How can 5 words be so hard to say?
Julie Derrick
Childhood OCD : I help parents and schools figure out ways to support a child with OCD and anxiety??The Mind Monsters Books ???? The Parenting OCD in Teens and Tweens Handbook
"I have OCD."
They are five words, 8 letters in total.
But saying them can change your life and, more importantly, how the outside world sees you.
Take me for example.
I have OCD behaviours around checking things.
Things like:
>> Are doors locked?
>> Are straighteners switched off?
>> Is the handbrake of my car secure?
This hasn't been too much of an issue up until now because I have been largely home for 20 years.
Fast-forward to now, and working part-time for an employer it's becoming more of an issue.
And harder to conceal.
Because part of my role consists of:
>> Locking doors.
>> Checking that windows are closed.
>> And checking that all elecrical appliances are switched off.
As you can imagine, this is my worst nightmare.
Not just the checking bit.
But trying to keep it concealed from workmates.
It's bad enough that they are picking up on my anxiety.
But having them catch me checking over and over would be the last straw.
They would think I was crazy!
Because here's the thing.
OCD- or obsessive-compulsive disorder, to give it its full name is still a very misunderstood condition.
I've lost count of how many times I've heard workmates mention how OCD they are around having work files in strict alphabetical order.
Or hating having dirty cups lying around.
When this happens, I feel like screaming...
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"THIS IS NOT OCD!"
But I stay quiet.
Because they wouldn't understand.
What is REAL OCD?
Real OCD is when you CAN'T stop doing these things.
You can't walk away from disorganised files.
You can't stop washing cups (in case they are not clean).
Or, in my case, you can't stop thinking about whether you have locked work doors well into the early hours.
But I am one of the lucky ones.
Because I can eventually switch off these thoughts.
OCD behaviours only take up a very small part of my day (and life).
Because somehow, without realising it, I have managed to turn down the volume of my thoughts before OCD has taken full control.
Others are sadly not so lucky.
For them, almost every minute of every day is consumed by intrusive thoughts.
And endless, exhausting compulsions.
I don't want this for you or your children.
This is what inspired me to write my children's books for younger children.
And, why I have created FREE resources to help parents and teachers identify (and support) children with OCD.
If you would like to download my FREE guides, click on the relevant link below to download (and offer support to a child with OCD) TODAY.
#ocdawareness #ocdrecovery