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5 Ways Living With OCD Has Shaped Me for the Better

After living with OCD since childhood, one writer reflects on how managing the disorder has shaped her creativity, empathy, and resilience.

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I’ve battled obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) since childhood, and I truly do not know life without this disorder. The ego-dystonic intrusive thoughts, the debilitating rumination, the time-consuming compulsions—they pretty much defined my youth.

In adulthood, I have a better handle on the symptoms and a deeper understanding of how to manage the disorder. In fact, I’ve even used it to my advantage at times.

I’d never rebrand the mental health condition as a “superpower” or even dismiss it as a mere nuisance. OCD is among the top 10 most debilitating illnesses, including both physical and mental health conditions. Often, it’s a living hell that sabotages life’s most precious blessings.

However, I find no empowerment in admitting defeat against this disorder. With the right approach (and necessary treatment, like therapy and medication), I’ve been able to view my mental health through a more rose-colored lens.

In honor of OCD Awareness Month, rather than focusing on the obvious downsides of this disorder, here........

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