Time for a Fresh Start - Updated Page 3, Jan 2013

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From a medical point of view, i want to make it clear that there is no definition of normal. people vary vastly and quite a few people have traits of anxiety and ocds etc. it's when it starts to take over your life that it becomes a problem, which it clearly is and so you need to try get to the bottom of the physiological issues.. you need to address your ocd/anxiety problems firstly.

Now, cbt is what will be recommended to you. However, thanks to budget cuts and depending on your trust.. The waiting times for sessions will vary, upto several months. So I strongly recommend you visit your Gp and get things rolling. Cbt can be absolutely amazing and help greatly or it will not work at all. But until you commit and give it a dam good try, you won't know. It's not just about talking to someone. It's also about changing learned behaviours and negative thought processes. A lot of the onus is obviously on you, you have to put the techniques into use. If you won't go to the gp or cbt then I need to ask why?

Again, the anxiety appears to be stemming from a multitude of issues. Confidence, the ibs, money worries and generally due to the complex disorders you're having to live with. You also strike me as a very anxious individual. Medication can help but I wouldn't recommend it. The cbt is well worth a try however, and if all else fails then medication is an option.

The ibs is strongly linked to anxiety, as well as certain foods etc. try eating lots of fibre (brown bread etc). You need to try control it, try bulk up your faeces to allow it to be more controllable. I don't think it is wise to try get a job just yet. The complex nature of your problems would only complicate your routine and from the sound of it, would only end in you quitting. Which would reinforce negative thoughts again. Not what you want.

If you have any thoughts of wanting to harm yourself, there are anonymous helplines available to your 24/7 .. Someone to talk to. I acknowledge it was only a thought but nevertheless be aware there are people if you ever go back to that place. You also seem to be showing signs of mild depression. I don't like to categorise, but you certainly tick some criteria. As mention, the gp should honestly be your first port of call. They have the means to advise you best and help you. If you really wish to begin to help yourself, talk to your gp. I think talking on the forum was a great idea. But it's limited. Your not going to get much medical help from here. Advice about your other issues, yeah. But that is only really masking your issues.

Have you anybody you can talk to? To help you get used to talking about your problems? You may not want to, but it may make you feel better to share your worries. I also think you should try talk to your family at home. Explain some of your thoughts about the loo situation etc. just how are they supposed to know if you don't explicitly say? Some people are very oblivious.. So even though it looks obvious to you, and you think they should 'know' .. They may not. And probably don't even realise how much of an inconvenience they are being to you.

Also, if it has really gotten this bad, then you need to probably break out of your comfort zone... I.e talking about it to gp, family etc in order to improve your life. As it is easy to make counter arguments and excuses in order to not have to break comfort levels.. But it won't really get you out of this almost endless cycle. Hope this has been of some use to you.

In summary, I'm from a medical background and am strongly recommending you visit your gp. There is hope. It will not be easy and there is no magic cure, but there is hope and more chance than not of improving. And that is what you need to realise.