I'm watching Obsessed right now on A&E. It's a show about people with anxiety, phobias, OCD, etc. I have to say, I'm so happy that there is a show about this, so maybe other people can understand what it's like to have these problems.

One of the nicest feelings is that when I watch this show I feel so free. I know what those people are going through, but that's not me anymore. I don't have any of those terrifying thoughts now. I don't have the urge to do things 3 times. I don't collect unnecessary things. I don't need to do repetitive tasks to keep my brain busy to avoid those intrusive thoughts. I don't need to pack the insane amount of stuff with me when I leave the house. I'm not afraid of dying anymore. I'm not afraid of losing my loved ones anymore. I'm not afraid of contamination like I used to be (I'm at a much more reasonable level now). I don't have panic attacks. And I'm not clinging to all those underlying emotional problems. Yes, I still get stressed out, and when that happens some of those old symptoms start to appear again, but I can make them go away now. Such a nice feeling.

I watch this show, and I just want to give everyone a big hug and tell them that it can get better, but it takes work. It's not easy work, but it's worth it.

Labels: Health, My Life, The Quest for Happiness