{"id":2367,"date":"2013-05-03T07:30:23","date_gmt":"2013-05-03T11:30:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/njcts.org\/tsparents\/?p=2367"},"modified":"2013-05-03T07:30:23","modified_gmt":"2013-05-03T11:30:23","slug":"conditional-corner-a-collection-of-fiction-poetry-and-artwork-about-ocd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/njcts.org\/tsparents\/conditional-corner-a-collection-of-fiction-poetry-and-artwork-about-ocd\/","title":{"rendered":"Conditional Corner: A collection of fiction, poetry and artwork about OCD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Conditional Corner is a series that runs Fridays on TSParentsOnline. All stories, including this excerpt from a compilation called Check Mates, were originally published at Conditional Publications<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Check Mates is an original collection of fiction and poetry written about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) by the people who know best \u2013 Obsessive-Compulsives. Split between realism and stories of the beyond, there is a diverse range of styles and genres, and a mix of rage, frustration, tears, violence, pain, heartache, subversion, love, strength, metaphysics, philosophy, friendship, hope, and even a bit of humor.\u00a0And maybe \u2013 just maybe \u2013 it will knock away a few stereotypes.<\/p>\n

\"checkmateshomepageimage2red2\"<\/a>The following is a poem called “Imagine” that was written by a girl named Kristin from New Jersey who was 15 when she penned it. She says her religion is what gets her through the tough times. She is also the youngest contributor in “Check Mates” and provides a glimpse of just how much OCD can hurt at such an early age.<\/p>\n

If, after reading this sample, you are interested in finding out more about Check Mates, other samples are available here<\/strong><\/a>, or you can purchase it at Amazon.com<\/strong><\/a>. We hope you enjoy the poem “Imagine!”<\/p>\n

Imagine getting dressed in the morning
\nThen realizing you did it “wrong,”
\nAnd that you have to take off your clothes
\nAnd start over
\nAnd over
\nAnd over again …<\/p>\n

Imagine having to tap your foot in a 16-beat pattern
\nWhile other people watch, half amused, half freaked out.
\nImagine being forced to keep it going for hours
\nAnd hours
\nAnd even more hours …<\/p>\n

Imagine becoming “stuck” in front of a mirror,
\nStaring at imperfections that no other human would notice,
\nUnable to move as the minutes tick by
\nAnd by
\nAnd by …<\/p>\n

Imagine being fired from work
\nBecause of all these things you do —
\nImagine being alienated from people around you
\nBecause everyone things you’re “weird” —<\/p>\n

Imagine dealing with this monstrous OCD until you die
\nUntil you die
\nUntil you die.<\/p>\n

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