OCD and Me: Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

I am the CEO of the Norfolk and Norwich SEND Association (Nansa) and co-creator of the Visible Festival. One of my personal ambitions for the festival has been to see Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) given a dedicated platform for discussion and understanding. OCD is widely misunderstood and can manifest in many different ways. While often seen as a standalone neurodivergent diagnosis, it is important to recognise its significant presence within the wider neurodivergent community.

I have lived with OCD for as long as I can remember, receiving a formal diagnosis at the age of 12, alongside PTSD and suspected ADHD. My experience of OCD, like everyone’s, is unique. For some, it can be profoundly debilitating; for me, it has been both a challenge and a constant companion at various points in my life.

OCD is part of who I am – the good, the bad, and the difficult. By sharing my lived experience, I hope to contribute to greater understanding, and to help break down the stigma and shame associated with sharing such experiences.

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