What do you do for a living? If you do work, or maybe just go to school? How’s your OCD when at work or school? Just another fun topic if you wanna share.

I’m a teenager in high school with a part time job. I have depression along with ocd but I’ve been feeling good lately

I’ve had OCD for about 18 years now, always maintained a full time job and been able to support myself and get by. Recently made the difficult decision to reach out and try medication. I’ve always been told “well, your ocd can’t be that bad,” by doctors, family, etc. That’s been a huge reason for not seeking more medical help, the shame of admitting that actually I’m pretty damn miserable and have been in a constant state of distress and anxiety to varying degrees for my whole life. I think it’s easy to get wrapped up in thinking your ocd “isn’t that bad” because you’re able to maintain some normalcy in your day to day life, but I’m starting to realize I don’t want to just “get by” I wanna actually enjoy life and be free from this bullshit that is ocd.

Honestly hard, its hard on me where I work at a little retail store and I'm scared to get a bigger job

I’m unemployed and recently graduated from graduate school with my masters. I’m looking for work (hopefully remote due to covid) but now just living at home with my parents and brother. When my OCD onset first started it was basically impossible for me to do any work. I had to even completely skip a paper because I was at such a elevated state of fear that I couldn’t focus on anything else. As time went by and started doing therapy, I noticed that once I was involved in my work I wouldn’t even think about my OCD and the thoughts would be at bay until I finished so I liked that! I also briefly worked retail (like a week or less) and while I was at work I was completely fine mentally, no intrusive thoughts or fear of them whatsoever, and as soon as I clocked out and walked out the building they would start showing up lol

Hello! I’m a self-employed residential cleaner. It’s rough, tbh. I worry about contaminating others, being dishonest, and imperfection, and confront those issues at work several times a day. I’ve had other jobs and have struggled similarly with those. It’s good to know much of the problem lies internally and not externally—at least gives me a direction to fight in ?

I’m a designer and have been for about 15 years. I’ve always had OCD, but I’ve also always maintained a job. Before doing ERP each day was just a matter of survival, I had little joy and happiness. My job is detail-oriented, so I’ve found if I can get my concentration into a project, working is usually helpful. Sometimes that’s impossible though.

That’s awesome! And a fitting name for your app ID. Also sounds like you put any residual OC tendencies to work for, rather than against you in that position. I’ve felt so lucky that throughout Covid and quarantines we’ve had our pup with us to keep us going outside (while respecting safe distances, etc.). If it weren’t for allergic reactions to bug bites I’d just stay outside all day and night. Thanks for sharing an inspiring story!

I almost got a job before Covid hit and closed the art gallery where I was going to teach, so now I’m just making masks and looking out for things to open up. OCD doesn’t usually hurt me when I have worked, but it was terrible for school.

@outdoorman what about you? If you wanna share.