Here are 5 things you should know.
1. If you experience repetitive, unwanted and disturbing thoughts like “what if I want to hurt someone?” and “what if I’m secretly attracted to children?” it’s a symptom of OCD – not of being a bad person.
There are lesser-known forms of OCD (usually referred to as Pure O) which manifests itself in the form of repetitive unwanted and disturbing thoughts that goes against what you believe is morally correct. (Also known as intrusive thoughts, different from hearing voices). Many of these are unwanted sexual and violent thoughts. These are distressing and often leaves the sufferer feeling guilty, ashamed, saddened, disgusted or frightened (or a combination of those feelings).
These are some examples of OCD types:
- Harm OCD: concerns you might want to hurt someone (or yourself)
- Pedophilia OCD: fear you might be attracted to children or harm them
- Religious OCD: concerns you might do/say something blasphemous, sin, or do something that goes against God
- Relationship OCD: constantly second-doubting the relationship, fearing you might cheat, fearing you don’t really love your partner…etc
- Responsibility OCD: fear you might accidentally endanger someone, fear that an action you take/don’t take might result in harm…etc.
One might have “invisible” compulsions in form of avoidance (e.g. staying away from children, hiding knives), reassurance seeking (e.g. taking “am I a psychopath” tests or asking people if they think you’re a good person), checking (e.g. searching for “evidence” or making sure you have done/haven’t done something) or rumination (though there are others, too). Some people experience false memories.
Ironically, these are among the people least likely to harm others because of all the precautions they take not to.
WHY: The reason you should know this, is because there are a lot of people out there suffering from OCD without knowing it. It can be terrifying to walk around with these thoughts. Just know there’s a whole community out there who are having the same thoughts and feelings, and there are ways to treat it.
A video on it: What is Pure OCD?
An excerpt from this article on a woman’s personal experience with it (which might be a bit triggering for some, as it describes thoughts in details):
“Purely obsessional OCD is so-called because the compulsions are largely invisible, and not often acted out in the more obvious, better-known ways such as cleaning or hand washing. Pretty much everything about pure O is secretive. These are things you’re not even supposed to think about, let alone talk about. How would a teenage boy tell his parents that he thought about having sex with his sister, a thousand times a day? What if you were a mother and you kept having thoughts about drowning your baby in the bath? Or a gay man who kept having thoughts about vaginas when you made love to your husband? How would you begin to talk about it? You’d keep it secret for years; for your whole life, perhaps.”
Please be fine! You are amazing in your own way!!!
2. US truck drivers are very thankful for everyone that’s bringing us goodie bags and food to rest areas and truck stops.
An experience shared: “No matter how much you guys cut us off in traffic, flip us off with your middle finger to remind us that we’re number one, deep down inside we know that you still love us. Thank you!”
3. During the current world climate, many companies are delaying bill payments, however, your bill is STILL ACCUMULATING!
Many companies such as T-Mobile and Spectrum are working with customers to extend their bill by 60 days. However, your bill will still accumulate and not suspend. Consider trying to pay down your bills during your grace period or expect massive sized bills to hit you once we are past all this.
4. Adult Swim has made Samurai Jack free to watch on their website.
(Use a VPN for the USA if it’s not working)
5. The Internet Archive released the National Emergency Library that gives be public free access to over 1.4 million digital books.
The National Emergency Library promotes learning and education in a time where libraries are closed. Amazon is also not prioritizing book orders at this time which means that fulfilling orders and shipping will take longer if they come at all. The library is great to learn something new or read a good book for free. National Emergency Library link
