OCD Coaching Videos & Words of Wisdom

I Can Confidently Tell You
After 40 years of the turmoil, waves, and ups and downs of my ongoing OCD recovery, I can confidently tell you that one can live a full life with this disorder. My basic story is: 30+ years of teaching college with this disorder. Marrying my beautiful wife and both of us coping with this disorder. She is one patient angel. Making 20+ films and videos and writing two books, so far, about this disorder. And, continuing to be an advocate for healing and hope for this disorder and all mental illnesses. I can also confidently tell you, that there is not enough research about this disorder and not enough education and qualified therapists to help those of us that are struggling. I pray that will change. Most of us have to be our own advocates for what we need and want. I encourage you (and remind myself) to be open and direct with family, friends, and your doctors in explaining what you need to cope with the anxiety and depression that OCD produces. Here's an example; I just talked to my family doctor who has some knowledge of OCD but not the nuances of the disorder. I was inquiring if I had to go through the trauma of some medical tests I get every five years. I told him directly, that having three tests in one year was just too overwhelming for me, especially this year with Covid still on the loose. He understood and did cancel one of the tests. But, I had to summon the courage to ask directly for what I need without over-explaining. I mean truly, how does one explain the feeling of anxiety? It ain't easy as you know. I guess my encouragement to you is to calm your mind down as much as you can and then approach someone who just "doesn't quite get it" with compassion but the directness of your needs. It works for me and I believe it can work for you. Empower yourself with honesty and openness about your feelings. JC <3 (Photography is my way of calming my mind with mindfulness) ... See MoreSee Less

OCD Coaching Videos & Words of Wisdom

POSITIVE POSTS FOR OCD & ANXIETY 61
What I Can Do
I think many of us are conditioned through life to focus on
what we can’t do rather than focus on what we can do and what
we have done.
When I was in the hospital years ago with severe OCD, my
psychiatrist said something very important to me that I would
come to understand more deeply later: “The patient is the last
one to see progress.”
I don’t know about you, but I tend to get so enmeshed in the
problem that I miss the strides I have taken forward—even the
tiny ones.
Currently, I’m trying my best to practice a process of
self-reminding. Every time OCD reminds me of what I seemingly
can’t do, I remind myself what I can do and what I have done.
Most of the time I say it out loud so I can hear myself. The
internal dialogue usually goes like this:
OCD: “You can’t get out of the shower in less than 15 minutes.”
Me: “Wait a minute! I can and have gotten out of my shower
rituals in less than 10 minutes. I’ve done it several times and can
and want to do it again. I can and I will!”
So, the next time you think, “I can’t,” remind yourself that “I
want to, and I can.” Even if you are not ready to believe it, you’re
planting the seeds of recovery. Saying it sends the right signals to your subconscious. You can do much more than you think. JC ... See MoreSee Less