I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder four years ago this month. At that point, I could not function. My thoughts consumed me. Determined, I threw myself into working on myself. I am excited to report that I am in recovery! Much of what helped me was mindfulness. I think I rewired my brain. The poem below was my next assignment for my writing class…a conceit…and I chose to write about my OCD experience. I hope this helps someone else that has had to deal with the debilitating effects of OCD.
OCD Central
Wayward travelers, into the station fall!
Some stay, the station master enthralled,
though the conductor’s horn sounds.
These visitors follow the master and chat,
saying this and that,
and when the station closes, they will not go.
They will not move, though the master begs,
her emotions like powder kegs.
They feed on her anxiety.
Until she calmly sits
And, her lack of control, she freely admits
to her torments.
At last, bored with her, they depart
and she feels in her heart
that this station is once again hers.