World OCD Day is October 10, and so much advocacy has to be done!
Our world has created a society that thinks Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is just aligning all the pencils into a straight line, or everything has to match or else. It isn’t linear, and everyone’s journey with OCD is different. In our culture, “I’m so OCD” has become a common way to describe a quirk or habit people have rather than a mental illness itself. So, I am sharing my story not only for World Mental Health Week, but OCD Week as well.
Mental illness began very early on for me, settling in, and making its home in my mind at the tender age of nine years old. I remember it vividly. The depression, hitting me like a ton of bricks. Sure, I went to school like any regular kid would do. But when I came home, I would do my homework, and then I would proceed to lay in bed and sleep, or even better, hide behind the couch and cry, where nobody could find me.
Sure, it most likely stemmed from me learning of my father’s diagnosis of AIDS, and as time went on, my parent’s got me to a psychiatrist, who put me on all the wrong medications, of which my parents then proceeded to pull me off of.
Then my OCD began to come ’round and play. Those days were always so much fun. That was sarcasm, if you couldn’t tell.
I live with Purely Obsessional OCD, amongst other things, but these intrusive thoughts, thoughts that are fleeting for the typical human mind, play about over, and over and over in my head, like a broken record that won’t stop playing, and I can’t reach the record player to make it stop. Luckily, my psychiatrist and I have been working together for a long time, trying to find what works and what doesn’t for me, and after about 10 years, we found that delicate balance of what medications work and their dosages.
Imagine once I became a mom. These said thoughts got worse and worse, and couple that OCD with post-partum depression, and I was a holy mess. I was scared that I was a bad mom, like I didn’t deserve this beautiful child that I had. The OCD began to skyrocket, and I was a total mess. It took another few years to get a good balance of medication to calm it down.
Am I totally over-the-moon-blissfully-ecstatic happy everyday? No, of course not. But I think that at this point in my life, there is a really good balance of good days, with the exception of the occasional bad day, and I have a wonderful support system in my family and boyfriend. But I need those bad days in order to reflect on how good it is, and how much better it is getting. Those bad days are important because I can look back on them and realize that I’ve continued to push through the bad days.But I definitely believe in my heart that OCD needs more advocacy, the especially break the stigma surrounding it! I do all that I can to help with that, including doing the virtual “1 Million Steps 4 OCD” campaign. If you would like to make a donation to my team, that would be wonderful. Even sharing this post helps spread awareness!
Do you have a story that you want to share? Postpartum depression, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, and more, we welcome everyone’s story. Please click here if you would like to submit yours!
What a great thing to advocate for! OCD can be so crippling for so many and most people don’t even realize it.
What a story! I’m so glad you have been able to find balance in your life.
This is such a powerful message that will impact many. Thank you for sharing your story for world OCD day.
Lol omg this gave me such a great laugh! The fact that there’s a day for my perfection friends is a must share.
My younger son has anxiety sometimes, but hasn’t had near as hard of a time as you did. Mental health needs more advocates and for all the different aspects, not just depression which is what most tend to think of.
you had to go through a lot as a young child – no wonder your mind got all messed up
Thank you for speaking out so candidly and openly. Many women who are also suffering can find comfort they’re not alone and find hope in your success. Thank you for your inspiration!
Thank you for sharing your story and advocating for others. My college she kid has recently been diagnosed with mild OCD so I’m just learning about the illness. My heart goes out to you and everyone who suffers from this.
Events in your life are so profound and relatable for many. I think the fact that you were able to go to school and function as a student, then difficulties arose once you were home makes me think about many students now who struggle with things at home that no one knows about. Then after having your baby, how the balance you may have found was interrupted. Becoming a mom is challenge for every mother who has gone through it but those who need additional support to maintain a mental balance have an even more difficult path.
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Thank you for sharing your story. I have struggled with my mental health for a LONG time. And I love seeing others being so open.
Thank you for being so open and sharing this. I struggle with my mental health and it helps to see that im not alone in my struggles.
What a powerful way to support mental health advocacy! I have a daughter that has struggled with OCD since she was a young child as well.
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Thank you so much for sharing your story. I didn’t know a lot about OCD before reading this. Thank you for spreading awareness.
thank you for sharing this. mental health is very important and I am glad to read such stories over the internet normalizing things in my head
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful and inspiring story. I am glad that you were able to overcome it.
You are brave for sharing such a tough and touchy topic that you have experienced first hand. We do not to advocate more for others and better education for understanding.
Thank you for sharing your story. I remember in high school people would joke about being OCD without realizing how it is a real thing and it is hurtful. I don’t joke about mental illness as an adult as I have anxiety and PCOS so I know the struggles that come with having an invisible illness.
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Thanks for sharing your story. I am happy you were able to overcome it.
Your story is incredibly amazing. You’ve demonstrated so much strength by sharing your story. So many of us silently suffer because we fear being judge or critized. Hopefully your story will resonate with many and give them guidance.
oh wow!!!! Thank you so so much for sharing this intimate story! I am so glad you’re managing your OCD, this is amazing!!! Well done!
I am so happy you are sharing your story about this. It is so important.
I am so happy you are sharing your story, this is so important.
Your honesty is refreshing. My daughter has the same issues. As a parent, I just want her to have happiness and peace. You are an inspiration! 🍕🏨👜
I have struggled with social anxiety most of my life, but it has gotten worse as an adult. I also struggle with sleep anxiety, which causes me to struggle with insomnia as well. I have had to work incredibly hard to figure out my triggers and how to deal with them. My insomnia isn’t nearly as bad as it was in the spring (I had to take short-term disability from work because I was a zombie) but I do have nights that I’m wide awake. I take medications to help cope, as well as practice yoga and meditation, and watching my caffeine intake and what I eat before bed. It’s work to feel “normal”.
Powerful story, very insightful. The posts like yours help us to understand better other people and keep the judgments out of the communication realm.
Love advocating for issues that mean a lot for you.
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Thank you for being so open with your story. It is really eye-opening to learn about the world in the eyes of someone who has OCD.
It is good to see that you can find a balance somehow and control a problem that started too early and hautented you for so long. Mental health it is still such an underexplored world!
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so glad that you were able to work through it and have good days. It’s wonderful that you have a support system and you have an understanding of how to deal with the challenging days. I didn’t experience any post-partum depression, but I noticed that my anxiety got a little bit worse and for the first time I had to take medication. It’s a life-long journey and it’s so inspiring to see how we can bring more awareness to mental health.
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