A safe space for women to feel less alone with OCD
You are not alone in thisWriting on intrusive thoughts, our cycles, triggers, and the slow work of learning to live beside OCD instead of at war with it. One woman's honest account, for the women who need to hear it.
My latest writing
OCD and overeating
one girl's honest take on OCD, food and self-forgivenessThis is a more vulnerable post of mine, but I think it's important for me to share. I've recently noticed that when I'm spiralling and feel the need to do a compulsion, all of a sudden I get so hungry and feel the need to eat the house out of snacks. I'm conscious that I don't need the extra food, but I think it's my way of trying to feel better, or distract myself with it. This has, of course, never once worked in my favour and if anything, it makes my anxiety much much worse.
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My partner actually framed it in a way that made a lot of sense to me. Most of the times I overeat during these moments, I usually end up feeling far more unsettled. He explained it almost like the food is more anxiety, and every bite is just feeding it in a sense. It's not the most comfortable way to look at it, but for me it's absolutely true, so during these moments I try to listen to my body instead of my brain.
Food, eating and eating enough is a huge topic in the women's space right now, and this plays into that, of course. Even though some days I overeat, it definitely does not mean I have to work out extra hard the next day or limit myself because I feel bad. I used to feel like I had to do those things. Now I view it in a different light. I can have these heavy moments, and it's not messing up, it's a setback. It definitely doesn't mean I have to punish myself in any way. Indulging some days in all my favourite foods is the best, now I just like to make sure it's coming from the right reasons like enjoyment and happiness, not anxiety and stress.
OCD through a woman's lens
and my mission to help you navigate itAt 15 years old, I was hit with an especially severe subtype of OCD known as POCD.
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It took over a huge portion of my teenage years and was one of the hardest periods of my life. Growing up, I'd only known mild OCD patterns, and I believed mental health "just wasn't that important." I had no real understanding of depression, or how much your brain can shape your reality.
When I came out of what I now like to call the OCD rabbit hole, my entire view on mental health had changed. Recovering made me realise I wanted to help others realise that you are in fact, not your thoughts.
Hello there! My name is Tyga, I'm 18 years old and originally from the United Kingdom, now based in sunny Mexico. At 15, I knew I wanted to help other young women navigating OCD, but I didn't have the resources or the platform yet. Now at 18 I feel ready to share my story and try my very best to support and help women all over.
Throughout my journey I've learned so many tools to help myself, mentally and physically, small changes that don't need to break the bank but that can help tremendously. There's so much more support available now for people struggling with this disorder, which makes me so happy. However, I've always struggled to find something that feels tailored to how it affects women specifically: the periods, mood swings, even small life changes, all of the deeper fun extra layers.
What She Fears is a safe space for women navigating OCD and other mental health challenges. My hope is that by sharing what I've learned, other women can better understand themselves and figure out what true support looks like for them. I want to dive deep into how our relationship with OCD can change across our cycles and what can help us all. Let's make space for the conversations we've needed all along.
No matter where you are in your own journey right now, you are not alone!
Notes
I've heard so many people say "just sit with the urge to compulse and it'll fade within minutes." That's definitely not the case for everyone. Sometimes that need lasts for days, and eventually it passes, or at least gets easier to sit with. Everyone with OCD is different, there's no rulebook.
Drinking green & mint tea has helped significantly with my mood, skin and headspace recently. I highly recommend them. Teas are magic 🧚🏼♀️
More about me
hellooo, I'm TygaOriginally from the UK, now living in Mexico for over four years now. OCD took over a huge portion of my life at 15, and since then I've moved through several different subtypes, some far harder than others.
Slowly, with the support of my incredible mother, my friends, and my therapist, I've learned to live beside my OCD in a way that actually works for me. Recovery for me isn't about erasing OCD, it's about learning to live alongside it.
It's been one of the hardest things I've lived through, but it's also taught me so much, and it's what led me to want to help other women, and shine a light on how OCD and mental health show up differently for us specifically.
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