’s just really scary how your mind can convince you of anything sad will try mindfulness and STOPP xx
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