An Unutterable Disease Makes for Curious Quirks

Whether or not you know it or care, I have a rather mild case of Obessive Compulsive Disorder. Not the kind where you have to check everything over and over again or you have super-hypochondria, even though I show tiny tendencies of both (but who doesn't?). My OCD is and has always been a religious-type OCD, but we won't focus on the religion. Instead, we will focus on the humble beginnings of a mental tumor that derailed me for a little while.1

*2

My earliest memories of OCD tendencies come from about the time I was in the fifth grade. I can distinctly see myself carrying a tray of unappetizing lunch food through my middle school cafeteria, wearing the simple wooden cross necklace I got from my acolyte training at an earlier age. I remember sort of blowing kisses at the cross, for reasons I can't fathom anymore. I think I did it before every meal, or maybe I did it whenver I thought about it. I know that I would kiss or blow a kiss to every cross I saw when driving. I'm pretty sure nobody realy noticed, though, or they just ignored the strange whimsies of a little girl. 3

Things got more complicated, though; I remember feeling like I had to kiss every corner, side, and face of each cross I saw, including the one around my neck that was subject to the process an ungodly number of times per day. This feeling of "having" to do something probably heralded the official start of my OCD, and got to the point where kissing all the cross angles and points 2 or 3 times each could be a real pain and time consumer, but I couldn't stop. 4

Aside from the croix-bijoux, I don't remember any major problems from that time, other than being about 8 inches shorter than the rest of the school about about 9 cup sizes flatter. Life was still sweet, as far as fifth and sixth graders feel that it is.5

*6

Another distinct memory comes from when I was probably about.... 13. But I don't remember accuarately the age, so you can insert whatever pre-pubescent (because that's what I still was) time frame that you like. My OCD took me on a stranger, more religious turn, and decided to affect my dental life. This won't make ANY sense at all, and I didn't bring it on myself, although you fellow sufferers will probably nod your heads, so I'll sum it up in one sentence. I felt that if I didn't fully believe in the saving aspect of my religion and brushed my teeth that the toothpaste would poison me and I would die and go straight to hell without even a short review of my transgressions. 7

So I had to get creative, because there was no way I was going to take a chance and brush my teeth, just in case I wasn't 100% about my religion like I thought I needed to be. I stopped brushing my teeth for about two months, but before you get squeamish and sticky, the mildly hypochondriac half of my OCD actually came to my rescue- I decided that it was perfectly alright to use mouthwash, and some dear angel blessed me with this kid's 'toothpaste-mouthwash combo' gel, which was a-okay for use and not quite as likely to fling all 90 pounds of me straight into the eighth level, or whereve it is that Dante saw toothpaste-less, soulless heathens.8

Eventually, it went away, but every once in a while I'll pick up my toothbrush and pause, and say a little prayer of reassurance before I squeeze on the Crest. 9

*10

Memories to add-11

rug hopping12

ham eating13

finger touches14

sweet.15

A contest entry

not finished! comments are welcome, though

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    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
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Comments

1 - 14 of 14

  • magicmonster00M
    May 31, 2008

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    Okay. I have to say that it was written really well, and all that. It amused me, and it made a great read. However, I did not see the point,and though this may sound harsh, I do not think it belongs in Story Write. It really belongs in one of those locked up diaries that are in everyones' attic. I am sorry. However, I will still judge your writing, as a piece, for I remain bound to my rules: Rules:

    1. Any promt, you ge to choose. Give me any story you have got!! I know some of you just choked on your oatmeal!! But it is true!! I do not care! Seriously.

    2. There is no word limit, but if I get the idea that I am reading a bunch of word-processed trash, think of yourself as DQed...not officially, though.

    3. No Erotica, and no bad words...unless it is COMPLETELY necessary. That will get you a chance of being DQed for real.

    4. Have fun! And work hard, the winner takes all.

    You can submit up to 3 stories (If you submit any more, I will delete all your stories), but please put your username and the number of stories you put into the contest in your Author Notes. Those who do not do this, will not have much of chance. It will make it easier for me. This is my first contest, and I hope you enjoy it.

    I will read all the stories, and I will hope I like them, for OUR sake.

    The winner takes ALL!! I wish you all good luck, so enjoy.

    Besides being pointless, the story was written really well, and I enjoyed, even though it was a little strange. Good luck in my contest.

    MagicMonster00M


  • nixers
    May 30, 2008
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    Interesting, but seemingly pointless and it doesn't meet my contest requirements at all.


  • GrimDeath
    May 26, 2008
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    It still interesting. Thank you for entering and Good Luck


  • tallblondie gold member
    May 15, 2008

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    An interesting insight into a condition that many people misunderstand or make light of. Good descriptions of what it was like for you to go through this, especially that the compulsion has no bearing on what you really wanted.

    Thank you for your entry.

  • Thedamned77
    March 10, 2008
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    Definitely something new. I've never heard anything like this. Sure I've heard OCD stories, but none like this. Thank you for letting me see inside your mind. It was a fascinating place to be. I loved your blunt honesty and it kept me reading and wanting more. Thank you for entering!


  • Naive.
    March 4, 2008

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    Great job!

    Like you, I also have a mild case of OCD and I have frequent panic attacks. I have to first tell you how brave you are for writing about this so bluntly and openly. I find that when I usually discuss these types of anxiety disorders with people, they don't tend to understand.

    Anywho, I loved your writing style. It was blunt, honest, and descriptive. I can really relate to everything you've written. And your ending is amazingly unique.

    I'm definitely inspired by this. Thank you so much for entering, and good luck!

    -jj


  • SimplyTaylor
    March 2, 2008

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    This takes a lot of courage to put out there...nicely done, and congrats on the contest prize as well. I like your creative ending a lot. OCD runs in my family, too, but I just can't eat anything I've had for longer than four days.


  • xBitterxSweetx
    February 27, 2008

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    I have a mild form of OCD myself and some of these things enter my mind as well. I think you would be suprised at just how many people really have this problem. With your story, I liked it. It was blunt. And, definitely worth reading. It really is something to think about. This might be a bit picky, but I think that you could really work on the variety of syntax.(Sentence Structure) If you have large sentences grouped up together, it makes the reading a bit tedious. Other than that, it was very good. Great Job and Thanks for entering!


  • GrimDeath
    February 24, 2008
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    I liked it alot, it shows a lot of courage and emotion. Good Luck and Thank you for entering


  • brittanyshanae
    February 23, 2008
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    dude yous gonna finish dis?
    cause i wants to hear more.


  • SeleneStone gold member
    February 16, 2008

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    I have a friend who has this as well. Reading this really made me realize how incredibly hard it has to be sometimes for her. I know she has had to deal with many difficult things as well.

    I like your name btw it's very cool

  • WorstNinjaEver
    February 12, 2008

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    I read that the one biggest problem with OCD is that it is one of the only mental disorders in which the sufferer is aware that their acts of superstition are irrational. It's hard to be crazy, but it's hard to be self-aware that you are crazy.

    As I have told you, cuz, I have a friend who suffers - if not just as severe even more severely - like you do. I don't think I'll ever quite grasp what it is like to think those certain thoughts, but that makes me even more interested in what affects my friend.


    Anyway, I understand.


    • callthexylophone
      February 13, 2008
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      Thank you, I realyly do appreciate it. I hope your friend has found a way to deal with it; the only thing that has ever helped me was to talk about it.


      • callthexylophone
        February 13, 2008
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        annnnnnd a little prescribed prozac, but it's never a permanent fix (mine was only a few months) and it's mostly for kids whose anxieties were brought on by hormonal changes and chemical imbalances. still does'nt beat having a good confidant or therapist, though.

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