My OCD Musings: Medication

As I enjoy a little walk in the countryside today I wonder something that I often think about from time to time. I don't spend hours thinking about it or worrying, but just reflecting on it. The subject is 'Medication' and especially "Has it changed me?".

I don't refer to the obvious benefits it's given me in terms of helping with OCD but instead to am I any different mentally, away from OCD because of it? Is my behaviour and personality different because of the medication? It's hard to really know. Certainly my mind is a lot clearer and free because of the medication, but alas, of course, I'm far from free of OCD. Simply my mind is able to respond to my own specific instructions. i.e. "don't think about that. Do something else." It's not 100% on that but certainly substantially better than without the medication. Anyhow, it's not OCD that I want to talk about here, but my personality.

These days I pretty carefree generally. I'm an introvert, but also quite jovial in other people's company. Most probably believe me some sort of party animal perhaps but my personality has been designed by myself over time. I find that humour helps so I overplay it to aide myself and also others. What goes around, goes around .. because if someone else smiles because of something I see or the way I act, then they are likely to cheer me as well. It makes sense. However, is the way I'm thinking in terms of a non-OCD level the real me, or tailored by the medication? I can't put it into any real examples because my life has changed over the years with OCD. I learnt ways to behave differently in order to cope. I'm not the same person regardless of the medication. It's hard to say if I am or am not different solely because of the medication. I'm unsure if it's possible to conclusive put down any low, high, moody, ill periods as being due to the medication or OCD or mental health or just the way things go.

What I can be sure about is that I'm 'happy' with the way I think these days. We all have advantages and disadvantages to our personality, thoughts and feelings. It's no different to me than to anyone else. I am who I am, and that's enough.

Disclaimer: As with any post here, if you have any concerns about your health or medication, please see a doctor. Honestly, they are the best people for that.

In the beginning ...

Well, I've created my blog and now have to decide excactly what I'll be posting although I'm thinking I'll do some posts about my OCD history and my OCD now. Probably even OCD future.

I'll also probably post random mental health related subjects to do with the human mind as things come to me. Each post will probably be short, although I do have some content already written that I was thinking about making into an e-book, but have decided a blog is a better place as it's free and also probably easier for my random thoughts!

I might do "Ask OCD Guy UK" if anyone ever wants to ask me a question (I may not answer certain questions - I reserve that right) although you can also tweet me such questions @OCD_Guy_UK of course anyways.