Discovering a Lifeline: My Journey with OCD and OCD.app

Guest post by @natpollick

Hello, my name is Nat, and I’m sharing my story to help raise awareness about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the struggles that come with it, and how OCD.app became a significant part of my journey towards recovery.

My journey with OCD started when I was seventeen, although, like many of us, I didn’t understand what was happening at first. It was a frightening world of intrusive thoughts and unwanted compulsions that made no sense to me. Thoughts of causing harm to innocent people plagued my mind, filling me with guilt, shame, and fear. These were people I cared about, people I would never dream of hurting. Yet, my mind was filled with such horrifying scenarios.

I was desperate for help, but finding it was another uphill battle. Many of the therapists I saw had a limited understanding of OCD. There seemed to be a void in the mental health landscape that couldn’t quite accommodate the intricacies of this condition.

One day, a fellow member of my support group recommended OCD.app. At first, I was skeptical. I was used to traditional therapy and the concept of managing OCD through an app felt too novel, almost simplistic. But I was desperate for a solution and decided to give it a try.

The first thing I noticed was the swiping. Swiping up for irrational thoughts, down for supportive ones. Initially, it felt too simple to me. Could something as complex as OCD really be managed this way? Yet, I persisted, mostly out of curiosity and a pinch of hope.

After a few weeks, I started to notice a change. The process, as simple as it was, started to make sense. Every swipe was a small act of defiance against my intrusive thoughts, an assertion of control over my own mind. It wasn’t a sudden, dramatic transformation, but a slow shift in perspective that helped me gradually regain control over my life.

The app served as a constant reminder of my ongoing battle, but it also became a record of my victories, no matter how small. It was encouraging to see my progress charted in real-time, acting as a much-needed morale booster during the toughest times.

The community component within the OCD.app was another unexpected solace. Being part of a group of people who were experiencing similar struggles was incredibly comforting. It helped alleviate the sense of isolation that often accompanies OCD. It’s a diverse group – from different walks of life, cultures, and orientations. I, a lesbian woman, found this especially encouraging. It was a safe space where I could explore how others think, and express my own thoughts, without judgment or prejudice.

The resources within the app were invaluable as well. The educational content was insightful, providing me with a deeper understanding of the cognitive aspects of OCD.

OCD.app is not a magic pill. It doesn’t ‘cure’ OCD. What it does, however, is provide you with tools to manage your OCD better, thereby improving your quality of life. It helped me regain a sense of control and peace that I thought was lost forever.

Today, I still have OCD. It’s part of who I am. But I am no longer defined by it, no longer trapped in a cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsions. Instead, I am an individual who happens to have OCD, an individual who has found a lifeline in the unlikeliest of places, an app.

If you’re struggling with OCD, I urge you to give OCD.app a try. It may seem too simple at first, but with persistence and an open mind, you might just find a lifeline, just like I did.

Remember, you are not alone in your battle with OCD. There’s a community waiting to welcome and support you, both in the physical world and in the digital world of OCD.app. So, take a step, make a swipe, and start your journey towards reclaiming control over your life.

Stay strong,

Nat.