How to Tell Your Therapist “I Think I Have OCD”

Have you ever been in a therapy session and felt like, “I think I have OCD, but I’m not sure how to bring it up?” You might be afraid of overacting, not fully understanding what’s going on, being misunderstood, or not being taken seriously. You might even question whether your problems are “worthy enough” to raise.

If you can relate to this experience, you’re not the only one who feels that way. Discussing your intrusive thoughts, visions, impulses, or compulsions can be awkward. But sharing your worries can help you learn about yourself and get the necessary support.

At Minds That Matter, we believe that you deserve to be able to discuss your mental wellbeing without being afraid of being judged. You don’t need to come with a diagnosis, just tell us what you’re observing.

Why It Can Feel Hard to Say “I Think I Have OCD”

OCD, otherwise referred to as obsessive-compulsive disorder, can include invasive thoughts, fear, doubt, and compulsions or obsessions. Many individuals become embarrassed and afraid of their thoughts, particularly when their thoughts conflict with their beliefs and character. This kind of thinking makes it challenging to strike up a conversation. Please remember that there is no need for you to self-diagnose first to seek professional assistance.

Your psychologist will be able to hear your worries, pose some questions, and guide you through.

You might wonder:

•        "What if my thoughts seem peculiar?"

•        "What if I am just overthinking?"

•        "What if I have no OCD at all?"

•        "What if my psychologist considers me to be exaggerating?"

•        "What if I cannot describe everything properly?"

How to Tell Therapist You Think You Have OCD

Begin with an upfront approach. It is not necessary for you to give an accurate explanation.

Say something along these lines:

“There have been certain thoughts and behaviors occurring lately that are troubling me, and I wonder whether it might be related to my OCD. Do we have time to discuss this?”

Alternatively, you can use the following:

“Although I believe that I suffer from OCD, I am not quite sure. I want to share with you what has been going on.”

Talk About Your Thoughts

An important aspect of OCD is the presence of intrusive thoughts.

These thoughts are likely to be:

•        Unclean, ill

•        Being a danger to other people

•        Committing an awful mistake

•        A losing control situation

•        Betrayal and relationships

•        Religious and moral issues

•        Having sexual fantasies

•        Desire for certainty and reassurance

•        Something going wrong if you don’t follow through on certain actions

It’s unnecessary to hide any thoughts that make you uncomfortable since you’re ashamed of them. Thoughts are very convincing and terrifying; however, simply having the thought does not mean wanting it to happen.

Tell your therapist about everything you observe truthfully. You can even say: “I feel embarrassed discussing this issue; however, I really need some help with these thoughts.”

Explain What You Do to Reduce Your Anxiety

Not all cases of OCD will have observable compulsions like excessive hand washing or locking the door many times. At times, you might be performing your compulsions mentally. These acts may offer temporary alleviation of anxiety, but the comfort is not usually long-lasting. In fact, you may find yourself wanting to do the same act once more.

Examples include:

•        Rechecking things over and over again

•        Soliciting reassurance from others

•        Surfing the web for an answer

•        Repeating words in your head

•        Picturing conversations that occurred before

•        Counting and repeating actions

•        Avoiding certain places, people, items, and circumstances

•        Cancelling out an intrusive idea in your mind

•        Analyzing your emotions again

•        Searching for absolute certainty before acting

Tell Your Therapist How OCD-Like Symptoms Affect Your Life

In describing your problems, mention how it affects your daily routine.

You may use any of these statements:

"I tend to double-check things, and I feel tired all the time."

Or,

"I cannot stop thinking if I did something wrong; hence, I always ask for confirmation."

You can mention that your symptoms interfere with:

•        Your work/school

•        Your relationships

•        Your sleep pattern

•        Your ability to focus

•        Your daily routine

•        Your social interactions

•        Decision making

•        Relaxation

What If You Are Afraid of Being Judged?

It is perfectly normal to be worried about being judged. Symptoms associated with mental illnesses can be very private and embarrassing, especially if the thoughts are invasive on sensitive subjects.

The therapy setting should allow you to speak freely about difficult situations without feeling ashamed. The therapist can assist you with exploring the thoughts and behaviors without linking unwanted thoughts to your character.

If you have difficulties opening, begin your conversation with a statement like:

“I am afraid you will judge me for what I am about to tell you.”

This sentence will set you on a path to a valuable discussion.

You Do Not Need to Know Whether You Have OCD

A common misunderstanding when looking for treatment for a mental issue is that one has to first identify their problem before seeking help.

This is not the case.

It is acceptable to say,

"I am not sure if I have OCD. All I know is that these thoughts and behaviors are causing me distress."

The mental health professional will evaluate your symptoms and determine if OCD is what you have. There are other mental health problems that may also share similar symptoms.

What to Prepare Before Your Therapy Session

If you freeze up during your appointments, prepare some notes ahead of time.

Prepare a list with:

1.      What thoughts keep returning?

2.      When and where does the problem occur?

3.      What do you do to make yourself feel more comfortable?

4.      How frequent is the problem?

5.      How long does it take?

6.      How does it affect your life?

7.      What would you like to figure out?

You will be able to use these notes during the appointment. You won’t have to remember everything.

What Happens After You Bring Up OCD?

Some of the questions that your counselor will ask include those related to your thoughts, compulsions, anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and general functioning in your daily activities.

It is through the discussion that you get to learn more about yourself and figure out what will be useful in helping you cope.

In case OCD forms an integral part of your therapy, your counselor may also discuss different techniques and strategies that are used in treating patients with OCD.

You Can Start with One Sentence

However, if there is one thing that should stick with you after reading this entire guide, it is:

You do not have to find the exact words to tell your therapist that you suspect having OCD.

You can just say:

“I think I may have OCD, and I would like to discuss certain thoughts and actions I have been having.”

It’s really that simple.

Minds That Matter will listen to your concerns with compassion and respect. Speaking about the intrusive thoughts and compulsions that you have had may be hard, but initiating the discussion will help you gain more insight.

Final Thoughts

Telling the therapist about the presence of obsessive-compulsive disorder in yourself may be a scary thing, particularly if your symptoms include some thoughts or actions which you find to be shameful or scary.

You do not need to self-diagnose. There is no need to explain everything properly; all you have to do is to share your experiences and feelings.

However difficult it might seem – whether you decide to talk, write a note or just say something – taking this step will be essential for understanding your own state.

In case you suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms, consider consulting with a qualified psychologist. Minds That Matter can become your starting point in this case.

FAQs

1. How should I approach my therapist when I believe I have OCD?

Simply state, for instance, “I believe I may be suffering from OCD, and I would like to discuss some thoughts and behaviors that have been bothering me.” There is no need for you to diagnose yourself right away.

2. But what if I am ashamed about my OCD?

Then let your therapist know that you are ashamed. Alternatively, you can list your OCD symptoms in writing prior to the session. Begin with the one that feels the easiest for you to discuss.

3. Is it okay to ask my therapist whether I have OCD?

Certainly, you can ask whether your symptoms may indicate OCD. A specialist in mental health can evaluate your condition better than you yourself.

4. What symptoms shall I share with my therapist?

Discuss any recurring intrusive thoughts, anxiety, ritualistic behaviors, mental rituals, seeking assurance, and anything that seems hard to manage. Share how these issues impact your day-to-day living.

5. Is it possible for OCD to have thoughts but no visible compulsions?

Yes. In some cases, there is a presence of compulsions in a mental form rather than a visible one. Mental reviewing, repetition of phrases, analyzing, searching for certainty, and mental checking are examples of these.