You have no idea how much it means to me to find this post. I have ocpd and am on an intense healing journey after a manic episode and workaholicism burnout led me to a disassociation event that changed my entire life as i once knew it. I came to substack determined to share my experience and story to help other perfectionist--but when I typed ocpd into the search bar nothing came up on substack. I was terrified, am I truly that alone in this somewhat unknown misunderstood condition? There has to be others out there like me, right? The wonderful community and kind folks on here gave me the courage to persevere on and I do in hopes of shedding light on what ocpd is, truly looks like, the experience of perfectionism at this level. Sure there are posts about how to overcome perfectionist behavior on here but I can immediately tell the author speaks not from the lens of ocpd-- they all make it sound so easy to practice concepts like self love, compassion, and grace. Though I appreciate their advice and sentiment people like me can find so much overwhelm or misunderstanding on how to even try, we often are stuck from the paralysis of perfectionism. It made my heart shine that someone like you took the time to educate on my unique condition and experience. Means a profound amount to me. If you know of others looking to connect, send them to me, ive been waiting for them and have my own recovery journey lessons to share 🥰
Thank you for this incredibly moving and generous comment. Honestly, this is why I write—to connect with people exactly like you.
Your experience of searching for OCPD content and the feeling of being alone is the very reason I felt compelled to post the article. You are not alone, and I'm so glad this post helped you feel that.
You absolutely nailed the core issue: the profound difference between "overcoming perfectionist behavior" and healing from the "paralysis of perfectionism" that OCPD can cause. It's validating to hear you say that, because it's a theme I'm exploring deeply in my own creative work. I'm in the process of publishing my first novel, which centers on anger, and am now writing a spin-off that directly addresses many of the challenges we're discussing around OCPD.
It means so much to me that you're on a similar path of trying to shed light on this experience. I love your offer to connect with others and share your journey; that is such a generous and powerful goal. If you're comfortable, please feel free to share a link to your own Substack in these comments so others who find this article can find you directly. With your permission, I would also be happy to mention or link to your Substack in a future post to help others on this path find their way to you.
Thank you again. It takes immense courage to do what you're doing, and you're already lighting the way for others.
Wow, im having a profound morning reading your reply. After the few days Ive had, and insurance advocacy fight im about to start 😅 this brings me to tears. Lets please collaborate id love to do a guest piece with you. This is where anyone should start with my substack. Its a multimedia experience (per layout of post) literally retracing my discovery of ocpd, my mania in trying to save myself from it as I deteriorated up to the day I disassociated from burnout. Im using digital archives to retrace the days and thoughts so as to process what was a blur and make sure history does not repeat itself
You have no idea how much it means to me to find this post. I have ocpd and am on an intense healing journey after a manic episode and workaholicism burnout led me to a disassociation event that changed my entire life as i once knew it. I came to substack determined to share my experience and story to help other perfectionist--but when I typed ocpd into the search bar nothing came up on substack. I was terrified, am I truly that alone in this somewhat unknown misunderstood condition? There has to be others out there like me, right? The wonderful community and kind folks on here gave me the courage to persevere on and I do in hopes of shedding light on what ocpd is, truly looks like, the experience of perfectionism at this level. Sure there are posts about how to overcome perfectionist behavior on here but I can immediately tell the author speaks not from the lens of ocpd-- they all make it sound so easy to practice concepts like self love, compassion, and grace. Though I appreciate their advice and sentiment people like me can find so much overwhelm or misunderstanding on how to even try, we often are stuck from the paralysis of perfectionism. It made my heart shine that someone like you took the time to educate on my unique condition and experience. Means a profound amount to me. If you know of others looking to connect, send them to me, ive been waiting for them and have my own recovery journey lessons to share 🥰
Thank you for this incredibly moving and generous comment. Honestly, this is why I write—to connect with people exactly like you.
Your experience of searching for OCPD content and the feeling of being alone is the very reason I felt compelled to post the article. You are not alone, and I'm so glad this post helped you feel that.
You absolutely nailed the core issue: the profound difference between "overcoming perfectionist behavior" and healing from the "paralysis of perfectionism" that OCPD can cause. It's validating to hear you say that, because it's a theme I'm exploring deeply in my own creative work. I'm in the process of publishing my first novel, which centers on anger, and am now writing a spin-off that directly addresses many of the challenges we're discussing around OCPD.
It means so much to me that you're on a similar path of trying to shed light on this experience. I love your offer to connect with others and share your journey; that is such a generous and powerful goal. If you're comfortable, please feel free to share a link to your own Substack in these comments so others who find this article can find you directly. With your permission, I would also be happy to mention or link to your Substack in a future post to help others on this path find their way to you.
Thank you again. It takes immense courage to do what you're doing, and you're already lighting the way for others.
Wow, im having a profound morning reading your reply. After the few days Ive had, and insurance advocacy fight im about to start 😅 this brings me to tears. Lets please collaborate id love to do a guest piece with you. This is where anyone should start with my substack. Its a multimedia experience (per layout of post) literally retracing my discovery of ocpd, my mania in trying to save myself from it as I deteriorated up to the day I disassociated from burnout. Im using digital archives to retrace the days and thoughts so as to process what was a blur and make sure history does not repeat itself
https://towhowantsit.substack.com/p/start-here-how-to-read-this?r=637cme
I sent you a direct message