Shifting views about obsessive-compulsive disorder

Mental illnesses are common in society, and the more we talk about them, the more we normalize conversations and encourage people to get the help they need. We need to motivate people to stop hiding.

This article was submitted by Sean Flores, a live experience advocate, model, and podcast coordinator.

At 27, I was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

For years, I had intrusive thoughts about my sexual orientation. I couldn’t stop questioning my sexuality. I had thoughts that I didn’t want to act upon, but they were prevalent daily. I went down a rabbit hole in search of answers.

Then the thoughts turned to Obsessive-compulsive disorder, which refers to a subset of OCD that includes aggressive and intrusive thoughts about violence against someone – it’s very distressing. I felt like a danger to people and wanted to stay away from everyone. I decided, after the breakup, to find a therapist. I found a dynamic psychotherapist, which made me ask more questions. People with OCD need cognitive behavioral therapy and ERP (cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response prevention), and trained therapists should know this.

The moment I was diagnosed, my life changed. The week before, suicidal thoughts sank into my mind. When I was out with a friend, an image of myself jumping off a bridge came to my mind. I panicked, thinking I was really suicidal and was trying to kill myself. As a result, I rushed home and locked myself away. I told my friends that I no longer wanted to be “around the corner”. Two days later, on that Saturday, I awoke and could not take it any more; I felt as if my mind was racing with constant negative thoughts. Fortunately, I found a wizard due to the Instagram algorithm.

Thanks to my therapist Emma GarrickI promised to tell my story to help spread awareness. I wasn’t aware of the severe trouble OCD sufferers have. I have found that many blacks do not talk about OCD. As a young black man with an invisible disability, I was shocked by the reception, and since I shared my articles, a variety of people have reached out to me.

OCD is more common than we think. According to the Association of Universities and CollegesOCD affects around 1-2% of the UK population and is characterized by intense anxiety and negative, repetitive and intrusive thoughts (obsessions). To reduce anxiety, the affected person often engages in repetitive actions or behaviors (compulsions).

I am now working with a UK based charity Orchard obsessive-compulsive disorder. We are committed to researching and funding more OCD treatments. Besides, I aim to develop research that highlights the number of people in the BAME community who may have undiagnosed OCD. For now, I simply have an unfounded theory. But, based on my living experience, I believe that many behaviors in society that are categorized as “normal” can be reclassified as compulsive behaviors that relieve anxiety, particularly within the religious parts of society.

As Obsessive Compulsive Awareness Week approaches, 10-16^{The tenth} October, coinciding with Black History Month, is an important month for me and my communities. Either way, there’s no better time than now to talk, especially about the moments when our challenges intersect.

As a black man, evidence suggests that I am more likely to have severe mental health problems and more likely To be divided under the Mental Health Act. There are many barriers to those accessing mental health services: stigma, cultural barriers, racism and even discrimination. I can work to change some of these, such as stigma and cultural barriers. But, times have to change for my communities, which is why I speak for my community and the OCD community – to make big changes everywhere.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder urgently needs more funding and research, which is just scary 89p per year is spent on research for every person with OCD. However, OCD and mental health conditions like it are devastating the UK economy. mental health center It found that in 2010, the total economic cost of mental illness in the UK was £105.2 billion annually, of which the costs of anxiety disorders, including OCD, were £9.8 billion. OCD is often combined with other mental illnesses such as depression, causing an increased risk of suicide in some OCD patients. New studies indicate this People with OCD are 10 times more likely to commit suicide or suicidal behavior. In addition, up to 25% of patients with OCD have admitted to attempting suicide at some point. Now combine this with the fact that Men are also more likely to die by suicide.

Using social media as a powerful platform (plus Modeling and Effect And the the press) , I want to continue telling my story to increase the image of OCD and dispel old harmful narratives that OCD simply cleans up. OCD isn’t a cleanup, but these ideas have stagnated badly in society thanks to programs like Obsessive-Compulsive. Detergents – All 4“. The first episode aired in 2013, with OCD presented as a trait to look out for. For those of us living with OCD, this cannot be removed from the truth. In fact, “only 26.5% of people with OCD actually have flushing compulsions,” according to Obsessive-compulsive disorder in the United KingdomAnd the who responded to the series (which was incredibly commissioned for a third season amid backlash).

Nine years later, we continue to resist the idea that OCD is a good thing. It’s not a good thing. It is a severe anxiety disorder, to the point that The World Health Organization lists anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, as the sixth largest contributor to nonfatal health loss globally.

Many people stay in the shadows when they deserve to live in the light. I hope this article sheds light on you and inspires you to shed light on others. Don’t give up hope.