It’s a condition that affects 1–2% of the population, but it’s often misunderstood. So what is it like to live with obsessive compulsive disorder? One man shares his story of acceptance and advocacy

When we hear the word OCD, many images come to mind: cleanliness, symmetry. Maybe even something comical – “I am so OCD.”

But for those living with OCD, it is the opposite of comical. I use the word ‘living’ and not ‘suffering’, as language is very important. ‘Suffering’ infers a constant state of negativity, trying to survive, whereas ‘living’ suggests a harmony. I live with OCD. So, let me tell you how I remain happy with its existence in my everyday life.

I received my OCD diagnosis on Saturday 4 June, at 27 years old. According to OCDaction, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety condition that causes someone to become stuck in a cycle of distressing obsessions and compulsions. And it’s much more common than originally thought, with estimates of those with the condition suggesting between 1–2% of the population have OCD. That’s anywhere between 600,000 and just over one million people.

Even so, OCD is often trivialised, not helped by TV shows like Obsessive-Compulsive Cleaners. First airing in 2013, in this portrayal OCD was shown to be almost desirable. That couldn’t be more wrong. Additionally, the numbers (given by OCD UK) show that “only 26.5% of people with it actually have cleaning compulsions”. Throwaway comments of willful ignorance about OCD perpetuate misconceptions, and do not reflect the torture it can, at times, create.

OCD popped up in my life around three years ago in the form of a sexually intrusive thought, triggered by being given chlamydia three times by people I dated and trusted. Thoughts like “You still have chlamydia,” “You must have HIV,” and “I need to go to the sexual health clinic,” ran through my mind like a never-ending marathon. Whenever I tried to remove the thought, like the Whac-A-Mole game, it kept popping up. OCD migrated to obsessional thoughts of sexual assault, with the intrusive thought of “rape” popping into my head constantly. Due to these thoughts, I incessantly and illogically believed that I was a rapist. My intrusive thoughts then moved to suicide.

As you would expect, depression hit me like a freight train. Why was I having such detestable thoughts? Thoughts so against who I was as a person?

I was unaware that sexually intrusive thoughts were a part of OCD. But now, since learning that OCD manifests itself through thoughts, urges, and images, I am able to differentiate between my own thoughts and OCD thoughts. It has been a relief. OCD remains a part of my life, but it is not all Shaun Flores is.

People often talk about triggers, what about glimmers? Glimmers are those positive moments that change our pain, turning it into something heartwarming. The glimmers for me are the things I took for granted. OCD taught me to live every day and to stop simply existing. My first glimmer was when I contacted Emma Ga

Sharing my experience with breast thermography on the podcast today! Friendly reminder that I’m not a doctor or medical provider, just sharing my experience. 

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a wonderful morning. I have a new podcast episode up sharing my experience with breast thermography. It’s something I did recently as another way to track and see what’s going on with inflammation in my body. I’m excited to share the process and my results with you, and some changes I made in my routine that have made a huge difference.

My experience with breast thermography

So what is breast thermography?

Breast thermography is infrared imaging of the breasts, using a special camera. The camera detects heat within the body, which can represent increased blood flow to particular areas. Cancer cells demand higher blood flow, so you can monitor increased potential blood flow and heat. Hippocrates used to place wet mud on the skin of his patients, and the areas that dried the fastest indicated higher heat, which he used to determine areas of disease (I thought this was so interesting!).

Breast thermography is not intended to be a standalone test, but something you can do in conjunction with traditional screening measures, like self exams, mammography, ultrasounds, and MRI. I would absolutely follow the discretion of your doctor based on your unique body and family history.

We have a family history of breast cancer on my side of the family, and in the past, I had a benign intraductal papilloma removed. I’ve also had breast implants, and had my implants removed, which is one of the best things I’ve done for my health.

I’ve wanted to keep an eye on things, and when I first found out about thermography, I was intrigued, particularly because it’s non-invasive. It doesn’t involve radiation, takes less than 10 minutes, and it’s another way to monitor changes over time.

Here’s what the official documents say about the procedure:

This patient was examined with digital infrared thermal imaging to identify thermal findings which may suggest abnormal physiology.

Thermography is a physiologic test, which demonstrates thermal patterns in skin temperature that may be normal orwhich may indicate disease or other abnormality.If abnormal heat patterns are identified relating to a specific region of interest or function, clinical correlation and further investigation may be necessary to assist your health care provider in diagnosis and treatment.

Thermal imaging is an adjunctive test, which contributes to the process of differential diagnosis, and is notindependently diagnostic of pathology. Breast thermography (if this study includes breast) is a way of monitoring breast health over time.Every woman has a unique thermal pattern tha

Grab a blanket and your gaming console of choice, and let’s settle into the wonderful world of cosy gaming

During the first lockdown of 2020 I made an excellent decision; to purchase The Sims 4. I’ve always been a fan of The Sims, a game where you create ‘Sims’, build houses and help them pursue their aspirations, but I hadn’t played since I was a teenager. Lockdown presented an opportunity to pick up this hobby and I haven’t looked back.

It seems I am not alone here. The Sims is considered a ‘cosy game’ and while the term ‘cosy gaming’ has been around for a while, it strolled into the mainstream during the pandemic – remember when everyone from actor Elija Wood to US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was playing Animal Crossing?

While the initial uncertainty and panic from those times has somewhat settled, new worries and uncertainties seem to fill its place. So it’s no surprise more of us are seeking different avenues to relieve stress.

What is cosy gaming?

A cosy game generally means there are no high stakes or difficult challenges. The aim of the game is to, quite simply, have fun.

“The atmosphere, the music, the visuals and the gameplay make a game cosy.” Video game artist Dan Francis explains.

“A lot of cosy games are focused around small towns or farms, generally with a lot of nature around and a small but welcoming group of characters to interact with. The calming music along with the sounds of chirping birds and crickets, all whilst surrounded by a beautiful natural environment can feel very relaxing.”

Those who embed themselves into this genre of gaming often set themselves up in a cosy setting, lowering the lighting and pulling up a blanket for maximum comfort – mentally and physically.

Which games make us feel the most relaxed?

Looking into which games make players feel the most relaxed, TheSlotBuzz.com took to Reddit to analyse the percentage of gaming comments containing swear words to understand which games generate the least anger from players.

The top spot goes to Minecraft, with just 1.55% of Reddit comments including swearing. Minecraft is one of the most successful games ever and some counsellors are even using it therapeutically with young people.

“Minecraft is a vast and creative space and I, along with a number of other therapists, have been developing ways to provide boundaries and structure within the session. That way, it offers children a safe place to make sense of their feelings and difficulties, while also making good use of the game’s amazing resources and opportunities for adventure and discovery.” Counsellor Ellie Finch explains in her article

Roasted sweet potatoes, browned and slightly caramelized on the edges, are tossed with spicy hot sausage and handfuls of baby spinach to create a flavorful Sausage Sweet Potato Hash.

Sweet Potato Sausage Hash

The key to a great hash is getting all of the ingredients cooked and ready to eat at the same time. You’ll need to start the potatoes first and prep the other ingredients while they’re roasting.

When they’re almost done, you’ll cook and crumble the sausage. Then cook the onion and bell pepper in the same skillet. Pull that from the heat, add the sausage and roasted potatoes back to the pan, and give it a stir.

Toss in the greens and stir for a minute or so, just long enough to wilt them. If you want to serve this topped with an egg, just loosely cover the skillet while you cook the eggs.

The first time I made this, the potatoes roasted while I napped on the couch and when the timer beeped, I pulled together the rest of the meal in less than 20 minutes. I love quick and simple meals on a lazy Sunday night.

Going back to the first time I made this hash recipe, I actually used beet greens in place of spinach. (Most of the breakfast hash recipes here are made with spinach or cabbage.)

If you’re lucky enough to have an active garden and an abundance of beets growing, give it a try. Unlike their fully-grown counterparts, baby beet greens look and taste very similar to baby spinach.

(I don’t recommend trying this with fully-grown beet greens. For what it’s worth, I often find them to be woody and bitter.)

We all enjoyed this meal (my three kids included!) The beet greens tasted so much like the spinach we love; I could easily see eating the entire garden’s worth of baby beet greens before any beets have a chance to appear.

If you don’t happen to have an abundance of baby beet greens on hand, I’ve made this many times with baby spinach and we enjoy it both ways.

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