It’s time for me to open up and share my own experiences with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). I was struggling alone with this monkey on my back for years.
I hope that my experiences can help someone else cope with OCD and show others that even when we struggle, we can still live a good life.
I’d like you to join me as I share my struggles with OCD, and find solace in community support.
Discover how we can overcome the challenges of OCD and live fulfilling lives.
I hope that by sharing my stories, I can offer support, understanding, and a sense of belonging to those who may be going through similar struggles.
Let’s conquer OCD together and create a life filled with joy. Create freedom of our minds. This is the goal.
Embracing the Reality of Living with OCD
I’ve had this monkey on my back for over 20 years. I didn’t realize it was a sickness with a name until I was older. I didn’t know what to do with the urges, or how to cope with the feelings that intrusive thoughts caused. I struggled with it. But somehow, I managed to live with it.
Sometimes I didn’t even realize it was happening until I felt my energy draining. It was still happening but I was going on autopilot.
The Power of Connection
Once I started my research and sought out communities (mostly interaction in the YouTube comments section), I realized that there are thousands, if not millions, of people struggling with OCD.
After so many years, I said enough. It’s time to fight it and destroy it, with the result of getting rid of it for good. And if that’s not possible, at least, tame it.
The Healing Power of Sharing
I never shared my OCD struggles with anyone.
A couple of months ago, when I started watching YouTube channels about OCD, I learned that sharing could help!
The fact that I can hear people cope with very similar problems and that I’m not alone was relieving. I realized that when I shared (in the comments), it helped too.
I realized how opening up can make a world of difference. It really helps!
Breaking the Silence
I shared my struggles with my girlfriend. Then I shared the fact that I have OCD with my best friend. I also shared with my online video course mentor (that was a course I chose for my job, not really taking it seriously because its aim is in a different direction than what I need, so it’s just 1-hour talks with my mentor).
It helped to share. But even though I shared that I struggle with a thing called OCD, I didn’t share the details. Because there are so many of them it would be overwhelming to the listener, that’s what I’m sure of. I am trying to find the right balance in disclosing my struggles.
But in light of the discovery of how sharing could help, I realized I’d like to continue.
What I learned is that we can get unexpected support from unlikely places, if we let it.
Maybe there’s someone interested in reading the blog posts and realizing that they’re not alone.
The potential impact of sharing our stories is big and I’d like to give it a shot.
There are many people with the same or very similar problems I’m suffering from. And by encouraging one another and sharing, we can help each other.
It’s a long, hard road out of hell. But I still believe that we can conquer it.
As I write these lines, I want you to know that I understand the grip OCD has on our lives. But I believe, that together, we can face it.
It’s not about living with it. It doesn’t work for me that way. I hate it. And I believe that most of us hate it. It can get so intense that it’s crippling our experience of life.
Even now, when I’m writing these words, it strangles me. It forces me to do things a “normal” person wouldn’t do. Writing this down takes me longer than a person writing without OCD.
I need to do so many backspacing, rewriting the same words and sentences, rethinking my words and substituting them in my head for different words, touching my keyboard in a specific way… and I could continue for another 5 minutes about what I “have to do” before finishing this post.
I also know that fighting OCD probably has no end. But It can get to a manageable level. I know it thanks to some beautiful people who were able to share.
I am at the beginning of the path to finally start my journey of coping with OCD and keeping it at bay. I know it will require constant training. Like the body, the mind needs constant training, too, so it doesn’t lose its muscles.
So here’s to sharing, creating a community where we can share our victories & losses, support one another, and find the strength to overcome OCD.
Please consider supporting me at “Buy Me a Coffee” or directly through the Stripe Transaction Portal if you can. You do not have to register with any of the services. Every penny counts. I write this blog in my spare time, but with your help, I’d love to have serious conversations with experts who deal with OCD and respond to you with the knowledge and stories I’d gather.
I consider this blog a calling. I never realized that before. But now I know what my calling is, and I want to continue to improve and help us better manage our OCD. I know how limiting OCD is. I’ve lived with it for more than 24 years. It’s time to learn as much as we can about this disorder to not only cope with it, but to actually get better.
If you help me by donating or becoming a member, my path with this blog can change so I can focus more on what really matters. Plus, you’ll be part of a supportive community of people who understand what you’re going through and want to help you.
Thanks for thinking about donating. It means a lot to me!