Writing in the New York Times, broadcast journalist Jeff Bell explains what it’s like for a person with obsessive compulsive disorder to go to a restaurant. Thanks to a therapy called exposure response prevention, Bell is now able to visit restaurants without being immobilized by fears, anxieties and repetititive behaviors.

I am no brain scientist. I understand almost nothing about proteins and neurotransmitters. But my own extensive work with this particular form of torture (that is, directed treatment), with medication, has progressively allowed me to take back much of the life my disorder stole from me.

Today I travel extensively, sharing my recovery story and working with groups like the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation to raise awareness. In my job as a radio news anchor, I don’t have to eat out much, but when I’m on the road for work related to the disorder, I wind up eating in a lot of restaurants. I can honestly say I’m starting to enjoy it. In fact, while I still like ice water with my meal, I often find myself drinking from the glass, not washing with it.

Now when I say check, please, I’m simply asking for my bill.

Bell is the author of the book “Rewind, Replay Repeat.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 at 1:42 pm and is filed under OCD, personal stories, success stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.  Email This Post