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