Showing posts with label Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Show all posts

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

A brief overview of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for addictions counsellors

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When you attempt to eliminate risk from your life, you eliminate along with it, your ability to function.
- Fred Penzel

I once watched a man attempt to cross Belgravia Road. He approached the traffic light, turned away. He approached it again, and again he turned away. He repeated this process at least six times. Eventually he reached out to touch the button that would activate the pedestrian crossing light. Then he withdrew his hand, wiped it vigorously on his shirt and attempted to do it again. Again he withdrew. The next time he covered his figure with his shirt, but still he could not touch the button. The car behind me hooted, and I was forced to pull off. I was not convinced that this man would ever make it across the road. Such is the nature of OCD – obsessive, compulsive and utterly debilitating.