because I was too anxious. In fourth grade, I spent one hundred and twenty arduous days
eating only dried cereal for lunch. In sixth grade, I wouldn’t even eat at school. In seventh
grade, I was afraid to go to school and needed my mom to stand outside the classroom. By
eighth grade, just thinking about being at school made me so nervous that when I went, I
always wore my hood up.
No one seemed to be able to help me, although they tried to lend support by rationalizing my
thoughts. “Everyone feels anxious at times”, they would say. “It’s normal to feel frustrated at
times. Maybe it’s shyness? Maybe it’s moodiness? Maybe it’s puberty? Maybe it’s stress?
Maybe it’s just a teenage stage? Maybe it will be over soon?”
But it wasn’t. I learned that it was OCD. I don’t want anyone to feel as lost and alone as I did
and so that is why I am raising money to support the International OCD Foundation. I want to
help others who have OCD as well as help to educate those who don’t know about this
disorder. In order to do this, I came up with the idea to put together a book called OCD to Me:
An Anthology of Anxieties.
OCD is a short acronym for something that is so broad and affects so many, and I want to
provide a platform for people’s unique stories to be heard. I believe that if people could read a
collection of first-hand accounts, and understand how diverse as well as debilitating OCD can
be, then maybe we can change the image of OCD, and the belief that mental illness only affects
certain kinds of people — because it affects all of us, at one point or another, directly or
indirectly. I never want anyone else to have to feel isolated like I did.
This is the story I have shared with you and I invite all of you to help me create OCD to Me: An
Anthology of Anxieties by sharing your story. All you have to do is answer the four-question
anonymous survey I created by visiting the link below. You may choose to include your name or to remain anonymous. I will then edit the responses for clarity and publish them in the
book. By capturing each person’s experience with OCD, this book will give hope to those who
struggle as well as inform and educate those who want to learn more.
I also believe fundraising for the International OCD Organization (IOCDF) is a perfect way to
start changing misconceptions about OCD. All proceeds from the sale of OCD to Me: An
Anthology of Anxieties will be donated to the IOCDF in order to help to broaden awareness and
provide support to the OCD and related disorders community. Let’s find our way. Together.
Find the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/8XK6SBC
P.S. Here are a few fun facts regarding my survey:
It is for a really great cause — remember, just a few minutes of your time will support IOCDF
and help others who have OCD as well as those who want to learn more about OCD!
It takes on average 6 minutes to complete the survey — that is how long it takes to get a cup of
good coffee!
The survey is completely anonymous!
We need a minimum of 50 responses to make the book, so if we got five people to complete
the survey every day it would take less than ten days to complete!
Thank you.
Ryan Bernstein is a 17-year- old high school student.
