(Taken with permisson from Rachel's website [Click Here])

My name is Rachel and I just turned 15 on February 17 (2004).

I was just recently diagnosed with OCD during June of 2003, although I've had it since I was about seven or eight years old. I was on Zoloft (100 mg per day) for approximately six months, but I'm not anymore due to some insurance problem we had (which is now fixed, just haven't been to the doctor lately.)

When I was seven or so, my big thing was making sure nothing in the house would catch on fire. I always moved things that I thought were too flammable at least 4 feet or so away from a heat source (yes, that even included such things as sunlight.) I also used to do other things that I can hardly remember, such as counting my shoelaces.

Lately, I've become a bit of a germaphobe and have been carrying moist towelettes and rubbing alcohol. Also, TONS of stuff going on inside my head - thoughts over and over. Sometimes I sit there and think of like 10 different ways to say the word 'there' or something and repeat the sounds in my head. That's why I'm doing so well in German class - I usually use the German word for something when I go through this annoying ritual. Then there are those just plain out weird thoughts - I can't even explain them. . . I lay awake at night when I should be sleeping (after I check my alarm clock a bajillion times) thinking of tons of different ways things should be or what I did wrong that day or how there's a drawer sticking out of my dresser that should be pushed in, etc.) I don't ever stop thinking/over analyzing. I also change toothbrush's at least once a month and boil them in between.

I think that's enough information for anyone to know about my OCD.

I really like playing in the marching band and concert band is okay (I'm a percussionist.) Ich liebe auch Deutsch. ("I also love German." for you non-German speaking folks.) I really don't have much else to say.