Okay, a sickeningly saccharine post coming up, so you have been warned. OCD messed up my life – it took away my confidence, my hope and my joie de vivre. It robbed me of any joy and screwed around with my family, but…
Yes, yes, I know what you’re thinking. How can something so horrible bring anything good? But it has. I have decided that Medicine is not for me and that I want to become a Psychologist – a pretty major life decision and one that I would never have considered if I hadn’t had OCD. I am more relaxed, more easy-going than I ever was before – whilst working on the OCD a lot of the background anxiety and social nervousness has faded. I have started to write again, taken up running, discovered the world of mental health and become involved in a charity.
And best of all? I have learnt who my friends are (yes, I know that’s an old cliché, but it’s true – the strangest of people stick around when the going gets tough) and made some new ones. I’ve seen births, pregnancies, engagements and promotions in the OCD community in the last few months – the most inspiring amount of joy when you feel that OCD is unbeatable. I have a new circle of people to whom I can always turn – who are thrilled to hear about the good days and ready to cheer you up on the bad days.
And best of all? Yes, I’m going to say it… I’ve learnt a little bit more about who I am. And that can’t be bad.
Obsessively compulsively yours
Bellsie
Hi Bellsie,
ReplyDeleteI read your blog every so often, and have found you to be both interesting and helpful. I was a Nursing Student before my OCD and anxiety made it impossible to carry on, and I like the medical perspective you bring to your posts.
Also, you are the only person, whose blog I read, that has mentioned the types of intrusive sexual thoughts. When I read that in your post I cried, because I honestly believed that no one else got them in the way I do. You don't know me, but you have actually helped me just through describing your own experiences!
So thank you. I was wondering if you know of any OCD chatrooms? I have had no luck finding any that are actually used, and wondered if any one else has?
I wish you every luck with your future health and studies.
Emma.