Roundabout way of getting therapy?

[JulieChristine]

I'm usually hanging out over in the Health Anxiety forum but thought I'd stop here. I've had a mix of OCD/HA for five years now, and I've put off seeking therapy for that entire time. The reason I've put it off is because I'm scared of being in public (which I guess may be a form of social anxiety). About six months ago I finally actually drove up to the building where I would fill out paper work, got out of my car, walked up to the door, opened it, saw some people, and turned around. I haven't tried since! The point here is I know I need therapy, but it's so hard to get there! Now I'm thinking okay, I could call them and get the papers faxed, then fax them back, but then I'm going to have an appointment, and then I'm going to have to sit in the waiting room. I'm posting here because I feel like some of you can understand. Does anybody have any advice on how to get out and get help when you're mortified by it? Should I really try to find a roundabout way or should I just man up and go? Any replies are appreciated! Thank you!

[Bamboo31]

You know you want help; that's a good first step.  Okay, you got in your car, drove to the building, walked up to the door, and opened it.  That's more than some people are able or willing to do.  Good second step.  Maybe next time, you could walk in the building and pick up a form and leave.  Then the next time, you could go in and drop off the form and leave.  Take baby steps and gain your confidence.  Is there someone who you could take with you to the waiting room-best friend, family member?  It always helps to have someone there to support you.

You can do it! Good luck!!

[Yali]

You could set up a reward system. For example, if you make it to the door then you get to spend time watching your favorite movie or reading your favorite book or whatever you want to reward yourself with. Making it to the desk gets you a bigger award, making the appointment gets a bigger reward, and actually showing up for the appointment gives you the reward of finally getting the therapy you need to avoid this situation in the first place. If you have any family or friends you could get them to drive you and drag you in, but I don't know how well that would work for you. Maybe, if you called and explained your situation, the therapist would have some suggestions about how to work around your anxiety. That's what they're there for, isn't it? Or, if you have some sort of medicine that calms you down for a few hours, you could take that before you leave the house.

Anyways, congratulations for taking your first steps to improvement. You're doing great.