NOCD

User type: Staff

Date posted: 2y

After developing OCD as an adult, she had to quit her job. This treatment saved her life.

“I was so exhausted," says Shamika Williams. "The only comfort that I found was to go to sleep. That was the only escape from my thoughts.” When nurse Shamika heard about her coworker being stuck with a needle, her life changed forever. She became consumed by OCD. Contamination fears led her to avoid blood and throw away her clothes and shoes. “(The) thoughts for me were so overwhelming that I couldn’t put those shoes back on,” she says. “I literally had a bag of scrubs, and I would put my scrubs in that bag. I would throw them away.” Eventually, OCD caused her to quit her job. She fell into depression and thought she might never get better. But once Shamika found NOCD and started ERP, she found hope again. Soon she got her life back, after more than a decade of suffering. Thanks to the Today Show for sharing the inspirational story of NOCD member Shamika Williams! Read the full article at https://on.today.com/3Y1uRgK

After developing OCD as an adult, she had to quit her job. This treatment saved her life

When Shamika Williams' coworker was stuck with a needle, the nurse started fearing possible contamination. The steps she took to stay safe overtook her life.

on.today.com

Peppermint22

Date posted: 2y

I developed OCD in my 30’s so it feels good to know I’m not alone

Shannis

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Peppermint22 Same here. I was diagnosed at 33.

Peppermint22

Date posted: 2y

@Shannis Do you think it’s hereditary or comes from life trauma? I am trying to figure out why after all this time it’s developed smh. So frustrating when you just want your brain to go back the way it used to be. I used to be so happy!!! Nothing could steal my joy.

Shannis

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Peppermint22 For me it was life trauma. I’ve always been an anxious person even as a child. I guess over the years it morphed into OCD, but I’ve been able to live a normal, very happy life as an adult up until I was diagnosed. I miss the old me too! But I’m trying to be self-compassionate.

Peppermint22

Date posted: 2y

@Shannis Yes we need to show ourselves compassion and grace

Realeventocd...

Date posted: 2y

@Peppermint22 28 here.

MichaelMunton

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Peppermint22 I think it could be both. I think OCD runs on my moms side, but it got very hard to manage after some trauma in my 20s. I’ve been doing therapy for about 6 years, but got diagnosed with OCD at 30. ERP is making a huge difference

Jesse M.

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

Me too! It developed and I was diagnosed at 37.

⋆⁺₊⋆anomaly⋆⁺₊⋆

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

As a nurse myself this gives me much hope.

Anonymous

Date posted: 2y

@hi.im.mol Same, I was wondering if she was able to go back to being a nurse. I'm a nurse too. I didn't see in the article if she went back to nursing or not. I left nursing but hope to go back one day

⋆⁺₊⋆anomaly⋆⁺₊⋆

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Anonymous I’m no longer inpatient/home care, i work remotely from my home. I hope you do what works best for you, and if getting back into nursing is I do wish you the best of luck 😄

DisneyAdult128

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

I was just diagnosed now at 30! So appreciate this story.

ascustis

Date posted: 2y

I’m 37 and was just diagnosed as well, but I lost my job before diagnosis. Now I’m in a funk I can’t get out of with no insurance to receive care. Despair is putting it lightly, I don’t know where to turn or what to do.

brittanyljoh...

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@ascustis Turn to god. He will carry you through this!!! I’m a witness. I’m was at the same spot and things are turning around for me.

Beebee7

Date posted: 2y

@brittanyljohnson Me too-ish… I didn’t lose my job but I called on The Lord and He delivered me… I still talked with the coach/ therapist and did my erp but ocd left like it was scared for its life. 😃

Jesse M.

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

♥️ there are some amazing self help books out there, lmk if you want recommendations. Do you have a person in your life who is interested in understanding OCD better?

gracefull

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

thank you for sharing this ❤️

EduKate

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

I’ve struggled with OCD since I was 14. I’m 39 now. The discomfort is real. But this gives me hope over fear!

Beebee7

Date posted: 2y

@Kalexander There is definitely hope!

EduKate

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Beebee7 Thank you for those words! Really!!!

Anonymous

Date posted: 2y

I am a nurse too and my contamination OCD started during Covid when I was working in the Emergency room… I am still a nurse but I changed jobs which has eased the fear but it’s still there …. I just started ERP therapy so I’m praying this works! … I even started a freelance photography business as I love to take pictures and it makes me feel good and also it’s my plan B if I need to leave nursing all together 😅 I am praying ERP works because I like where I work now as a nurse but that OCD is so real && it’s so draining!

brittanyljoh...

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

❤️

Beebee7

Date posted: 2y

Love it I so glad for you! Thank you for sharing.

Ellorne

Date posted: 2y

so proud of you!!!

cherifabh

Date posted: 2y

Any recommendations for a psychiatric specialised in ocd in regards of medication ( in the Bay Area) Tha

Jesse M.

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

I'm in the bay and been working with Kaiser. They got me on meds and hooked up with NoCD

Anonymous

Date posted: 2y

Great read!

Anonymous

Date posted: 2y

May I asked what kind of job you switched to and how long you have been doing it?

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