Me, Sugar, and OCD

This week’s sugar challenge is about telling the truth and communicating. In the years since the start of this blog I have revealed a lot about myself but there is one thing I haven’t talked about yet.

OCD

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety, or by a combination of such obsessions and compulsions.
(Source: Wikipedia)

Having OCD is a little like this: you notice the painting hanging on your wall is crooked. You straighten it, stand back, and it looks good. You feel relieved. A few minutes later you notice it’s not quite right. You straighten it and stand back. It looks good. You feel relieved. The next day you pass the painting and notice it’s off again, you pushed it too far the day before. You straighten it, stand back, and it looks good. You may need to do it again and again in order to get it to be perfect.

There are varying levels of OCD accompanied by varying symptoms. I’m pretty fortunate. I don’t wash my hands until they bleed, fear germs to the point where I can’t use public rest rooms, nor do I need to drive all the way home to triple check that I shut off my oven. People have told me, “You think too much.” I’ve been described as “cerebral.” In my old personal journals, before I ever knew what OCD was, I described my thought process like trying to untangle a ball of yarn but not being able to find the ends. Each thought was like a string that wound into an endlessly looped knot.

There are a lot of famous people with OCD who lead functional and successful lives. Each has their own unique story. I have mine and sweets certainly played a role. In the coming months I will explore the relationship of sugar and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to a greater degree and write about it.

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