Hurted Self

You might not have heard of Trichotillomania but it is only one of many coping methods used by those with Obsessive Compulsive disorder.

I definitely am not an expert in this but OCD is defined as a mental disorder where intrusive thoughts produce anxiety and then repetitive behaviors by which the sufferer hopes to reduce that anxiety. To the bystander, it looks and sounds like a circular behavior that gets you nowhere.

Before you judge too harshly, note that other OCD sufferers use ‘normal’ things like shopping, hoarding, eating,  gambling, severe hand washing, sex, and more.

http://hope4ocd.com/checklist.php gives a check list of the signs of OCD. You might be surprised to find yourself there. Here are some you might see around you every day.

Irrational fears that some foods are bad or must be avoided, obsessions about one’s body; the inability to discard anything, repeating routine activities for no logical reason, accumulating useless objects and excessive list making.

How do you hurt yourself? It may not be as visible as the hair pulling folks, but anything that intruded badly into our normal life is not normal. Let’s pray and ask God for help.

The prayer was no sooner prayed than it was answered. Jesus called twelve of his followers and sent them into the ripe fields. He gave them power to kick out the evil spirits and to tenderly care for the bruised and hurt lives. (Matthew 10:1, MSG)

Prayer- Father God, help us overcome any rituals that do not lead to you and your grace for us. In Christ’s name. Amen.