This essay was extremely well written. I personally have had experience with OCD, just because I have researched it, written a paper on it, and seen a documentury on the lives of a few people with OCD. It is such a sad disorder. I cannot imagine having to deal with such illogical, trivial anxieties in a world that is packed full of problems and burdens to begin with. At first, I thought that Mary Beth had a rage problem, but as I read on, even before it was absolutely evident, I began to notice that she had symptoms of OCD.
I have often found myself in a state of immense worry but it is only because I worry about my family. Obsessive it may be, but I worry about my father dying young because of his stress level; his father died at a young age and I fear that my father would die unhappy. This is not too far-fetched because heart problems can be hereditary. I am a religious person and I believe that my father will go to heaven, but he has a long life ahead of him and I could not imagine losing him or my mother at this point in my life. I also worry about my sisters, Uncle, and the rest of my family in general. Through reading this essay, I realize that my worry, is only a tiny fraction of the worry that burdens a person with OCD. I used to think my father was a bit obsessive, but he was just worried like any normal parent; I know that Mary Beth has a true problem because of her testimony.
However, no matter how outrageous Mary Beth's condition seems, it is evident that when Mary Beth has to carry out every day activities, she is quite capeable of doing so. Of course her disorder has created some roadblocks, but if OCD had complete control of her life, she would not have written such a breathtaking essay. I loved her style and her descriptions made it easy to understand the burden of OCD. Her style allows the reader to take a walk in her shoes. Yes, OCD is a horrible disorder, but it has not limited Mary Beth in the real world and it may have been the disorder itself that sparked within her such a creative and unforgetable style. If it weren't for her disorder, she may have never touched her readers in the way she did, or even aspired to write period. Mary Beth's life is surely a differentiation from the norm, but so is her creativity and her passion; I will not soon forget her ability to express herself; it was absolutely amazing.
1. Is heavy medication really the best thing to treat OCD?
2. Wouldn't a therapist who has OCD themselves be the best person for an OCD patient to interact with? (there may be very few of these people, but I believe that to relate to another, personal experience is a key aspect)
2 comments:
I don't think that strong meds are the answer to solving OCD, in most cases I feel when you are heavily medicated you begin to lose a part of yourself. You become a different person losing certain qualities. I also think it might be a good idea to get someone with OCD to help someone dealing with OCD out, but I don't think that person should be a therapist. I think just having OCD friends or people that have been through what you go through is treatment enough. You need a therapist strong enough to make you break those rituals that you feel you need to practice everyday.
I think the best thing for an OCD person is heavy therapy along side treatment. Therapy is certainly the best over drugs though because they give you the steps you need to get over anxiety and realize why its happening. There are many affects of anxiety that pills won't treat, but pills will help other affects of anxiety thus drugs are nice to have, so i think both together are the best way to go.
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