Theresa
Theresa
I feared what other people would think
Secrets can hold immense power. By shedding light on a secret, by speaking it aloud, that power can be dissolved even though it seemed immovable before.
By the time Theresa was seven years old, she was experiencing the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). But she kept her condition a secret, and that secret claimed tremendous power over her life.
Many days were consumed with intrusive thoughts. I spent a long time thinking I was crazy.
In her twenties, Theresa also developed an eating disorder and became depressed. Although Theresa knew she needed help, she was reluctant to seek treatment. Self-stigma held her back.
I couldn’t live with my eating disorder anymore, but I also couldn’t believe I needed therapy. I was in fear of what other people would think.
Fortunately for Theresa, those close to her pushed hard for her to fight the stigma and reach out for help.
A close friend at work and my older sister kept encouraging me to seek therapy. It took a while to even consider therapy, but they kept pushing, and I finally went.
Then, it took years to consider different therapies or medication.
“On my first day at McLean, I knew this was the moment to wave my white flag. I disclosed my intrusive thoughts that had been with me in one form or another for 20 years, since the age of seven. That day was a gift and started my road towards freedom.”
Theresa credits her loved ones for helping her through her tough times. But not everyone was ready to support her right away.
There were a few doubters, and it was hard for some of them to understand and believe I had an eating disorder and OCD. Still, most have been very supportive.
Building on this support, Theresa committed to treatment. This included taking time off from her job to get help at McLean Hospital. It was there that she finally shared her deepest secrets.
On my first day at McLean, I knew this was the moment to wave my white flag. I disclosed my intrusive thoughts that had been with me in one form or another for 20 years, since the age of seven. That day was a gift and started my road towards freedom.
These days, Theresa lives a full life, and her conditions are well managed. She enjoys the personal growth she gains from therapy and believes she will continue to go for the rest of her life.
Effective treatment, including therapy, medication, and daily meditation, empowers her to be a wife and a mom to three kids and to run a parent coaching and educational consultation business.
She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, playing tennis, painting, watching her favorite shows, and taking part in a women’s public speaking group.
With therapy and support, Theresa has taken the power away from unnecessary secrets and reclaimed it for herself.
I’m living a vibrant life. In a way, my OCD is my superpower—I’ve learned that for me, it is the flip side of being a highly sensitive person. My sensitivity, and therefore my OCD, are a gift.
