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Anxiety is the hand maiden of creativity
T.S.
Eliot
This web site concerns mainly psychological disorders of an
obsessive-compulsive nature in particular obsessive-compulsive
disorder
OCD,
obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders
OCSD
and
anorexia nervosa*.There is also a section concerning other
related anxiety disorders such as phobias, panic disorder and so
on. Why these illnesses? I suffer from OCD, and
my late sister suffered from anorexia nervosa, along with
agoraphobia, hypochondriasis and panic disorder. Both my sister and I
have led very difficult lives due to our respective illnesses
and our potential or otherwise has been greatly affected by
these life-consuming maladies. Often one tends to dwell on the
negative aspects of ones life, especially if incapacitated by
inhibiting illness such as those mentioned above or indeed any
other mental illness. The focus tends to centre upon the illness
and what one cannot do because of this affliction. Therefore in
addition to the explanation of the nature of these conditions
this site focuses on what sufferers can do rather than what they
cannot do. It centres on achievements attained despite
unbelievable odds rather than all the failures or frustrations
that beset sufferers. By comparison to normal standards these may
not appear to be that significant however for those who suffer
with these and similar maladies such achievements do not come
easily, they are won with
determination to overcome crippling odds, whilst in a continuous
battle with ones mind, a mind seemingly hell bent on its own
destruction.
The purpose of this site is
to display the artwork, crafts, literary and indeed any
other creative accomplishments of anyone afflicted by the
above condtions or indeed any mental health disorder.
Also sufferers are invited to share their experiences and
perspectives concerning his or her particular illness. By
sharing experiences and accomplishments this web site has the
purpose of alleviating the feelings of worthlessness, loneliness
and isolation often experienced by sufferers of these disorders,
as they are met with a lack of understanding from mainstream
society.
This web site is intended to encourage sufferers to feel less
alone by sharing experiences and creative accomplishments. This
is not a
medical site, I have no medical qualifications. I am not a
mental health professional. This web site represents my own
perspective, some of which may not necessarily agree with
current medical practice. Consult a doctor or mental health
professional for treatment and never discontinue treatment
prescribed by your doctor or mental health professional without
prior consultation. Also note that I do
not
endorse or recommend any of the complimentary treatments
mentioned in my book:
Demons of the Mind: A Memoir of
an Obsessive-Compulsive.
My personal recommendations concerning complimentary medicine of
any kind is to never undertake any treatment without consulting
your doctor first and never replace treatment or supplement
medication prescribed by your doctor with complimentary medicine
without prior consultation with him or her. This is
particularly important with homeopathic and herbal medicine as
such treatments can have serious and dangerous interactions with
orthodox medications.
*
There is some difference of opinion concerning the
classification of certain illness under the category of OCSDs,
therefore I will include only those
disorders that are generally understood as OCSDs and with which
most people are familiar. OCSDs included on this web site are: trichotillomania, Tourett’s syndrome, hypochondriasis, compulsive
skin pricking CSP and body dysmorphic disorder BDD.
Others may be included in due course. Eating disorders such as
anorexia nervosa are sometimes included amongst OCSDs but for
the purposes of this web site and my uncertainty concerning this
classification I have included anorexia nervosa separately.
However in my opinion anorexia nervosa most certainly fits the
category of an OCSD.
Constructive criticism will be welcomed concerning accuracy of
information.
Comments on any aspect of OCD, OCSDs, Anorexia Nervosa and
other anxiety disorders included on this web site or any aspect of this web site are also welcome.
Contributions from sufferers of any psychological disorder are
invited including autobiographies, photographs of artwork and
crafts, stories, poetry and any other literary contribution.
Copyright and Disclaimer.
Also I would appreciate it if
anyone noticing inactive links or any other problems would kindly
let me know. Also I have only been able to test this web site
using Internet Explorer, if there are problems with Netscape or
any other browser please let me know and I will do my best to
rectify the problem.
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