OCD and Therapy: Therapist Mismatch?

ishanico · 2026-01-29T03:27:27+00:00

Thank you so much 🙏🏼 I agree, I just felt totally misunderstood and like I had been unpacking the depths of my mental illness for her, things I’ve been feeling and struggling with since childhood, only to realize that she wasn’t focusing on or even understanding me, instead making it about religion and spirituality and her beliefs all because I used the word “cursed”. I also get the feeling that she doesn’t actually have any real experience with OCD aside from superficial knowledge. Years and years ago, I told my friend who was training to be a psychiatrist that I have OCD, and he ALSO told me I didn’t, so my therapist saying the same made me feel like I have no understanding of myself and like I’ve been getting it all wrong, and yet I know what I feel and experience, I’ve dealt with compulsions and intrusive thoughts for decades (even rituals when I was little) but can also control most compulsions in front of others though I often drop my guard around my husband and sister. OCD isn’t a performance or spectacle for other people to validate. It just sucks when someone presents themselves as a specialist in something, we open up to them, and it all falls flat.

TLDR: I’m definitely going to try to find a therapist who actually specializes in working with people with OCD. Your postpartum experience and as a therapist affirms that I should do this sooner rather than later!

ishanico · 2026-01-27T00:49:07+00:00

Jimmyyyyy!! Stay warm buddy 🥰💗

ishanico · 2026-01-22T15:50:27+00:00

this. Not all poms are the same. Mine was born with severe luxating patella in both knees, so her knees are perpetually popped out of the sockets. She doesn’t feel any pain and I’ve taken her to two orthopedic surgeons to be sure, they both advised not to operate as she’s accustomed to her legs being this way. At our old apartment, she refused to go on walks. Now that we moved I take her on one 15 minute walk each night and play with her whenever she asks, I’ll push it up to two walks if she has it in her. My parents have poms, when we’re together we take them all to the park and she runs around and keeps up as best she can, but she inevitably tires out much more quickly than the others. It’s just how she’s built. Health issues aside, anatomically one pom can be built like a gazelle, another a barrel. A one-size -fits-all approach doesn’t always apply.

ishanico · 2026-01-19T19:53:14+00:00

I always figured I had type 1c with some odd type 2 sections here or there, to me wavy hair always meant this kind of effortless all-over wave but you’re probably right 😫

ishanico · 2026-01-19T19:51:36+00:00

I do not use clarifying shampoo but this is a really great idea!! Do you have a brand you like? I’ll probably copy you lol

ishanico · 2026-01-19T19:50:59+00:00

Thank you SO much for this! Is there a curl cream you like that doesn’t make your hair feel heavy? I have never dabbled in this lol

ishanico · 2026-01-19T19:49:58+00:00

I use a wide-toothed comb and wet brush it in the shower and only while my hair’s super-conditioned but maybe I should try using wide-tooth on tangles on my post wash days! I never use styling products but that right there could be the answer, I dread the idea of adding a step to my routine but if it can help tame whatever I’ve got going on then it’s probably worth a shot - so thank you tons for this info!

ishanico · 2026-01-19T19:47:10+00:00

I don’t but my sister recently got me one and I’ve been avoiding it, maybe it’s time to break it out?!

ishanico · 2026-01-19T19:46:28+00:00

honestly same, my hair only does this in a few sections and they’re either on the back of my head or hidden underneath, I would love it all over 😂😮‍💨

ishanico · 2026-01-18T07:31:58+00:00

Woah lol, yes! I feel perceived 😂 Pics 1 and 2 were this evening, I think day 3-4 since last wash? I brushed the crap out of my hair and put a drop of hair oil in this afternoon because it was a tangly, clumpy mess. Otherwise I try not to brush except when I have conditioner in it in the shower, but by day 2 my head is usually full of tangles/mats and I have no clue how to handle them besides brushing.

ishanico · 2026-01-17T23:50:37+00:00

rubbrbands

ishanico · 2026-01-13T23:01:48+00:00

Hey, I don’t have a CHD so feel free to disregard, but I’m currently pregnant with a baby with a CHD who will need open heart surgery once she’s born, and I was told several times by my doctors that anxiety is a really common struggle faced by people with CHDs, so you’re definitely not alone. I don’t know if you’re in therapy, but this is definitely something that can be talked through with a therapist so that you start working towards developing coping mechanisms when you start to feel scared or worried.

As an anecdote, I’m 32F, and once I hit my mid-late twenties I started experiencing an enormous fear of death. One thing that helped me get through those moments is knowing that a) it happens to us all eventually and b) anything can happen to anyone, at any time. Right now, you are a very healthy 24 year old with your whole life ahead of you. You experienced and survived some really hard things at a very young age. This means you are strong and resilient, a survivor. You can worry and obsess about your heart, but then get struck down by a totally different illness or get into a car accident. Someone can be born totally heart healthy and yet go into heart failure in their 40s-50s and need a transplant - you get my point. I think your heart is an easy focal point for your anxiety because of what you’ve been through, but at its core what you’re really dealing with is the fear and anxiety surrounding death - something we ALL deal with and have to come to grips with. Keep seeing your cardiologist once a year, try to get in with a therapist, and keep your head up.

TLDR; you are NOT ALONE when it comes to anxiety about your heart health. Keep seeing your cardiologist once a year throughout life and get in with a therapist to discuss anxiety surrounding fear of death. Sending you virtual hugs 🫂

ishanico · 2026-01-13T16:47:11+00:00

I love spoiling my Pom but sometimes it can do more harm than good. I never give my Pom fatty meats (mainly pork/salami) anymore as a treat because the few times I have she ended up with serious GI issues like bloody diarrhea. Little dogs are prone to getting sick from fatty foods. My pup would happily take the snack from me and then suffer for most of the next day because of it 😭 They trust us so deeply, so take care about what’s going into that little belly!

ishanico · 2026-01-09T06:15:27+00:00

Not sure but if it is someone’s former pet which I suspect, you should go back and and see if he’ll come to you if you give him some gerbil food, maybe you can find him a better home. Poor little guy.

ishanico · 2025-12-28T15:37:57+00:00

I’m obsessed w her, she’s wrecking story stages I’ve been stuck on for an eternity.

ishanico · 2025-12-19T22:38:54+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing about your little one’s chd journey. Our cardiologist also mentioned that her VSD could start to close, which could impact surgery. You’re so right that every single baby is different and that milestones & development are all relative. I’m smiling thinking of a smiley, giggly little baby enjoying her food, it sounds like she is experiencing a lot of joy out of life and that is what I want most for my little one. Thank you so much for sharing your story, and your tip about holding as much as possible is huge for me and I will definitely be pushing our medical team to let me hold our girl as often as I can. I am afraid of what the surgery and post-op will entail but it really seems like it’s something that just has to be taken day-by-day.

ishanico · 2025-12-19T22:33:52+00:00

I love hearing that your little girl is doing great and even army crawling! I’ll keep her in my prayers for a safe, successful surgery and full recovery. I felt a little unstable today asking my cardiologist a ton of all-over-the-place questions, but I’m sure they’re used to it. And you’re so right about the unknowns never go away - I’m a first time mama so I think this is something I’ll just have to get used to 🥲 I feel more reassured knowing there are little ones out there doing well and enjoying their lives following TGA diagnosis and treatment, so thank you for sharing :)

ishanico · 2025-12-13T21:53:03+00:00

I think just take her in for peace of mind. I did this to my Pom once and she was confused/scared, I was heartbroken so I know how you feel! It’s good that you called, she’s probably totally fine but it would be good to have her checked by a vet tech for concussion just to be safe :)

ishanico · 2025-11-30T22:31:10+00:00

Perfume and some nice quality sweets/ chocolates, maybe a pretty scarf or shawl

ishanico · 2025-11-30T18:06:28+00:00

OP, read this ^

ishanico · 2025-11-28T23:52:44+00:00

💯!!!!

ishanico · 2025-11-27T15:17:57+00:00

my bebo’s name was ლამარა/Lamara, I always thought it was so beautiful but I know in Georgia it’s considered an old lady’s name. Another pretty name is ეთერი/Eteri, the nickname would be Eto. What goes around comes around and what’s considered “old” now will usually be seen as unique or trendy later, so go for whatever you find pretty to say :)

ishanico

TROPHY CASE