Most things I have written come from having OCD myself and having been active in a support- club on the internet for almost 3 years now.
I used to hide from the information that was out there, partly because reading is not always easy for me and partly because I was scared this would just add new things to my long list of already existing rituals.
But working on this site made me have to look up some information, so my own views would be "backed up" by expert opinions as I don't want to give people wrong advice/information.

The main purpose of this site was not to provide in depth theoretical information, but rather to share with others what I have been trying to understand for myself for so long. Although, slowly am I trying to incorporate more and more of the former also.
For as long as I haven't included some of the important theoretical parts of OCD, I will link to sites that already provide comprehensible and in- depth information.
However, being a sufferer that has been in many different therapies, I do feel I speak from experience. I try to talk about the more humane side of OCD, since I feel that's what will make the outsiders relate more easily and the insiders feel less ashamed/alone.
That's my hope, now back to reality :).
Please read the Disclaimer. for this site, thank you :).

If you have any comments you would like to share, please do so by sending your FeedBack.  All input will be appreciated.

To those who would like to understand OCD.

For those who don't have a printer or who can't spend hours online and still wish to learn about OCD, there are many books out there that will explain you in depth about OCD and which can be helpful to get a better understanding.

I would also like to suggest to those that have come here to get a better understanding of the disorder to look through the basic information 1 st. and just follow the order of the pages as they come in and to only then read some of the personal stories.
Reading these stories might show you what OCD does to someone's live in a more objective way. By objective I mean that what you will read will not be through the eyes of your partner/child/friend but through the eyes of someone neutral and I hope this different perspective will make it easier for you all to understand.
Being too closely involved might at times change the way you perceive things.
OCD is not an excuse, OCD is not in our lives so we can get attention, OCD is not a choice.

What people with OCD try and fight each and every day is very true and very difficult for others to understand.
No person can be blamed for finding OCD- behaviors and thoughts to be illogical though, because of the simple fact that they are.
But whilst you look at them, please bare in mind that the person with OCD feels them, lives them.
The anxiety which is at the basis of their behaviors/thoughts is what is making the fighting so intensely difficult and painful. There is no easy way to just "snap out of it", to just "stop" or "let go".
Even though in a way this is an option, this option is one that can only be made by making a huge and exhausting effort. So yes, not giving in is a decision, sure... but what follows this decision is incredibly scary and demands all of the person's energy, which they often lack.
When you confront your fears you may find yourself experiencing a Panic Attack.
This means you may to start Hyper- ventilate, feel dizzy, your sight may blur, you feel like the world is tumbling down on you, you think you will die or that something awful is going to happen to you or someone you love........................
When you have never experienced this, it may seem absurd or exaggerated. Maybe... but it's petrifying to go through and all you want is to be able to make that stop. Of course, everyone will react differently and depending on what you are trying to resist, this will be more or less severe.
But in all will we be left with a nagging feeling of not having done something correctly and with many questions on our mind and anxiety that is seemingly telling us to "Come on, just do this so things can go back to normal."..... for a short while anyway.
Now remember, this is only from a human point of view I am talking here, I haven't even started to inform you that OCD is based on a chemical imbalance in the brain.
A combination that is truly tough to find a solution for.
But people do get better from OCD, there is hope.........

This site is not a plea to feel sorry for us, this is not me trying to show you how hard OCD is on us and you should therefore indulge us.
This is me, someone who has had OCD for many years now, who would like try to help you understand. In combination with the Experiences of others I hope I will succeed in doing just that.
Would be nice if the world could see OCD for what it is, a true and debilitating disorder that we can't just ignore.
I can tell you, if we could ignore it, we would be the 1 st. to do so..... :).
I truly hope you will get something from this site.
Please read the information and stories with an open and accepting mind. No prejudices, just the willingness to try and understand..... :).

Thank you for having made the 1 st. steps.
Take care :),
Sarah.