”I have OCD, and my long standing symptoms have been strongly exacerbated by the pandemic. It’s more difficult now than ever to break out of patterns of obsessive, anxious thoughts. I’ve never really liked leaving my apartment even before the pandemic, but now it’s even harder to get myself to leave the safety of my home. I have regular nightmares about being outside when a crowd magically materializes and it is impossible to stay 6 feet apart from others. I’m worried that once the pandemic is over, it will be difficult for me to ‘re-emerge’ into society, as I’ve fallen back into my hermit-like comfort zone. I’m challenging myself to undertake exposures every day. Teletherapy has helped–my therapist will stay on the phone with me while I go outside to do an exposure like take out the trash. I know I’ll get through this, but it takes a lot of time, effort and self-compassion.”
