OCD in College - Advice?

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>This is Soarer again. You might have seen in my earlier thread here in the "LD/ADHD" forum. To recap, I have been struggling with mental issues for a long time, but my first two years of college have been especially rough on me, both academically and for my mental well-being. (i.e. a 2.5 GPA, confused about what to do after college...) I finally took action and sought a psychologist's help. She diagnosed the problem (the main one, anyway) as OCD and has referred me to a specialist in OCD.</p>

<p>You can read up elsewhere on how OCD can manifest itself. It takes its toll on me in varying ways specifically in college. These include:</p>

<ul>
<li>Focusing on stupid little annoying things rather than the big issue when studying</li>
<li>Taking too long on tests due to this useless and unwanted but inevitable "perfectionism"</li>
<li>Can't sleep (not because of conventional insomnia, but because one of my compulsions is to walk up and down the hall a certain number of times)</li>
<li>Every little thing roommate does bugs/worries me (might also stem from a traumatic bullying incident first semester freshman year)</li>
<li>Easily distracted</li>
<li>"Overloaded" by stress (can't keep track of anything - when something unexpected happens, can't go back to what I was doing)</li>
<li>Silly interests (i.e. looking for a certain model of car on the street outside, tree species (!)) that are "relaxing" (perhaps escapes from compulsion?) but really time-consuming</li>
</ul>

<p>...and of course, terrible obsessions/compulsions that can ruin ANY, and I mean ANY activity, especially under stress or something impending.</p>

<ul>
<li>Some of these may not be directly related to OCD, but these are what I face every day.</li>
</ul>

<p>Questions/"food for thought" topics:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>The OCD-specializing psychologist uses cognitive-behavioral therapy. Anyone have experience with this?</p></li>
<li><p>I would rather not resort to medication.</p></li>
<li><p>Will my college recognize OCD and my resulting time-related frustrations as a "learning disability" and be able to provide accomodations/extra resources?</p></li>
</ul>

<p>(They have a "learning center", but are they required to provide resources for ALL conditions that could affect learning? Boston College, by the way.)</p>

<ul>
<li>And most importantly, does anyone have any "success stories"/how they dealt with their OCD, etc. in college?</li>
</ul>

<p>Any and all input would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>Thank you,
Soarer</p>

2

<ul>
<li>The OCD-specializing psychologist uses cognitive-behavioral therapy. Anyone have experience with this?</li>
</ul>

<p>For the obsessions and compulsions of OCD (not sure about the rest of the stuff you listed), this is absolutely where the best outcomes lie.</p>

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<p>Just found this topic while searching for scholarships ideas for my daughter who has OCD. Soarer, if you are still around, I’d be interested in hearing about how you are doing, now that you have sought help.</p>

<p>My daughter is a HS junior. I read her your list and she started laughing, in recognition. Even the bullying issue. She was diagnosed as a freshman. Therapy and meds really have helped. Getting the right meds took some time but has been so worth it. Don’t discount them just because. Diabetics don’t want to “resort” to insulin but their body’s chemistry requires it. </p>

<p>As a freshman, she was controlled by her obsessions (including obesessions concerning illnesses, death and sounds) and the resulting lack of sleep. She is heavy on the obsessions but had just a few compulsions. She was failing school, unable to maintain friendships, and really having a tough time, in general. Two years later, with therapy, meds and a whole lot of perserverance, she is quite happy, doing well in school and has great friends. She continues to sort out what is an obsession and what is a real concern.</p>

<p>Hang in there. It will get better.</p>