Hi Y'all...Wanted to Introduce Myself

Hello y'all!

I realized that I finally needed to find some people to talk to who understand after today. I suffer from OCD, and really, from what I've read, I have the form known as pure OCD. Recently, it has been an extraordinary struggle just to keep it in check, and I need a solution. It's making life even more difficult.

A little backstory: I also suffer from Crohns, asthma (well, not so much anymore...it's triggered by cig. smoke, which I avoid at all costs!), and arthritis related to the Crohns. So, that definitely adds to my anxiety levels (and embarrassment levels). The worst of all of them is driving though. I am afraid of driving anywhere in a city, and am slowly becoming more and more anxious about driving in almost any situation. I was pulled over when a was a teen for supposedly running a red light. I honestly 100% did not run the red light. It turned red when I was in the middle of the intersection. It was reduced to a parking ticket, but since then, my driving fears have only continued to develop. I hate driving in weather, at night, etc. Essentially, at 22, I am becoming completely debilitated. I tell people constantly that if I didn't have to drive, I would never even own a car. But, that's not a choice. It's related to my OCD due to the obsessions I develop. I think I hit a car, a person, etc., even though I have never, and am an extremely cautious driver (that twenty-something driving like a grandma? that's me!). That fear lasts for hours (sometimes days), and becomes all-consuming.

Right now, I use public transportation to get to work, even though it makes my commute last an hour and a half versus 20 or so minutes. I also walk a lot (which has been better in the long run), but can only do so much.

I can't do this anymore. I've seen a therapist for short-term stuff before, but have no idea where to even begin. I don't want more medication (I already take enough for the Crohns), but I want to able to drive without having a total meltdown anytime I get into a city driving, or really any driving situation. I feel like a fool, and really only my parents know how truly bad this fear is. But, we all know I can't avoid driving forever.

So, I need help. What do I do? Where do I begin?

Hi

Welcome to the forum good to meet you. Sorry to here you are having problems with your health and anxiety and I agree with SC about maybe giving therapy an other go I have done 3 lots of therapy and have found it useful. Keep us posted we are here to support you.

Hibee