With leading ever busy lives, many people are interested in learning better organizational tips or working with a professional organizer to become more relaxed and productive in their daily lives. But what if you suffer from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)? How might your daily life and routines be affected by all life throws at you?
- Courtesy of DreamWalk Therapies Derek Soto
According to a recent study by the International OCD Foundation, 1 in 100 – or between 2 to 3 million – adults in America suffer from OCD. This is roughly the same number of people who live in Houston, TX. In addition, there are at least 1 in 200 or 500,000 children and youth that have OCD; the same number of kids who have diabetes.
Just last week I touched base with one of my clients who suffers from OCD. She and her psychiatrist, who she has been seeing for years, have been so impressed with the results she is achieving from working with me that the psychiatrist has begun referring me to other clients. My professional organizing services have been a positive compliment to the therapy the psychiatrist is providing. What a wonderful feeling – times 2!
Here are some of the effects of OCD on my client and how we have worked together to help make positive changes in her life:
*OCD had affected my client’s life so severely that she was having the same nightmare every night about all of her “stuff”.
*Together we created a “think about it box”. This allowed her not to feel pressured and gave her a little more time before making a final decision about her items.
*By being patient, friendly, and non-judgmental when working together, my client was able to feel relaxed working on the same task that previously had been so anxiety ridden for her.
*At the end of our session together, we loaded up my car and I took things to the donation site for her. This was a real pivotal point for my client to actually have the items taken away and no longer just sitting there. She felt so unburdened when we were done.
