OCD and Anxiety: Seeking Help for Mental Health Struggles - Psychiatry

Please feel free to ask me any questions?

---

Hello, Doctor: I sent an email yesterday and received your reply today.
I am truly grateful.
Let me explain my situation.
Recently, I have been excessively preoccupied with both significant and trivial matters, unable to stop thinking about them.
I find myself repeatedly checking and engaging in the same meaningless actions from the moment I wake up until just before I go to sleep.
Fortunately, it hasn't caused insomnia, but I often think about these things for one to two hours continuously, which makes my mind very tired.
This has affected my ability to concentrate on other tasks, as I keep interrupting myself to dwell on these trivial thoughts.
I tell myself to stop thinking, but I just can't.
It wasn't until I read various doctors' responses online that I realized this might be obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and that it is indeed a condition.
Reflecting on my life, I realize I have always had these tendencies, occasionally engaging in strange behaviors without giving them much thought.
However, it has worsened recently, especially after graduating and spending several months alone at home (I still didn't think much of it, even though it was bothersome).
It became significantly worse when my parents traveled abroad for six days, leaving me alone at home.
In the past couple of days, I have been trying to control myself with sheer willpower.
Now that my parents have returned, my condition has improved somewhat, but I still find myself overthinking.
I continue to struggle internally, and I have other symptoms that are difficult to fully express online.
My additional symptoms include frequent irritability, difficulty concentrating, and a decline in my ability to think and comprehend.
For instance, I find it hard to understand what I read, often needing to think for a long time, and I frequently zone out, which makes it frustrating to read.
Sometimes, I read a passage in a newspaper but don't grasp its meaning, feeling as if it hasn't registered in my mind.
A few months ago, I experienced significant stress while preparing for graduate school entrance exams.
Due to the aforementioned issues, I ended up giving up and taking the exams casually, which, of course, resulted in not passing (though I consider myself a diligent person).
I feel lost about my future, and the psychological pressure remains high.
Ultimately, I developed autonomic nervous system dysregulation, leading to gastrointestinal discomfort and a weight loss of three kilograms (symptoms include nausea, bloating, loss of appetite, and diarrhea).
I also experience inexplicable anxiety and tension.
I visited Chimei Hospital, where I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome.
I subsequently took medication at a nearby traditional Chinese medicine clinic for over a month, and while my condition has improved, I still feel incomplete recovery.
I would like to ask if it is possible to overcome this through willpower alone without seeing a doctor.
Of course, I have not yet consulted a psychiatrist, and I wonder if I should seek medical help.
If necessary, I would be willing to visit your esteemed hospital for treatment.
Additionally, I have experienced anxiety while eating since childhood, which causes dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, and even nausea, leading to a lack of appetite, even when I am very hungry.
This typically occurs when dining with others (especially those I am not very familiar with, making it harder to relax), but sometimes it happens when I am with family or alone.
I believe my fear of not being able to finish my meal contributes to this anxiety, creating a vicious cycle.
Of course, when I am in a more relaxed mood, it doesn't happen as much.
I try to adjust my mindset to avoid excessive tension, but I wonder if this is also a condition.
I apologize for writing so much, and I appreciate your assistance!

---

lingh, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2002/11/03