Obsessive compulsive disorder
Frantically racing not to cross the border
I’m in the ring, knocked down on the floor,
Begged this referee to end this hour of horror
Get up, you will not die, you will defy
I will win back my mind

Anafranil and Prozac were offered to me
But Christians say they’ll save you for eternity
There’s bugs in my head, cause me to repeat
I wish someone could re-program me.
I am not going to die, I am going to defy
All of the thoughts inside my head

—JC

My heart melted

Watching you grow was a

Pleasure beyond words

I often wondered why you

Always seemed so worried about

Doing the right thing or telling the truth

Now I know it is because of

OCD that you doubt so much

I wanted to shield you from

The pain the anxiety caused

Put you in a plastic bubble to protect you

Now I know that is the worst thing

I could possibly do I used to be ashamed of not being

Able to protect you

Because I didn’t understand

The battle is yours to fight

I am so proud of your

Hard work and determination

Towards fighting this disease

I realize how special you are

And how brave you have become

You taught me what courage really means

I am honored to be your Mother.

(written by mother of child with OCD)

and pain, this heavy burden,

the pitted feelings I feel.

You don’t understand that I have wings

that will let me soar and be free,

but I’m shackled to the ground.

You try to cut them free

by reading books and

watching movies, learning all you can.

You make it seem so easy, because you don’t

understand.

I know you do this because you care

and I do appreciate it.

But the only way that you could

understand is if you are one of us

who had been blessed with this OCD.

Sometimes I don’t even understand

why God made this and how

it really is a blessing,

But I know God does not make

mistakes.

You won’t understand that when

I cut one loop off the chain,

I rise a little higher

towards hope and determination.

I feel this is an unending fight,

that can be overcome at times.

This in a way is making me stronger.

Maybe this will help you

understand me a little better.

But you will never truly

understand.

(written by teen with OCD)

Just to make sure
Just to make sure
Until I am cured
Are you sure
Are you sure I ask over and over
Not even listening to their answer
I’m still there later hence
Still asking the same question
Finally they get annoyed and kick me out
However, I still feel the doubt
Trying to get everything out
Even trying to explain why there is drought
Oh no, I’ve taken too long to explain
They all ran away
Can’t blame them I talked their ears off
Well I had to get it out
It’s too noisy in here, I wish I weren’t here
I’ll just go
I keep telling my daughter to bring me a glass of cold water
Even when it’s right in front of my face

I have to go now
I see a picture on the wall
It’s not straight
It’s straight you say
It’s one inch off It’s bugging me
That is why I must go
Because I have OCD you know.

(written by teen whose mother has OCD)