I'm feeling a bit down when reflecting how much time I've lost to OCD. I was housebound and stuck in compulsions for 4 years (age 18-22) and I feel as though I'm grieving. I'm doing much better nowadays compared to before but I'm still so sad this has been my life. I feel like I shouldn't complain considering I am doing a lot better, but when I see all my friends having their degrees already and having lived their early 20s happily I can't help but grief what I lost. Does anyone else feel this way too?

Gosh I love your energy! I also like that people with OCD always are so kind and supportive to one another, yet being our own best friend is so hard! Also about your situation, 100% valid to feel grief but don't think your best years are lost! You are very young and I can tell just by this text already you have a fighting spirit and you'll make it through!

Hi Chellie, I think that’s a totally normal feeling to have! I often felt the same way and compared myself to others my age who seemed like they had their whole life together while I was just striving to manage and keep my mental health in check. It took me two years longer to get my degree then my peers but I pressed on and it still felt just as great when I graduated from university. I learned that we all have our own paths and it’s okay if ours look different from someone else’s. I will also say that the term “four year degree” is a generalization so don’t let that discourage you! Whether it takes four years or ten years if it’s something you want then do it, even if it’s at your own pace :) there are no “check marks” we have to hit at a certain age so don’t stress If you don’t have it all together yet! Hang in there

Thank you so much for the kind words :) It's kinda nice to know I'm not alone in this, as OCD can feel so lonely at times! This app is a good reminder that we're not

Ocd can definitely feel lonely but you are so right we most certainly are not alone. Hang in there, you’ve got this!!

OH MY GOODNESS. I was literally about to post something extremely similar. I’ve been housebound for 2.5 years (15-17) and I’m so discouraged about how the last couple years of my childhood are turning out. All my friends have graduated high school and know how to drive and I’m... not. I’m so behind in life. I feel super discouraged and I grieve the years of my life lost. My life is passing me by. I’m still struggling to apply ERP and I don’t know when I’m going to be better — I don’t want to be dealing with OCD when I graduate with my other peers next year. 😭 I’ve already lost extracurricular classes and proms and homecomings. By the time I’m done with OCD, I’ll be too old to be a kid and take classes and live a childhood like I wanted. I think it’ll be all gone. 😔 But the fact you’re doing better is AMAZING, and four years compared to the rest of your life and your potential is just a blip on the radar. If you’re doing better, go conquer your life again and make the most out of it you can, even with a few years gone. Brighter days are always ahead because you choose to make them. 💖 I’m extremely discouraged right now too but I know I’m a winner and I WILL NOT have a victim mentality. If years of my life are lost, I can’t change that. I can still succeed and chase after my dreams and inspire others who have lost years of their life. We CAN overcome and rise up from the ashes with a victory mentality. We aren’t defeated just because we had to fight a battle! God is for us!

I feel this so much, except the feeling better part because I’ve been at rock bottom for 6 months