Health
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Dr Alex George: Unpacking His OCD Reality
It’s incredibly brave when someone, especially someone in the public eye, chooses to share their personal struggles with mental health. Dr Alex George, a familiar face from Love Island and a practicing doctor, recently did just that, revealing his diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. He shared on social media that while the diagnosis wasn't entirely a surprise, it still felt like a shock. He described how OCD has caused him immense distress, but he also expressed a sense of relief and optimism now that he has clarity and can begin the process of working towards recovery.
What struck me, and likely many others, is how Dr Alex described his specific experience with OCD. It’s not the stereotypical image of someone endlessly washing their hands or counting objects. Instead, he explained what’s known as 'pure O' OCD, where the compulsions are mental. He spends hours, literally hours, ruminating on intrusive thoughts, often triggered by real-life events. He shared that he might be having a good day, then a thought pops into his head, and suddenly he’s locked into a cycle of thought-checking, fact-checking, and trying to make sense of things. This isn't just ordinary reflection; it's being stuck on thoughts, sometimes from years ago, looping endlessly. It sounds exhausting and isolating, and it's a stark reminder that mental health conditions don't always look the way we might expect.
It's particularly poignant that Dr Alex, with his medical background, couldn't identify his own struggles until someone else pointed it out. He revealed that this has been a long-standing issue, potentially since his teenage years, and that ADHD might also play a role due to hyper-fixation. This highlights the complexity of mental health and how easy it can be to miss signs, even in ourselves. As the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests, about one in 50 people will experience OCD in their lifetime, and while the causes aren't fully understood, stress, genetics, and brain changes are often implicated. Hearing Dr Alex George speak so openly about his journey underscores the importance of seeking professional help, especially when intrusive thoughts dominate our thinking to the point of interruption. It makes you wonder, how many of us are silently battling similar challenges, perhaps not even realizing it?
What struck me, and likely many others, is how Dr Alex described his specific experience with OCD. It’s not the stereotypical image of someone endlessly washing their hands or counting objects. Instead, he explained what’s known as 'pure O' OCD, where the compulsions are mental. He spends hours, literally hours, ruminating on intrusive thoughts, often triggered by real-life events. He shared that he might be having a good day, then a thought pops into his head, and suddenly he’s locked into a cycle of thought-checking, fact-checking, and trying to make sense of things. This isn't just ordinary reflection; it's being stuck on thoughts, sometimes from years ago, looping endlessly. It sounds exhausting and isolating, and it's a stark reminder that mental health conditions don't always look the way we might expect.
It's particularly poignant that Dr Alex, with his medical background, couldn't identify his own struggles until someone else pointed it out. He revealed that this has been a long-standing issue, potentially since his teenage years, and that ADHD might also play a role due to hyper-fixation. This highlights the complexity of mental health and how easy it can be to miss signs, even in ourselves. As the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggests, about one in 50 people will experience OCD in their lifetime, and while the causes aren't fully understood, stress, genetics, and brain changes are often implicated. Hearing Dr Alex George speak so openly about his journey underscores the importance of seeking professional help, especially when intrusive thoughts dominate our thinking to the point of interruption. It makes you wonder, how many of us are silently battling similar challenges, perhaps not even realizing it?
