Recently through attending a mental health themed event on campus and then joining the club that helped run the event I have met someone else with OCD at my school. YAYYYY. I was so excited to finally know someone else with OCD on campus because it is indescribably amazing anytime you have a conversation with someone else that truly understands all of the layers and complexities of the condition.

We ended up getting together for coffee and having a long chat about OCD that covered a wide range of topics. One topic we discussed was trying to think of any positives that come out of having OCD. We we’re half-serious, half-joking but either way I think being able to laugh at yourself can be a very powerful tool. Put that with practicing thinking on the bright side and you may have yourself a winning combination to help you get through tough times.

Of course, this list does not mean to undermine the severity or seriousness of OCD in anyway. I’m very passionate about raising awareness for what OCD truly is and clearing up misconceptions or jokes about the condition. Nonetheless, as long as you also understand how debilitating OCD can be, a good laugh can go a long way when you’re frustrated with OCD and want to loosen it’s grip a tad.

 

Here are…a few perks of having OCD!

1. You develop a really long attention span.

You want me to work on something for 8 hours straight? Sure, no problem! I already do that all the time!

2. You have an amazing memory.

Memorizing a long chain of numbers is child’s play…because I seriously spent hours doing this as a child.

3. Your brainstorming skills are top notch.

Need 10 different ways this can happen? I’ll give ya 20!

4. You aced math class.

When you’ve spent many extra hours doing math in your head to prevent catastrophes all that practice sure comes in handy!

5. You are great to have around in a disaster.

A fire?? I’ve been preparing for this in my thoughts for years!

 

And last but not least, my favorite perk:

6. You learn how to take chances and become a master at living with uncertainty.

If working on my OCD in therapy has taught me anything, it’s how to push past anxiety and just take the chance. Maybe something bad will happen, most likely it won’t, but I’m going to take the chance anyway and live my life with more freedom.

~Morgan

 

P.S. If you like this style of humor, the article below is hilarious:

WWN’s Guide To Pretending You Have OCD to Seem More Interesting