TLDR: I get serious panic attacks, have phobias of medical procedures, and bite my nails (a ton) when I'm anxious. Should I talk to my doctor about OCD or just general anxiety? How should I start the conversation, and make it clear I'm not just trying to fake it for a Xanax prescription?
Context:
I've been phobic of most medical procedures since I was about 15. I'm 28 now. At 15, I passed out in the middle of a biopsy, and I've noticed from that point on - I get extremely anxious when people talk about medical side effects or injury. I've avoided those conversations for the most part, but I do have panic attacks and lose balance/vision for a few minutes in extreme cases. My mind seems to loop horrible side effects or feelings repeatedly until I fall into panic.
I've been trying to stay healthy with eating, exercise, and less caffeine, but lately the panics have been more frequent and worse. I was reading about anxiety medication, and have avoided asking about Xanax (or similar) because they mention OCD in addition to general anxiety. A bit of light reading years ago made me think it was highly unlikely I had OCD due to the severity of most symptoms.
However, I bite my nails excessively when I'm anxious - I mean a lot, and everyday. They are very disgusting. I want to stop, but I've always done it since I was a child. I know this is considered a 'compulsion' based on some articles I've read, but I don't really know if it constitutes OCD. A lot of articles mention you can't be a little OCD, and I've figured I would just be crying wolf.
scotchandstuff1 karma
Hello Jeff; thank you very much for doing this!
TLDR: I get serious panic attacks, have phobias of medical procedures, and bite my nails (a ton) when I'm anxious. Should I talk to my doctor about OCD or just general anxiety? How should I start the conversation, and make it clear I'm not just trying to fake it for a Xanax prescription?
Context:
I've been phobic of most medical procedures since I was about 15. I'm 28 now. At 15, I passed out in the middle of a biopsy, and I've noticed from that point on - I get extremely anxious when people talk about medical side effects or injury. I've avoided those conversations for the most part, but I do have panic attacks and lose balance/vision for a few minutes in extreme cases. My mind seems to loop horrible side effects or feelings repeatedly until I fall into panic.
I've been trying to stay healthy with eating, exercise, and less caffeine, but lately the panics have been more frequent and worse. I was reading about anxiety medication, and have avoided asking about Xanax (or similar) because they mention OCD in addition to general anxiety. A bit of light reading years ago made me think it was highly unlikely I had OCD due to the severity of most symptoms.
However, I bite my nails excessively when I'm anxious - I mean a lot, and everyday. They are very disgusting. I want to stop, but I've always done it since I was a child. I know this is considered a 'compulsion' based on some articles I've read, but I don't really know if it constitutes OCD. A lot of articles mention you can't be a little OCD, and I've figured I would just be crying wolf.
Thanks again for all you do!
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