OCD Awareness Week

Good morning, my friends! Monday Morning Coffee will return next week at its regularly scheduled time. Today, though, is all about my thing. My thing is OCD. It took me years to know and understand it, and even longer to break the stigma to feel comfortable sharing it with others. This is the nature of OCD. 

It is serious. And debilitating. Exhausting. Frustrating. And so much more. OCD is also treatable. I am proof of that!

While for years I had random, intrusive thoughts regarding irrational things like running over a tree branch and believing I ran over a person, or thinking I left the stove on, or noticing a freckle on my back that had been there my whole life, but suddenly became dangerous in my mind, I was able to manage my OCD. Do not recommend. Managing my OCD meant driving back to the spot I thought I had hit a person over and over to reassure myself I hadn't. It was checking the stove again and again, and still not being sure it was off. It was checking and rechecking the spot on my back to make sure it wasn't changing color or shape. 

It wasn't until I was in my early forties and beginning menopause that I became unable to manage the weight of OCD myself. Sidenote: That is a symptom of menopause that is not talked about enough. Why is that? Anyway, once I admitted that I needed help, my husband took over and got me a diagnosis from my primary care doctor, who was so compassionate and kind. This led to an appointment with my therapist, the most amazing, patient, caring, and helpful soul ever. I realized I wasn't alone in these weird thoughts. I had people to talk to, and they helped me understand that OCD is a disease. Nothing I did caused it. But I could manage it. That is what I did. And continue to do.

I take prescribed medication for OCD, and although I no longer have regularly scheduled appointments with my therapist, I know she is one phone call away. It wasn't easy getting to the place I am today. There is no magic pill. It takes work to manage a disease like OCD, Anxiety, Depression, or Health Anxiety. Find your people. Let them help. Advocate for yourself, and keep going. Every single day. I am proof that one can manage OCD and Anxiety. I now have the tools, medication, support, and desire to handle it if and when it pays a visit, and I pray that anyone suffering from any kind of mental illness feels empowered to do the same.

Thanks for reading and listening, my friends. Leaving you with some weekend pictures because OCD is a part of my life. It does not define it. Have a cozy day!

Dinner last night was stromboli and baby arugula salad with Parmesan cheese.

We went to the condo yesterday afternoon to see the waves from the storm. 

And this little one is all fresh from her doggy spa!

Billie Jo

All information on this post can be found HERE.