EXTREME OCD – THE SHAW MIND FOUNDATION
When you mention OCD, most people will think of washing hands repeatedly or checking light switches. Unfortunately this is only the a small part of what OCD truly is. We have written of Pure OCD in the past, which is the rumination of thoughts, thoughts that consume your every waking moment and can often be disturbing to the person having them. Imagine going through your day, everyday, trying to get what you have to get done complete whilst spinning a plate on a stick with the other hand, a stick that keeps bending in the middle and a plate that keeps slowing down. This is the constant torture of Pure OCD.
Pure OCD has another sibling, Harm OCD. This form of OCD is extreme in its graphic thoughts, and the fear that it engulfs the person in who is living with them. They can be thoughts of harming others, loved ones and even strangers. Now lets get this straight, the person having these thoughts Does not want to do these things, in fact they are repulsed and disturbed by these thoughts (thoughts that everyone has but most people don’t judge and dissect them) the anxiety caused by these thoughts can lead to addiction, depression and suicide.
In this video below, Adam Shaw talks about his experience with extreme OCD and how it effected every area of his life, making him feel like he simply did not want to be here anymore and perhaps that was the safest option for everyone.
The daily toil of Harm OCD can make you feel like your wading through mud each day, your chest is tight and you can’t breath freely. You can’t think straight and simple things like brushing your teeth can feel terrifying. I believe that Harm OCD is often caused by PTSD Trauma caused by a traumatic event. I myself have had Pure OCD and Harm OCD since I was 14, I worry that I have hurt someone and I can’t remember it. This is very common I know, but this feeling and thought can hover over you like a dark could for months and even years at a time. This can result in substance abuse and depression if it is not seen to through therapy and possibly medication.
It is very common to start to avoid certain situations, such as using knives whilst cooking or even driving. You start to avoid things so you won’t have to worry that you might have hurt someone. Now lets repeat, people with Harm OCD, they do not want to hurt people and never do, in fact it is the total opposite…they are terrified of even the thought of it, so terrified that they can’t live a normal day to day life.
This is an incredibly terrifying mental health condition but there is help. If you are someone who is suffering from any form of OCD then click the link below and connect with Adam and the team at The Shaw Mind Foundation.
