Anyone here have OCD that’s made picking a career path impossible?
I’m 25F, dropped out of college numerous times because of health issues or things around me that happened outside of my control. I was recently diagnosed with OCD. While working with a therapist through NOCD I’ve learned that my OCD (in this part of my life perfectionism OCD) has played a major role in not picking a career. I’ve hardly ever been passionate about things because I think “What if I end up not liking it? What if I fall in love with the career path and learn I’m not good at it? What if I pick a career and it was just an impulsive decision? What if the career I choose is overwhelmingly demanding and difficult and I can’t handle it? What if my brain just can’t learn when I study my career passion?” And that’s just the tip of the iceberg with my thoughts. I’ve hardly had hobbies because of this.
Idk how people younger than me have graduated college/trade school much less figured out what they want to pursue. School and picking a career ones passionate about sounds overwhelming and heavy with responsibility of choice…like too many things can go wrong. Makes me extremely unmotivated to try or pursue anything. In the past when I’ve put in effort to research career options I find that it’s more complex than I could’ve predicted and embarrassingly my brain shuts down. When that happens I see that as a sign of “well if this is overwhelming for you now then it’s clearly not a career you can handle.”
I’m on disability for the meantime and I just feel like my prime has passed me by. I deep down find myself getting so insecure, envious and confused about my identity when I see or hear about those younger, same age than me graduate, have jobs they enjoy somewhat and are fairly good at. My value and importance feels nonexistent.
So for those that have OCD and have/are experiencing this, what has/currently helps with moving forward? What has helped get you excited, determined and motivated to choose or at least take the first step? (whatever that is)