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'My Anxiety, Depression, and OCD Do Not Define Me'
(HTM) Source
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**By: Idella Sturino, Communications Advisor, Sunnybrook Health
Sciences Centre**
Cassie Josephson is a registered nurse who works in pediatrics, a
proud aunt to two nieces, and an animal lover who has fostered more
than 150 cats.
She also lives with anxiety, depression, and obsessive compulsive
disorder (OCD).
At the latest Sunnybrook Speaker Series, Cassie described the toll OCD
took on her life -- and the unique treatment program which finally
helped her get better and reach her goals.
Cassie, who lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, received care at
Sunnybrook's Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre, as part
of its innovative residential treatment program for people with
severely impairing OCD. The program is the only one of its kind in
Canada and open to clients from across the country as well as the
United States.
According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, "the main
symptoms of OCD are recurrent obsessions or compulsions that interfere
with a person's life."
Photo provided by Cassie Josephson
Cassie shared that her anxiety and OCD first surfaced in childhood.
She was often late for the school bus because she had to adjust her
clothing so it felt "just right". As a teen, she worried about
everything from winter driving to what others thought of her.
"My brain would automatically go to the worst-case scenario," Cassie
said. "I started to do whatever I could to gain control and get that
'just right' feeling to calm the panic I felt inside."
By the time she was in her final year of nursing school, at age 21,
Cassie was really struggling with her mental health. She sought care
at her local hospital and took a medical leave from school so she
could focus on her health.
Cassie credited the psychologist who she began working with during
this period for having a tremendously positive impact on her life.
Over time, however, Cassie's anxiety, depression, and OCD got worse.
Several of the obsessions and compulsions her OCD presented revolved
around the number three, such as touching the light switch three times
or controlling how many times her windshield wipers swiped while
driving. Soon, daily activities such as driving became impossible, and
she went on long-term disability from work.
"If I did not do exactly as my OCD thought I should, I felt like a
complete failure," she explained.
Cassie's OCD also began to involve self-harm. Over the next several
years, this led to several stays in hospital. Unfortunately, the
doctors treating her did not fully recognize her OCD. Instead, Cassie
was misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder - an experience
she says had a negative impact on her.
"It was counterproductive towards my recovery because it put me on a
treatment plan that did not fit my needs," she said. "What I really
needed was intensive and specialized OCD treatment that was not
available in Saskatchewan. That's when I found Sunnybrook's Thompson
Centre."
Cassie described the care she received at the Thompson Centre as
"life-changing".
"Finding a whole team of professionals who specialize in OCD, who
truly understand the struggles it brings without judgment, and who see
you for you and not your illness, was pivotal in getting my life
back."
Cassie said she left the program knowing her toolbox of skills and
techniques to manage her OCD was fully stocked.
Now living back at home in Regina, Cassie shared that she works hard
at using the skills she honed at the Thompson Centre every day. She
also continues to regularly see her psychologist.
Cassie said she is proud of how far she has come in her journey.
After four years on long-term disability and recovering from a near-
fatal case of Serotonin Syndrome, Cassie said she is back to work and
finding new purpose in her job as a pediatric nurse - one of her
lifelong dreams. And soon, she plans to purchase her first home.
"I accept that in life there are so many things that ultimately we
don't have control over," Cassie said. "I try to always do things that
I love and enjoy, I keep taking steps forward, and I try my best to go
with the flow and roll with the punches that life gives. I still have
ups and downs and a lot of struggles. But they do not control me and
they sure do not define me."
Learn more about Cassie's story and the special work of Sunnybrook's
Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre here.
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