Who remembers when a pregnant woman was accidentally served cleaning fluid at a McDonald’s, instead of the Latte that she ordered, in 2018?
According to The New York Times post about the incident, an employee switched the tubing of the milk supply line, to a cleaning solution while the woman’s Latte was being made. The woman began experiencing minor but concerning symptoms after taking a drink, and immediately recognized a cleaning product was in the drink. She was allowed to take a picture of the label on the chemical’s bottle which revealed possible side effects.
In nursing school, we were educated on the importance of recognizing hazardous labels, as well as proper responses to those who come in contact with dangerous chemicals. Knowing how to properly label hazardous solutions, as well as how to properly read hazardous solution labels, can help prevent life or death situations from occurring.
Knowing how to properly “label” O.C.D is equally as vital, and can be the deciding factor of whether a person is able to thrive throughout their day to day life, or not.
But how exactly does a person “label” their O.C.D.?
Learn Your Responses
One exercise in my O.C.D. specialized therapy, is pinpointing where in my body, or what area of my life, is being affected by my O.C.D. I’ve learned that my body responds with extreme anxiety, stress, depression, weight change, G.I. changes, sleep changes, and more. I’ve learned that when I see major changes in my spending, hygiene, relationships, social skills, and health, these are all signs of how I try to cope with what’s happening mentally due to my O.C.D.. This technique of learning my responses, helps me label certain behaviors and responses as “Effects of O.C.D.”.
Think back on the woman mentioned at the beginning of this post. According to the story, she immediately recognized that something wasn’t right with her drink based on the intense burning occurring in her mouth. She knew how a drink was suppose to feel and taste, and she knew that what she was experiencing was not normal.
In the same manner, it is important that someone who experiences obsessive thoughts or compulsions, learns their patterns, behaviors, and thought processes when they are stable, so they can better recognize if things are spiraling out of control while triggered.
Learn your body’s response to those intrusive images, trigger topics, uncomfortable experiences, compulsive behaviors, etc, and learn to address those responses instead of ignoring them.
Address Your Body’s Response
What if the woman mentioned above would have ignored the burning sensation in her mouth after taking that first drink of the cleaning solution in her “Latte”? Can you imagine the effects that could have had on not just her, but her unborn child?
When we try to ignore our physical responses or external behaviors brought on by O.C.D. , we are not only at risk of self destruction, but sabotaging important relationships in our lives. We must understand the importance of immediately recognizing one or multiple of our O.C.D. effects occurring, and take action.
As mentioned in previous posts, it is imperative to form a triggered response plan. For me, I chose the help of my therapist and a close friend who knows me inside and out. I formed a response plan for those moments when I feel debilitated by intrusive thoughts, images, or compulsive tendencies to lessen the anxiety or fear. My response plan includes activities that calm me, redirect my attention, keep my mind busy on things that are beneficial and productive, and help me move forward much quicker.
Call for Help
When the pregnant woman began feeling the effects of the cleaning product in her mouth, she immediately took action and called a poison control number. She knew that she needed someone who knew the potential danger of that cleaning product better than herself, and who could speak calmly to her on what steps to take to pursue health and safety of her and her unborn baby.
Calling on others for help the moment you begin feeling O.C.D. taking over your mind and ability to thrive throughout your day to day activities is so crucial. Choose a squad of people, including your therapist/counselor, who know what O.C.D. is capable of doing to you mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Be as descriptive as you can be on what effects of O.C.D. you are experiencing. Listen to their wisdom and advice, and put into action the counsel they give.
As always, I can only hope my vulnerability and the (little) insight that I am able to share through my own journey through living with O.C.D., will help at least one other person who might feel alone. If you could benefit from this blog, or know someone else who could, please subscribe and share. I dream of a healthier, more supportive, and understanding world. That change starts with me and you!
Obsessive. Compulsive. Disordered. 