OCD: The Voice in her head.

Prompt: Write a story about a character struggling with a mental illness. (Fiction)

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6..." Maggie counted to herself as she flipped the light switch repeatedly. She had just encountered a terrifying thought that something awful would happen to her beloved pets. So she counted up to one hundred times, too. "Protect her pets." She counted to one hundred, then decided to count to a higher number to be extra safe. Her family didn't understand what caused her to do these things. She'd count each time she flipped the light switch.

She prayed ten times before bed at night, and She'd wash her hands until her hands were red and bleeding each time she had an upsetting thought. She was afraid she'd accidentally hurt someone or herself. She feared she would get sick and end up in the hospital or worse.

A voice constantly told Maggie what to do to keep herself and those around her "safe." These little actions kept her sane until she was triggered by something in her environment.

Anything could trigger these strange thoughts and actions: a sign outside her work or school, a word or picture on TV, her phone, or her laptop. She was afraid of so many random things, and she didn't know why.

She kept these things a secret from her family. She was embarrassed to admit anything was going on inside her head. She was afraid she was going insane.

Maggie finished counting her light switch flips and returned to her laptop to play computer games, trying to distract herself from her fears by doing things she loved.

However, these thoughts also affected what she loved, such as her friends, family, and pets. It was exhausting to keep up with it all.

She felt she was doing these things nonstop every day. It took up time when she could be doing things like her college homework, her chores, and taking care of her pets. Every day, she struggled, and it was starting to take a toll on her.

Her family was beginning to notice this, and eventually, they discussed their concerns with Maggie. She said she felt strange and explained her peculiar feelings and voices.

So, they went to a local psychologist to see if she could help Maggie. Maggie talked through her feelings, thoughts, and the weird actions she had to calm her mind. She said that her brain felt strange and like someone was living in her head telling her what to do. The doctor explained to Maggie and her family that she had something called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD.

There are a few causes of OCD, such as Environmental, Genetics, or, in Maggie's case, a chemical imbalance in her brain. The doctor explained how Maggie's serotonin wasn't being produced as much as needed for her to feel good. So, her serotonin levels were lower than the normal range. They all discussed the treatment options.

There was exposure therapy or medication. There were also intensive outpatient treatment or residential treatment programs. Maggie and her family went home to discuss their options. Maggie wasn't so sure. She felt safer when she did her little actions, making it feel like she protected herself and those around her.

When her parents brought up the idea of medication, it scared her. "What if the medicine makes me feel like a zombie?" she asked one day as she finished her daily chores. Maggie had her college class earlier in the day and did half of the little actions she had learned were anxious compulsions.

"No, honey, it won't. These kinds of medicines can help your mind settle, and you'll feel better. You'll feel happier and less afraid," her mom explained. Maggie nodded, but she was still not so sure about it.

A few days later, Maggie and her parents met with the doctor to help set up her medicine regime. It took a while for them to find a medicine and dosage that worked for her. For a while, Maggie worried that it would never work and that she would be miserable forever. Soon enough, though, they found something working, thanks to the combination of medicine, therapy, and support from her family and friends. Maggie was feeling so much better. While she still had her anxious thoughts, they weren't as intense, and the voice in her head was quiet. She could finally focus on what she wanted to focus on instead of her anxiety. She was back to living, and she felt so much happier.