Dear n20:

I suffered from OCD as a child and onward, lots of obsessions/ intrusive thoughts and compulsions, was diagnosed with it, and it did get better for me, way better; so much so, that I no longer fit the diagnosis. I will be glad to share more about it with you.

I am wondering, since you were diagnosed with OCD in the last year: was any treatment offered to you? The whole idea of diagnoses is to follow them with treatments, specific treatments designed for specific diagnoses.

anita

Dear n20: I’ll reply in the next couple of hours.

anita

Hi n20

It’s good to hear that you are receiving treatment. 😊 You are young, it might not seem like it now, but with help there is a very good chance of recovery. Being younger the mind is very flexible and not yet set in its ways. You are also very self-aware and clearly intelligent with a bright future ahead of you.

It may surprise you to learn that every single person on the planet suffers from mental health difficulties at some point in their lives. Some people recover better than others.

I found it beneficial to learn from people who are coping well in their recovery.

Believing that recovery is possible is an important part in being open to recovery. Trust that your therapist has done this before and is good at their job. It is your job to learn from your therapist how to take care of yourself and be your own therapist. Of course, if there is something that you disagree with it is a good idea to stick up for yourself and discuss it. Therapists appreciate when people do that, so they can fix any problems.

Love and best wishes! ❤️🙏

Dear n20:

Thank you for coming back and sharing this update!

On June 30, 2024, you shared that you struggled with anxiety your entire life, which had significantly worsened over the past year, leading to your first experience with depression and a diagnosis of OCD. Despite feeling overwhelmed by the persistent nature of your mental health issues, you held onto hope for improvement and sought support from others with similar experiences while working on self-compassion and living in the moment.

Fast forward almost 8 months, and it’s lovely to see your photos and stories of world travel. You look wonderful, and your positive energy truly shines through!

In “Lesson Learned,” you recounted your harrowing journey of seeking validation and help for your worsening health issues. You advocated for yourself and underwent extensive medical testing, which eventually revealed lesions on your brain indicative of multiple sclerosis (MS). Further testing results were negative for MS, and you did not share a definitive diagnosis regarding the cause of the lesions, as far as I can tell.

You shared your story to provide hope to others who might be struggling, emphasizing that it is possible to feel better and emerge stronger from immense suffering. You reflected on how accepting your emotions, including suicidal thoughts, helped you move through the pain. Now, you have new ambitions, including pursuing a PhD program and reconnecting with family. You expressed gratitude for the experience, despite its challenges, as it has profoundly changed your life and provided you with valuable insights. You now understand the significance of happiness and suffering and can look back at this time for strength in future hardships.

It’s inspiring, n20, to read how far you have come despite facing serious health issues affecting your brain. Your strength and resilience are truly admirable, and I’m so glad to read that you’re finally getting the help you need.

Your journey is a powerful reminder that there is hope, even in the most challenging times. It’s heartening to know that you’re proud of your progress, and it’s uplifting for others who might be going through similar struggles.

Your story will undoubtedly provide hope and encouragement to anyone reading it. Thank you for being brave enough to share your experience and for offering a beacon of hope to others.

Wishing you continued strength, healing, and positivity on your journey.

anita