My name is Shubhangi Halande, and for a long time, I considered it normal to constantly check locks, wash my hands, and ensure everything was in perfect order. These are common OCD symptoms that many people experience. One day, I found myself stuck in a loop, unable to leave my home due to my constant need to check the stove twenty-seven times.
My name is Shubhangi Halande, and for a long time, I considered it normal to constantly check locks, wash my hands, and ensure everything was in perfect order. One day, I found myself stuck in a loop, unable to leave my home due to my constant need to check the stove twenty-seven times.
That’s when I learned that OCD isn’t simply “being neat.” It’s a mental prison of intrusive thoughts and tedious routines. Whether you’ve ever questioned whether your habits are normal or something else, this blog is for you.
Let’s speak about what OCD symptoms truly look like, how they took over my life, and, most importantly, how I fought back.
Please Enjoy Reading what-is-ocd
What is OCD? Not Just “Quirks”
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness in which a person gets stuck in obsessions (thoughts that are scary and undesirable) and compulsions (behaviors that they do again and again to feel better).
But here’s the thing: not everyone with OCD has the same symptoms. They might appear different for each person. It began off little for me:
- “Did I lock the door?” Look again. And again.
- “My hands are dirty.” (Wash them till they are raw.)
- “If I don’t count to ten, something bad will happen.”
I was unaware of this. These weren’t simply things they did. OCD symptoms were progressively taking over my life.
My Breaking Point: When OCD Took Over My Life
Because the unequal spacing made me so anxious that I felt nauseous, I spent three hours reorganizing my bookshelves one night. My back hurt and my eyes burned, but I couldn’t stop. That’s when I fell down and cried, recognizing that such a situation isn’t normal.
I felt fatigued and exhausted. Feeling awful. But mostly, I was scared of my thinking.
Please Enjoy Reading funny – anxiety
Common Signs of OCD: Obsessions vs. Compulsions
Obsessions: Nightmares You Can’t Get Away From
These are the ideas that keep coming back:
- Fear of being ill (“If I touch this, I’ll get sick and die.”)
- Fear of hurting someone (“What if I hurt someone without meaning to?”)
- Perfectionism (such, “If this isn’t symmetrical, everything will go wrong.”)
You shouldn’t harbor thoughts such as violent, sexual, or religious obsessions that don’t align with your beliefs.
Compulsions: The Wrong “Answers”
These are the things we do to calm down our obsessions:
- Too much washing (hands, body, and things that need to be cleaned)
- Checking (locks, appliances, emails, and more) again and over
- Counting things like steps, words, and breaths, but always in “safe” numbers
- Rituals for the mind (such silent prayers or repeating things in your thoughts)
What cruel trick does OCD play? The reprieve from compulsions doesn’t last long. The anxiousness constantly comes back, and it becomes worse.
Please Enjoy Reading severe-anxiety-symptoms
How OCD Symptoms Ruined Every Day of My Life
I missed work deadlines because I had to read emails over and over again.
I stayed away from friends because I was afraid they would notice my “crazy” routines.
I was wary of dedicating hours each day to my compulsions.
What was the most distressing part? I was all by myself. People quipped, “I’m so OCD about my desk!” But they didn’t know what actual OCD symptoms were like.
Please Enjoy Reading mindfulness-activities
The Turning Point: How I Fought Back
1. Accepting the Truth
I had to face the fact that this wasn’t simply stress. I have OCD symptoms and needed assistance.
2. Therapy: Changing the way my brain works
I began ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), which is a kind of CBT. My therapist told me to
- I was instructed to touch a doorknob and then refrain from washing my hands.
- Allow a book to remain askew and manage the resulting concern.
- It seemed impossible, yet it progressively worked.
3. Medication:
A Helping Hand SSRIs (like Prozac) didn’t “cure” me, but they made things quiet enough for therapy to work.
4. Being Kind to Yourself: The Key to Success
I used to despise myself because of my OCD. I now speak to myself as I’m talking to a worried friend: “This is hard, but you’re fighting.” “That’s enough.”
Please Enjoy Reading meditation
“Do I have OCD symptoms?”
Things to Look Out For For OCD, symptoms frequently go unnoticed. Ask yourself:
- Do ideas make you feel awful, yet you can’t stop them?
- Do rituals take up a lot of your time?
- Do you keep your behaviors a secret because you’re ashamed?
If so? You are not “crazy.” You may have OCD, but there is therapy.
There is a way out of treatment: ERP therapy ERP therapy is considered the most effective treatment for OCD. It helps your brain learn to fight off urges.
Medication: SSRIs may make OCD symptoms less severe.
Support Groups: Knowing that other people are going through the same thing will help you feel less ashamed.
A Message of Hope: OCD Symptoms
My OCD symptoms don’t control me today. Some days are still challenging, but I’ve learned that OCD is a bully and you can outwit it.
Asking for assistance isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength.
Recovery isn’t about being flawless. It’s all about freedom.
If you can relate to my tale, get in touch. You deserve to be at ease.
Shubhangi Halande loves you.
Need help? : OCD Symptoms
The International OCD Foundation @ iocdf.org (Find therapists that do ERP.)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(This blog is based on my real-life fight with OCD symptoms.) If you can relate, please get professional help. You can become better.
