An Unquiet Mind

Description

Many people assume obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) revolves around excessive hand-washing, perfectionism, and flipping light switches. This simplified description barely skims the surface of this disorder. An Unquiet Mind sheds light on a sinister side of OCD that many sufferers are too afraid to speak about. Natasha is a joyful, humorous, and lively woman who lives in San Diego. Behind her carefree persona, Natasha struggles day-to-day with OCD. Her obsessions do not revolve around germs or light switches, however. Her obsessions manifest as intrusive, unwanted thoughts about physically and sexually harming her loved ones – specifically her children. Natasha struggled deeply with Post-partum OCD after becoming a new mother, and still occasionally struggles with Pedophilia OCD. Vinay works for the Center for Popular Democracy in Brooklyn, specializing in health-care advocacy. Shortly after September 11, 2001, Vinay’s OCD was triggered. He started visualizing startling images of death everywhere. Overtime, these violent images turned into him harming other people. He deeply feared himself and questioned his belonging in the world. Vinay became suicidal, and was eventually hospitalized. Vinay struggles with Harm OCD.