OCD: Unwanted and Intrusive

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My friend’s son got a bite from a spider, and the expanding infection was even painful to look at. It was itch-y to think about. It made me want to scratch myself.

Having OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is like having an insect bite you’re not supposed to scratch. It becomes a persistent itch that will not be ignored. Overlook it if you want, but the discomfort will build to an unbearable level, until you’re out of your mind.  Your body screams….Scratch me! However, when you do, there will only be a moment of relief: The venom has spread. The agony of the itch begins again, and then again. OCD has a life of its own, and it is robbing you of your life. The life you live will continually shrink as you avoid people and situations that trigger your OCD.

The prevalence of OCD is on the rise: Billy washes his hands until they are red, Sam takes three showers a day, both are late to work. Patti has intrusive sexual thoughts and feels horribly guilty, Marty is driving his wife nuts with his precise organization. Paula fears being humiliated and withdraws from relationships. We hear your stories. We know OCD is a debilitating condition.

We were meant to live lives of freedom, courage and peacefulness, and at the Aspen Center we fight for our clients to live in the fullness they were created for. I am grateful for our strong alliance with the OCF – Obsessive Compulsive Foundation. I love being part of the restoration in people’s lives.