#HeadsTogether Tips for Living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

For Northampton University’s Mental Health Awareness and Wellbeing Day, we are highlighting various forms of mental illness with real-life advice from staff and students. First up is Belinda’s experience of living with OCD:

What is it like to have OCD?

For people living with OCD, it can feel like you’re living in a prison in your own mind; irrational thoughts prodding and poking you from every angle. Eventually you become so tortured by your thoughts that you start performing little rituals that will help to subdue them. The ‘obsessive’ part happens when the frequency of your thoughts increase and the compulsion is the action you do to stop them.

It can feel that with OCD is that you’re your own worst enemy.

You’re fully aware that the thoughts are not rational, these aren’t the conclusions you would come to using a ‘normal’ cogitative pattern. But the illness makes you think that you’re somehow different and that the thoughts are true. The more you try not to think about it, the worse it becomes.

It’s like someone tells you not to think of a pink elephant and all you can then think of is the pink elephant. It’s a downward spiral that can reduce even the strongest person to tears.

My Personal Journey

I’ve lived with OCD for 14 years.

Most sufferers will notice the illness when they are going through adolescence, however it can occur at any stage of life, even in small children. At the time when it starts you think it might be something that you grow out of or it will end when you get older. Sadly this is very rarely the case. There might be peaks and troughs to the intensity of the thoughts but it never truly leaves you.

Unfortunately this disease also leads on to other problems such as chronic anxiety, depression and can even lead to suicidal thoughts. In 2012 my OCD had become so bad that one day after work, I found myself standing on a London Underground platform waiting to jump in front of the next train just as a way out to stop the thoughts and images in my head. My OCD had secluded me from my family, friends and husband. I couldn’t talk to them because they wouldn’t understand, I had cried so much that my eyes were on fire and I didn’t want to bother anyone anymore with my issues. I couldn’t cope with life. Fortunately a friend from work saw me and caught my attention and asked me if I was alright.

It Got Better

I explained the situation to a friend from work and they were kind enough to listen to me. From talking to them I decided to open up to family and seek medical help. That was the lowest point of my entire life but through research into the illness, I’m able to implement safety routines to help me cope with day to day life.

Tips to help control OCD

1. Having a strong support network

Talking to people, whether that is family or friends, is always a massive help. Even if you speak to the same person over and over again just having someone to sound-off against can be really helpful. Make them aware if you are going through a particularly difficult patch, so they can be more prepared if you need help.

2. Join a support group

Support groups are amazing for people suffering with OCD, as people with OCD often look for assurance that they are not alone and that someone else is experiencing the same problems that they are. If you cannot find a local support group, then some online ones are very good. I’ve found that it’s also really helpful if you can post supportive posts to people who seem to be really suffering on these groups to reassure them.

3. Meet regularly with your doctor

Seeing your doctor to talk through your OCD is beneficial to keep you not only healthy but to keep you safe as well. They will be able to assess you regularly and make sure your mental health is at its best. They might also be able to help refer you to a specialist if needed.

4. Wear an elastic band

This is a neat little cognitive trick to help stop the obsessive thought pattern. An elastic band is worn on the wrist and when you have an obsessive thought snap the band on your wrist to help break you out of the cycle. This doesn’t work for everyone but can help lessen the thought process.

If you’re interested in gaining more advice about mental health and wellbeing, then get involved in events happening across campus this week. Also if you suffer with a mental illness, we would love you to write a blog for us about your experience and what advice you can give others, so please get in touch: [email protected]