How can I not be scared to go for a mental health diagnosis?

[Anonymous]

Sorry this is quite a long post but thank you if you read it all lol.

I have been having counselling throughout this year, and I have spoken to 3 healthcare professionals. They have all said I could be suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and 2 of them suggested I see a GP to be checked or diagnosed. I put it off at first because I was scared. But when the 3rd professional mentioned the GP just a few days ago, I thought it is something I should do and not put off anymore. So I've booked an appointment with a GP, but I'm still scared.

Firstly, I'm scared that the GP will find nothing wrong. It's not that I want something to be wrong, but I have experienced many symptoms since I was 9 that don't sound healthy, especially for someone as young as I was when it all started. Some symptoms sound particularly scary, so I worry that if nothing is found then maybe this is just who I am rather than something in me that can be treated. I would be confused and worried about how to overcome it.

Secondly, I'm scared because I will have to hide it from my family if I do get diagnosed. When I told my mum and sister this summer, they were concerned thinking that a demon/evil spirit caused the symptoms. They wanted to take me to church to speak to Godly people about it. They also believe a GP could lock me up in an institution and that my chances of having a job can be affected. Because of this, my mum has asked me not to tell anyone (apart from Godly people). I'm 21 and old enough to do this but I feel kinda bad going behind their backs.

Thirdly, it would be difficult to explain it to e. g future boyfriends, friends etc, especially if I'm in a situation where I'm caught doing something. The symptoms are based on some sensitive subjects, so I wouldn't want to be looked at funny.

I don't want to overthink it or anything, but I'm scared. Is there any way to be less scared about it?

Updates

+1 y

Hi everyone, thank you for your support and for answering my question. I saw the GP today and they identified OCD with an element of depression. I've been prescribed with some medication, so I hope to start getting better! xx

[kaylaS91]

Just remember that going to get an official diagnosis is for your own good.
It sounds like you almost definitely have some mental issues which is something more people than you'd realize also have to deal with, which often comes as a shock due to how taboo and stigmatized getting officially diagnosed with a mental disorder still is. Which, unfortunately results in many with the disorders progressing to be in a much worse state than they could've otherwise been, had they received some therapy to curb the abnormal or unusual behaviours.

As for your family possibly thinking that you're possessed or whatever.. You can go along with what they believe to be true and get exorcised and, when they see that that method was unsuccessful of relieving you from your issues, maybe they'll start to warm up to the idea of getting a proper assessment from an md. It sounds like you're caught between going along with what your family believes (which tbqh sounds like some old-age wiccan/Christian shit with dark spirits and whatnot versus acknowledging the fact that we're human and sometimes, the brain will be a bit miswired) and receiving the medical/psychological care that has been proven to have successful forms of treatment and diagnosis.

However, you're old enough to make decisions about your own health on your own accord.

[Asker]

Thanks so much for your answer :) Yeah I'm caught between the Christian side and the medical side. Although seeing a GP scares me because I'm new to it, I definitely still want to. But seeing Godly people about it scares me more because I know how they often react to things like this, and I don't want to see them.

I actually did have an experience in a church about a month and a half ago, where I was told that I had a demon inside me. And while I was being prayed for, they started 'speaking to the demon' in me, giving it instructions and demanding it answered them. I think it was me feeling forced to answer rather than a demon inside me, since I left the church feeling worse than I already felt before. But I don't want a similar experience if I talk to a Godly person about my symptoms. And my denomination can often believe if you're not immediately healed then you don't have enough faith.

[Asker]

And yeah I agree I'm old enough to do this, but it's a matter of what could happen if my family find out

[RandomReindeer]

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is quite common and I've know a fair few people with this issue. This includes a guy at my old workplace you would check that his car doors where locked about 20 times before starting work. A friend at uni who would need everything to be perfectly centred. To my uncle who keeps his house obsessively clean and made me wash a window because I left a fingerprint on it when I was only 8.

It's quite common and most people know what it is. My friend from uni said it was a relief to be diagnosed as he now knew why he was different. A GP would also recommend you treatment to lessen your symptoms.

A GP cannot lock anyone up for having OCD. And I highly doubt that it the work of an evil sprit, but rather a common condition that affects a lot of people.

I highly doubt your diagnosis will be negative. Not after 3 healthcare professionals.

Don't be scared. A diagnosis will help you and get you in touch with others with your condition. So don't worry :)

[Asker]

Thanks :)

[CyberToothTiger]

I give you credit for getting a mental health diagnosis.
The only thing you can do is rest assure a doctor can not
lock you up unless you tell them you have a plan to self
harm your self or you have a plan to harm someone else
than they may be able to 302 you which means you have
to voluntarily sign your self in the hospital for that particular
kind of mental problem. Also you could be 303 which means
they voluntarily commit you to a hospital without your permission
which is very unlikely that is like 1 and million chance to happen
Please don't be afraid cause i been to many psychiatrist and i
can honestly say they have never locked me up cause by rights
they are not allowed to lock you up. Just take a deep breath
and make that step cause you want feel better and get on the
right track with life and your health.

[Asker]

Thanks very much :) I know it's very unlikely I'll be locked up but it would be hard explaining that to my family, which is why I'm hiding this from them.

Were you scared when you went to see psychiatrists?

[CyberToothTiger]

You're Welcome :) Yes my first time was scary but I been under treatment and i kept telling myself that I needed to be in treatment. I was so bad i couldn't walk out a distance without feeling that Dissociation disorder acting up with me. That disorder is feeling of non-existence and it's very scary to have it comes with having Bipolar disorder but yes my first time i was afraid but just keep telling your self you want feel better and it will happen. I do wish you the best and hope you feel better it's rough i know that for a fact it can be long battle.

[Asker]

Aww I'm sorry to hear about your experiences. How are you coping with it now? It's just I don't want someone, especially someone in my family, to catch me taking medication or something. My family will feel hurt if they find out about this GP stuff again, and my dad is the only one at home who doesn't know about it at all.

I just want to get it over and done with asap because this fear is bothering me

[CyberToothTiger]

You're welcome :) Hope you feel better !!!

[goldfinch23]

They don't lock you somewhere unless you'll become danger for yourself or for your surrounding. Most likely you'll end up on medication and some kind of psychotherapy. So nothing to worry about. About your future friends : there's no reason to tell them, unless you will trust them 100% and you will feel that need.

[Asker]

Thank you :)

[JJJ001100]

The GP won't provide you with a diagnosis, probably a referral to a specialist. A diagnosis might me made after a few or many visits (not sure about OCD?) could be in conjunction with something else. OCD is a debilitating disorder and its really good you are going for help now. They will not lock you up unless you are a danger to yourself or other people. You are smart to get a professional opinion, never mind your family. Good luck :)

[Asker]

Thank you :)

[BeneAngel]

I recently just went through the same thing. My best advice is to just take everything as they come and try not to focus on the future too much. I know you must not be able to help but wonder all the "what ifs" (I've been the same way), but you should just take them as they came, or you'd just be stressing and worrying yourself too much :)

[Asker]

Thanks very much! Have you been given a diagnosis?

[BeneAngel]

Clinical depression and mild anxiety

[BeneAngel]

I say that you should definitely get yourself checked, because honestly, you never know what you could be dealing with. In the long run, your doctors will be the one helping you compensate and overcome whatever it is you're experiencing.

[Asker]

How are you coping with it? Hope you're doing alright!

Yeah I definitely will get checked, thanks :)

[BeneAngel]

I'm steady right now, thanks to my therapy and medication. Definitely better than when I hadn't gotten myself checked.

Hope you'll be okayy too :)

[Asker]

Aww great, hope you'll continue getting better! Thank you :)

[GoldCobra]

You gotta get some balls bro! Lol jk. Just know you will come out of there better than when you went in there. Remember, you are going for a REASON. To improve your life in some way. Consider that

[Asker]

Thanks :)

[GoldCobra]

No problem. Good luck

[Anonymous]

"they were concerned thinking that a demon/evil spirit caused the symptoms"

looks like they could use some therapy as well!

[Asker]

Haha we're Christians so they look at it from that sort of perspective

[Opinion Owner]

thats truly messed up xx

[Asker]

It's definitely not easy!

[Opinion Owner]

the mind is another body part just like your arms or your stomach. it can get hurt and sometimes it needs treating. there is nothing shameful about that. more people than you know have had therapy at some point. most people dont talk about it because its such a taboo subject for some reason.

I've had therapy for over 6 years and im a completely different person than i was before. in a good way!

[Asker]

Oh I meant it's not easy that my family have that view but I don't agree. Yeah I understand that it's seen as taboo. I kept quiet about it for many years. That's great that therapy has helped you :)

[bcromartie]

Nope.

[Asker]

Do you mean 'nope' as in there's no way to be less scared about it?