October 7th, 2016 11:37 p.m. The camera’s flash goes off. I’m the kid in the back of the picture standing on my tippy-toes because I’m still self conscious about my height. Tonight is the night I’m going out to my first college party. I’ve avoided it, but I promised myself that I would try to go out with my friends. I don’t get drunk or do drugs, but I don’t look down on people who do. I’m awkwardly dressed in the best clothes my friends could find in my closet. The bus leaves Dutch Quad in fifteen minutes and we have to hurry to make it in time. We’re going to 547 Washington Ave. Unfortunately, this isn’t a party story, but instead a story that involves a party and a mental illness. That night was the night when my OCD relapsed for the first time since I thought I had beaten it. But, don’t worry, this is a story of triumph not defeat.
Most people think of germaphobes when they think of OCD. This was not the case for me. I was haphephobic, fearful of touch. For three years I couldn’t touch people without panicking. Wherever a person …show more content…
The answer is the same one I’ve been giving you after I described each of my compulsions. It’s simple yet irrational. Because, if I didn’t, bad things would happen. People generally aren’t happy with this answer because it’s too simple, it’s too irrational, and they are left with more questions than answers. To be completely honest, I don’t fully comprehend it either. As I acted on each compulsion, I knew it was crazy to think this way, but I couldn’t stop. The best way to describe it is like having a religion. If I substituted OCD and my compulsions with Christianity and it’s traditions (no, this isn’t a jab at religion), it gets a little easier to understand. Why else do you go to Church every Sunday, say grace at your meals, and give up things for lent? Because it’s what God wants and if his will isn’t obeyed, then we won’t get into heaven. See what I
Most people think of germaphobes when they think of OCD. This was not the case for me. I was haphephobic, fearful of touch. For three years I couldn’t touch people without panicking. Wherever a person …show more content…
The answer is the same one I’ve been giving you after I described each of my compulsions. It’s simple yet irrational. Because, if I didn’t, bad things would happen. People generally aren’t happy with this answer because it’s too simple, it’s too irrational, and they are left with more questions than answers. To be completely honest, I don’t fully comprehend it either. As I acted on each compulsion, I knew it was crazy to think this way, but I couldn’t stop. The best way to describe it is like having a religion. If I substituted OCD and my compulsions with Christianity and it’s traditions (no, this isn’t a jab at religion), it gets a little easier to understand. Why else do you go to Church every Sunday, say grace at your meals, and give up things for lent? Because it’s what God wants and if his will isn’t obeyed, then we won’t get into heaven. See what I