In Part One, we discussed the experience of “the gap” of OCD. You may feel irresponsible and be gripped with terror if you do not “close” this “gap.”   It is an internal crater between what is certain and what is not or between who you fear yourself to be and who you desire yourself to be or who you think God desires you to be. You feel responsible for having certain thoughts, images, doubts, or urges and feel responsible for understanding them and getting rid of them.  And maybe you have tried.  You’ve tried confessing, tried praying, maybe even tried researching for answers from Scripture, tried talking about it with others, maybe journaled, or even gone to counseling.  But you are beginning to feel stuck on a chronic loop.  And it’s one that others in your life—even those with the best intentions of being helpful, even in spiritual ways— are either helplessly riding along with you or unknowingly pulling you into or feeding into.

What of any of us has not experienced at one time or another, the feeling of being anxious about something?  I (Rachel) would invite you to be curious and let that normal human experience open up a relatable conversation about a specific kind of anxiety that you or someone you care about may be experiencing.   I have had my own (ongoing) 20 + year journey with a hidden condition and am also a counselor who now clinically treats others with this same condition.  I am both a sufferer and a helper passionate about addressing both groups as I share from my personal and professional experiences.  Out of my own journey with this hidden condition of OCD (and treatment with my own counselor) came the concept and experience of “the gap” and is a way that I often describe the condition of OCD, especially to those who may not be aware of this hidden condition (especially the kinds of OCD I speak about) or may have hesitancy around using the mental health diagnostic term of OCD.

Welcome (back) to the RLC blog- as it has been a while since I (Rachel) have written here, I wanted to give a brief overview of where we have been and where we are going with the hope that you will join along!  You have a story that is unique to you.  My hope and prayer is that as your story intersects with ours here at RLC –whether as a client, loved one, therapist, pastor, church staff, ministry leader, or other helper— you will be loved, seen, heard, and known as we help equip you with holistic mental health resources for yourself or someone you are serving.