Howdy,

I'm 22 years old, male, just graduated college and moved back in with the parents a few weeks ago. I've been putting off looking for a job because I'm in the process of seeking treatment for some physical health problems. What I keep telling myself is that I'll get on the job hunt once my urologist decides what bladder medication to put me on, mainly because if I were in HR, I'd be a little sceptical about hiring someone who smells like piss, and can't stay at his post for more than an hour without running to the bathroom.

However, that's not the least of my issues. I've got worsening problems with my legs and back, which are really disconcerting when combined with my urinary issues, but I'm not able to see a neurologist until April at the soonest. Furthermore, the jobs I'm applying for are all quite physical (wildlife biology) but as it stands now, I can barely stay on my feet for 2-3 hours at a time, let alone a whole workday. I'd have no problem waiting until April to start a serious job hunt, but my father's insistent that I get working so I can start paying him rent soon.

My mother (who takes lorazepam and escitalopram for her own anxiety) keeps telling me I should talk to my primary care doc about getting medicated for anxiety, depression, and as she puts it, my "OCD tendencies". She used to work as a psych nurse, so while she won't come out and say it outright, I believe she thinks all of my problems are psychosomatic.

Here's a little rundown of her observations, followed by my own rebuttals:

-" You only leave the house to work out and get food." Valid, but if you had the physical stamina and bladder control of an 85-year-old, you wouldn't be keen on leaving the house either.

-"You spend too much time researching what could be wrong with you." On the contrary, I think it's crucial to do my research, since most doctors only seem to consider the first few possibilities before slapping a patient with a diagnosis of exclusion.

-"A lot of your health problems could just be from anxiety." She says this because, as a kid, she took me to a paediatrician who, after doing no testing whatsoever, decided that my constipation and nocturnal enuresis were just caused by anxiety and stress. Furthermore, most of my recent health problems arose this past summer, when I had no responsibilities, and the lowest stress levels of my life.

-"You're too worried about the side effects of psychiatric meds." I don't sleep well, so I can get pretty lethargic as it is. Furthermore, my dick hasn't worked right in months. I will not take a drug that makes either of those problems worse.

-"I can tell your 'OCD tendencies' are getting worse." I keep careful track of how much fluids I drink, and have alarms set to go to the bathroom every two hours. These aren't compulsions, they're strategies my previous urologist advised me about.

-"Your outlook on life is so negative lately." Look, some days, I can't feel anything below my knees. Each time it happens, it lasts for longer, and the region of numbness expands. My bladder issues are steadily getting worse too. So, when I say, 'I might be in a wheelchair soon', she thinks I'm being dramatic. I think I'm being cautious, but realistic.

-"Something to take the edge off would make you a lot happier." My body is falling apart, and no one knows what's causing it or how to treat it. Being happy in this situation is unrealistic. Anxiety and sadness are normal human emotions; anxiety disorders and depression are when those emotions are exaggerated or don't have a proper stimulus.

To be perfectly clear, I'll admit I have some anxious tendencies. They've gotten a lot better since I quit smoking pot and drinking caffeine and alcohol. Even at their worst, though, they've never interfered with my life to the degree where I'd consider medication.

TL;DR: I have loads of physical health problems, which are quite disheartening and do make me a bit nervous. Mum wants me to start taking psychiatric meds. I say what I'm feeling is rational. Which one of us is wrong?