Hello I am Charlotte, 39, from Hampshire.
I have just joined and this is my first post! I have had OCD, anxiety and panic attacks since childhood. During my late teens I became so bad I was pretty much housebound for 5 years. I managed to strengthen my mind and overcome it, living panic attack-free and only with mild OCD for about 10 years.
In that time, sadly my parents and grandparents passed away, I was in an abusive marriage, and my youngest child was diagnosed with autism and global development delay. I had a mental breakdown.
3 years on and I am in an amazing place. I am happy and content with my life and feel very blessed. However… the OCD, anxiety and panic attacks have returned. I have tried a few medications but don’t like the side effects and I know I am strong enough to overcome the worst of these disorders.
I have foreboding OCD with intrusive thoughts. I absolutely understand why my OCD has gone down this path… loosing my family and a child with no fear of danger! It has stopped me being able to drive on the motorway though as I am terrified of crashing and dying horribly. I can’t let my children open their bedroom windows in case they fall out and die. I have visions of slipping over, breaking bones, falling off bridges…
I am done with living in a constant state of anxiety and fear. I am starting the process of taking back control of my mind