The Silent Monster In The Room

If you are reading this blog, you are full aware that we have a silent monster existing in our house. Our monster is called OCD. This is not your neighbor who must keep his garage clean or your co-worker that likes his desk in order. Some call it the doubter's disease. It is often thought of as the "perfectionist" disease. Its greatest tool is fear. It is a biochemical disorder in the brain. Basically, your brain skips like a broken record. It will play a phrase, question or picture repeatedly in the brain. The victim does absolutely nothing to bring about the disease. They are not crazy. They are not dangerous. They do not WISH to have these thoughts. Usually the thoughts are disgusting or scary. They are not associated with the true personality and feelings of the victim.

In order for the victims of OCD to alleviate their fear, they often turn to compusions or rituals. The rituals vary from person to person. EVERYONE WITH OCD DOES NOT WASH THEIR HANDS. (I had to put that in all caps, so that I didn't have to answer it yet another 1000 times!)

OCD can be co-morbid (in conjunction with) other disorders such as depression, social anxiety, etc. IT CAN BE CONTROLLED through medication and cognative behavior therapy. It is life-long for most but it will come and go in intensity. The obsessions and compulsions can change.

Please understand, victims of OCD want the same things out of life that you want. They desire to have friendships, marriage, children, fufilling careers and enjoyment. This disorder spills into their school work, social lives and the lives of their families.

On the brighter side, OCD does NOT have control at our house, because we have one strong little fighter. I have nothing but pride in all three of my children. But I swell with pride at the thought of the battle that has been fought against OCD by our daughter. She takes her medicine daily which is a MUST, whether she thinks she needs it or not. She goes to all her doctor appointments and most of all..........she does her therapy work. She didn't give in to the monster. THAT is hard work, especially at 13 years old.

Now, we will work to see how this war with OCD can be used to glorify God. It is to God that we go whenever we wage our battle. He will be the one we will glorify with each victory. We know that he does not leave us, when we are working to fulfill his plan.