OCD in film and television.

Being a person that sufferes from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) I find myself getting repeatedly offended by film makers, I was watching a film and somebody was labelled a freak because he was obsessed with washing his hands and would worry about germs, it upset me because I am also overly worried about germs and I always have to wash my hands. It is a compulsion. I will have a sudden need to wash my hands and if I don't it will really bug me. 

Not only did it bother me because I am also a sufferer of this horrible illness but it doesn't just affect people in a way that they physically have to do something. I also struggle mentally, with worry, I somewhat have a need to worry, even if I don't want to me subconscious takes over and makes me panic.

OCD affects my daily life, I get worried about touching door handles, especially those in public toilets, I worry about using other people's pens that aren't mine and I hate people touching my food or going anywhere near my plate. Even someone getting a crisp from my packet is enough to put me off. I often worry about making mistakes or saying the wrong thing as if I do, that will be in my head for months, no lie. That mistake will bother me for so long, I will obsess over it. I avoid going out to places where I won't know most of the people because I'm worried about doing something wrong...

But

That doesn't make me a 'freak' at all. I'm just someone that is unfortunate enough to have a horrible condition which makes me worry a lot. People with OCD have feelings too, it's not nice to make someone feel like they're weird because of a disorder which isn't their fault. The more stigma there is about OCD the harder it is to break. 

If you're suffering, be brave. I'm always here if you need a chat because I know exactly what it's like. Don't listen to those which laugh at your condition, you're strong and you can get through it. 

All my love

Chloe xx

Why we should be more aware of social media

The era in which we live in today means that our generation uses social media accounts to express themselves more freely than they would do in everyday life whilst going to school, college or work. Why? The internet is a place where sometimes only complete strangers can see what we reveal and if we are judged by them it's far easier to fight back from behind a keyboard. For many people, especially shy people like myself the internet is a great place to show how you truly feel without the worry of how people react.

Unfortunately in some cases these blogging websites such as Tumblr can cause more harm than good, influencing people who are easily impacted by things presented to them. A few years ago a dangerous craze started on Tumblr with people reblogging what they called 'thinspiration' where people uploaded pictures of themselves or other extremely, dangerously thin girls to use as inspiration to others. The TV star Gok Wan created a TV series for the teenage generation and one of the episodes was based on a young girl whose self loathing led to anorexia. She created her body image on the photos of the girls she had seen on a blogging website and as a result made herself very ill. Since this outbreak of the 'thinspiration' craze Tumblr has been very careful to monitor the users and ensure they are using the site in an appropriate and healthy way.

I have also seen other sad ways people use the popular blog website, such as uploading violent, graphic and suicidal images. Uploading pictures relating to death, self harm and self loathing. This is something not just tumblr needs to monitor but the people that view these users that reblog and upload this particular kind of content. When people show an increased interest towards death this should be a major warning sign that this person needs help. I understand that sometimes people just want to reblog an image because they like it but in many cases it is a way of self expression and is sometimes even a cry for help.

Being a user of tumblr myself I am always on alert for somebody that uploads dark, or self damaging content. It is important that we see these blog pages as an expression and not just a photo as sometimes we may be able to help somebody who is in deep need of comfort and somebody to talk to. I understand that it is difficult and sometimes seen as quite intrusive, but, you may just save a life.

I will add a link to my own tumblr account if you want to have a look at my expressions,

remember, always be aware.

Lots of love
Chloe xx

http://spoonfulofwishfulthinking.tumblr.com/