“There’s a time to look around and be dazzled by the grace and good in the world, a time to give thanks for the space to share.“
I recently spoke about OCD with intrusive thoughts at the Dahlonega Literary Festival in north Georgia. The moderator was a psychiatrist, Dr. Jacob Appel, with years of experience; after working psychiatry in the ER, he’s seen it all. I’ve pitched my memoir You’re Not Murderer: You Just Have Harm OCD at many bookstores and festivals, and in that time, I’ve seen just about every reaction from the giggles of those who don’t understand it to the tears of those who absolutely do. This time, there were no giggles, no weird faces, just a curious community eager to learn more.
Dr. Appel couldn’t have been kinder as we discussed mine and Finn’s journey through tormenting OCD and all the way through to the other side. He asked great questions about the book and helped the audience understand this neurological beast. The room monitor volunteers were calling for us to wrap up before we knew it. The time just flew by!
On the way out of the room, I told Dr. Appel how important it was to me to keep the discussion going anywhere I could because I was certain people have taken their lives over this, especially because of the violent intrusive thoughts that can make a person question their very soul. He replied that after what he’s seen in practice, he believed they absolutely had. And that’s why the discussion will continue anywhere I can open a dialogue.
For now, I am feeling a wealth of gratitude for caring professionals like Dr. Appel and people who might not understand but are showing up for the chance to learn. There’s a time to look around and be dazzled by the grace and good in the world, a time to give thanks for the space to share.
Thank you to Sharon Thomason of the Dahlonega Literary Festival for this wonderful opportunity!
Harm OCD: You Are Not Alone 