At the age of 27, I first realized that something was amiss. My journey navigating OCD treatment began when it became clear it wasn’t just “stress” or “quirkiness” but a more profound issue that exerted control over me.
At the age of 27, I first realized that something was amiss. It wasn’t just “stress” or “quirkiness,” but a deeper issue that exerted control over me.
It began with little things, like washing clean dishes again, going back over my steps to look for objects I had dropped that weren’t there, and reading letters over and over before sending them. I didn’t think much of it at first. I told myself, “I’m just thorough.”
But then I started having panic episodes, which were abrupt, overwhelming waves of anxiety that left me gasping for breath. My pulse would rush, my hands would tremble, and my mind would speed with scary ideas such as, “What if I made a mistake?” What if I injured someone without knowing it?
At that point, I understood this wasn’t simply anxiousness. This was the designated area for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
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2. What OCD Really Feels Like: OCD Treatment
OCD is not about being “neat” or “organized.” It’s a never-ending fight in your mind where
Obsessive ideas take over your thinking.
Rituals (compulsions) are the only thing that can stop them, even if only for a short time.
It seemed to me like
Mental reviewing: going over discussions over and over again to look for “mistakes”
Checking rituals: going back home many times to make sure the locks and appliances are working
Counting compulsions: needing to tap or count in certain ways
What was the meanest part? The more I gave in to my compulsions, the more I needed OCD therapy.
3. The Turning Point: Why I Wanted Help for My OCD
I reached my lowest point when I failed to attend a close friend’s wedding due to my incessant scrutiny of my dress. That’s when I met a therapist who worked with people with OCD.
“This isn’t your fault,” she said, and that changed everything. You don’t have to live like this.
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4. Ways to Treat OCD That Worked for Me
A. Therapy: Changing the way my brain works
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helped me question my crazy ideas
Taught me that ideas don’t equal reality
2. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention)
Exposure involves gradually confronting your fears, such as touching a doorknob without washing your hands.
Response Prevention: fighting the want to act till the worry went away
If I was afraid of becoming sick, my therapist had me
Touch a “dirty” surface (exposure)
Wait 10 minutes before washing (to stop the reaction)
Slowly add more time to the wait
B. Medication: A Short-Term Help – OCD Treatment
I took an SSRI (sertraline) after thinking about it. It:OCD Treatment
Lessened the strength of obsessions
Made treatment work better
It didn’t “cure” me, but it did give me some space.
C. Changes in Lifestyle – OCD Treatment
Sleep hygiene: Symptoms were worse when you didn’t get enough sleep.
Mindfulness: It helped me watch my thoughts without acting on them.
Support groups: They made me feel like I wasn’t alone.
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5. The Most Difficult Parts of OCD Treatment
It wasn’t a straight route to recovery. The hardest things for me are
The “backfire effect”: Anxiety goes up as you try to fight your urges.
The advice from friends to “stop overthinking” contributes to a social stigma.
Patience: Progress seemed to take forever
But little victories kept me going: My Journey Through
✔ I cut down on handwashing from 20 times a day to five times a day.
✔ I sent an email without revising it.
✔ I went out without having to go back.
6. What Life Is Like After Starting OCD Treatment
I still have OCD, but it no longer controls my life. I: OCD Treatment
- Work full-time without having to check all the time
- Travel without having to do painful rituals
- Enjoy the present without thinking about it.
Most significantly, I’ve learned that recovery isn’t about being flawless; it’s about making progress. Setbacks don’t stop progress. It is possible to heal
7. If You’re Considering Getting Help for OCD…
Start small—looking out for therapists is a step forward.
Find specialists—search for people who have trained in OCD.
Be patient; it takes time for neural circuits to change.
Keep track of little victories—every time you reject one, it counts.
Get a therapist, psychiatrist, and support group to help you.
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8. Hope is Real – OCD Treatment
If you’re having a hard time reading this,
I see you. I have been you. I guarantee things will get better.
The Shubhangi, ensnared in hours-long rituals, could never have envisioned composing this. Shubhangi, who missed out on life experiences, couldn’t see how her situation might improve.
But here I am. If I can accomplish it, you can too.
9. Resources That Helped Me: Organizations:
The International OCD Foundation (iocdf.org)
NAMI (nami.org)
Books:
Bruce Hyman’s “The OCD Workbook”
“Freedom from OCD” is a book by Jonathan Grayson.
Apps:
NOCD (tools for treatment)
Headspace (being present)
One bold step starts your adventure. That day might be now.
