OCD

People just don’t get OCD. OCD is a well-recognized mental illness which affects roughly 1-2% of the population. Yet, it remains badly misunderstood.

When I was diagnosed with OCD several years ago, like most people, I assumed it was an anxiety disorder. It wasn’t until months later that I stumbled on articles debating the merits of defining OCD as an entirely separate category of mental illness.

In all seriousness, there’s a side to this disorder that isn’t discussed enough because it’s uncomfortable. It’s uncomfortable for those of us who struggle because we’re afraid of being judged, and it’s upsetting and disturbing to hear that a friend or family member is experiencing them.

I didn't fall in love with John Green’s writing the way you fall asleep: slowly and then all at once. I fell in love with it the way you pass out during a particularly nasty panic attack: all at once and then all at once.

I have OCD and I focus incessantly on time as a proxy for order an

During a psychology lecture in 2012, I casually mumbled to a friend that the optical illusions on the teacher's slides were “messing with my OCD,”

The fear of my parents getting killed driving me there or back loomed around every decision. I always went with my parents on every errand possible, pretending I liked the grocery store.

The fear of my parents getting killed driving me there or back loomed around every decision. I always went with my parents on every errand possible, pretending I liked the grocery store.