OCD Letter from Able

by Evander Lomke on February 6, 2011 9:58 am

An anonymous letter to the editor appears in the current (February 2011) issue of N.Y. Able Newspaper, “The Newspaper Positively For, By & About The Disabled,” which cuts to the heart of AMHF and its work.

“Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects six million Americans, two percent of the population. Sadly, OCD is very common and is a serious mental illness, one of the anxiety disorders.

“I’m only 30 years old, but I have had OCD and depression since I was five. The depression is secondary to the OCD, and the Luvox I take keeps both the OCD and depression under control.

“We need stem-cell research for mental illness. We must cure all mental illnesses.

“It is not enough to merely treat or control these mental illnesses or disorders, we must eliminate them all and make it so that no one will have to take psychiatric drugs or endure the shame of having to see a psychiatrist.

“Chronic mental illness like OCD is worse than cancer or deadly terminal illness. We must also give more disability money to all disabled persons who cannot work. They shouldn’t have to suffer in poverty.

“Sincerely, Anonymous, Queens, N.Y.”

The stigma of mental suffering remains. The sitgma of disability is real. The stigma (certainly in the letter-writer’s mind) of even seeking psychiatric help is unfortunate. Are we such an uncaring society not to listen, with so many crying for help?