I Have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Hi, my name is Jacob Young. I have obsessive-compulsive disorder. I suffered from perfectionism for years. Perfect is unrealistic, and OCD sufferers struggle with it.

Anything, no matter how fantastic it was that was less than perfect was unacceptable to me. Even though I knew perfect was unrealistic I struggled with it because my brain was compelled for perfection. Perfect was never going to be reached, but I would not give up until it was. Because of that I kept on forever tormenting myself. Eventually I got out of the situation but it was very hard and I was worn completely out, I had no energy.

Perfectionism will drive anyone with OCD absolutely crazy. It was never as simple as telling myself "It's not perfect, just accept it." I told myself that millions of times and it never turned out that way. It was never because I did not want to accept imperfection, it was because my brain was compelled for things to be perfect. It had to be perfect even when I didn't want it to be and knew it couldn't be.

Perfect does not exist, only good enough. Perfectionism causes great anxiety, and the anxiety is what wears you out. The only solution was not to get into a situation in the first place, then I wouldn't be trapped trying to get out. Once I am trapped it is extremely hard to get out. I have gotten into situations trying to get something perfect and it was nightime by the time I got out.

I don't even think medicine and talk therapy will fix perfectionism, I think it's just not curable. I am doing very well today and am on medicine that is helping alot. I don't have a problem with perfectionism anymore, not because I can accept imperfection, because I am not doing compulsions that involve perfection.

I am not alone with OCD and no one else is. Millions of people have it. Compulsions are the enemy of OCD. People do compulsions to get rid of their obsessive thoughts, but the thoughts only go away temporarily, and when they come back they have to do the same thing again to make the thoughts go away again. It repeats thousands of times. I had this problem but I don't anymore, I quit doing compulsions.

People think rituals will make them feel better and relieve anxiety, but they actually make the OCD worse. The more the compulsions are performed, the stronger the OCD gets. When I did compulsions they did not always involve perfection, they were basically things I did to make the obsessive thoughts that were bothering me go away. The relief it gave me never lasted.

I have had a problem with perfectionism and compulsions, both I no longer have a problem with. I am doing alot better with OCD because I am not doing compulsions, that is what makes it worse.

I wish everyone that has OCD good luck, and my advice to you is do not do compulsions, if you don't do them your OCD will weaken and it will be alot better. I speak from experience.

Best Regards,
Jacob Young