We are in OCD Awareness Week for October 8-14, 2023!

Sometimes I’m still surprised by OCD. Not necessarily by the content anymore, but sometimes. More so, I’m still taken aback by OCD’s creativity, or my creativity I guess, since it is coming from my brain.

OCD can be stereotypical, but more often, OCD can be really far out of left field. This happened to me when one night before bed, I put down my toothbrush. It didn’t land quite with the bottom of the toothbrush on the stand. Instead, it was hanging by the bristles from circle at the top of the stand.

And in my mind that reminded me of a human hanging. Which reminded OCD about someone being hung. And I had the thought that if I didn’t fix my tooth brush, so it was supported safely on the base, then someone I love would be hung or die some other related way.

It’s an interesting conclusion to draw. And it’s not even the first time I’ve had this thought with my toothbrush. It’s just the first time I was flabbergasted by the absurdity of the thought. I found myself thinking, “Seriously, brain?” So I told my partner about it. He was understandably a little confused.

He, for what it’s worth, has never had a thought like this. Or if he has, he probably didn’t even realize he had a thought like this because he does not have OCD and it slipped right away into the ether. His brain isn’t sticky in the same ways as mine.

And this is one reason why having community is so important. As much as my partner loves and supports me, he can’t adequately understand why I fear the placement of my toothbrush might kill someone. I know it’s ridiculous, and most of the time I leave my toothbrush “hanging,” but sometimes I do still “fix” my toothbrush, to ease the intrusive thoughts, if only for a little while. Someone else with OCD can fully understand.

OCD is ridiculous. OCDweek is not. Through fundraising walks, social media lives, bridges lit up teal, film festivals, and more, OCDweek builds this community.

For more information about the week and events, visit here. My nonprofit, Not Alone Notes is posting questions on our story to engage the community. Join us @notalonenotes too!

Morgan