Shannon Shy - Turning Points: Peer Support with a Strategy to Help Those Affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Turning
Points

Peer Support with a Strategy
to Help Those Affected by
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

SHANNON SHY

CERTIFIED PEER RECOVERY SPECIALIST

FOREWORD BY DR. MICHAEL A. JENIKE, M.D.,
PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

Copyright 2021 Shannon Shy.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Balboa Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Illustrations by Sean Shinnock

ISBN: 978-1-9822-6342-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-6343-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-6344-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021902263

Balboa Press rev. date: 02/18/2021

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

LET ME ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE, WHO have positively impacted my life and thus made this book possible, by expressing my gratitude. I am grateful for Gods grace and guiding hand. I am grateful for my immediate family Debbie, Alex, Casey, Layla, Warren, Andrew, Kenzie, and Samantha. They are the focal point of my existence. I am grateful for all the amazing and wonderful people to whom I provide peer support. While none of us would wish OCD on our worst enemies, our mutual struggles brought us together and our bond will endure. I am grateful for the clinicians and peer clients who gave me critical reviews on the manuscript. I am grateful for Dr. Michael Jenike, M.D., who took time out of his busy schedule not only to review the manuscript, but also to write such a kind and impactful Foreword. I truly am honored and humbled he did this. I am grateful for Sean Shinnock for his amazing artwork throughout this book. Seans journey is truly inspirational, and his art captures the essence of a sufferers experience with OCD. I am grateful for the Marines and civilians who worked at the Marine Corps Eastern Area Counsel Office at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where I worked when I was diagnosed in 1997, who provided me faithful support in the early stages of my fight against OCD. I am grateful for the lifelong friends from my childhood, high school, college, law school, the Marine Corps, the Department of Navy Office of General Counsel, the youth football and baseball communities, and my neighbors in Dale City, Virginia, with whom I share a lifetime of wonderful memories. I am grateful for Joe Galat, President, American Youth Football and Cheerleading, Inc., whose friendship, mentorship, and steadfast devotion to the concept of Giving Back continue to guide and inspire me. I am grateful for the Board of Directors and staff of the International OCD Foundation, whose tireless and heartfelt devotion to those who suffer, their families, and clinicians lifts people across the globe. I am grateful for the Board of Directors and staff of the Trillium Center, an impactful and giving mental health services non-profit in Woodbridge, Virginia. I am grateful for the Navy psychiatrists and psychologists and to the civilian psychiatrist who treated me. Your professionalism and wisdom helped put me back on my life path. Finally, I am grateful for my sisters (Sheri, Sandy, Sue, and Stacy), in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and my mom (Trudy) and dad (Al). I send you my faithful and everlasting love. Mom and Dad, rest in peace. I hope my work has made you proud.

DEDICATION

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO those who suffer from OCD, their family members, and those who treat OCD, one of the most debilitating disorders on the planet. Throughout this book, you will see unedited messages from sufferers who I have worked with one-on-one or who follow my Facebook page. It is helpful and important to hear from them about the power of peer support.

I also dedicate this book to the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). Before I wrote my first book in 2009 about my recovery, I had no insight into the vast community that OCD affects or the growing world of professional and personal support to help those who suffer (which includes family members and friends of those who have the disorder). In 2010 the IOCDF contacted me and asked me to be the Keynote Speaker at its annual conference to be held in Washington DC. I humbly accepted and the rest is history. In 2011 the IOCDF asked me to join its Board of Directors and I later had the honor to serve as the Boards Secretary and President. Awesome does not begin to describe this group of compassionate caring people. My continued advocacy is a direct result of the people I have met through my association with the IOCDF. I encourage you to check out this amazing organization at www.iocdf.org .

Finally, I dedicate this book to Nathaniel Asselin and Riley Sisson, may they rest in peace. May God continue to comfort their families in their grief, and bless them for their tireless advocacy

A MESSAGE FROM STEWART
RICHARDS (ALABAMA, USA)

I began therapy for OCD in the fall of 2015. My therapist encouraged me to purchase both of Shannon Shys books: Itll Be Okay and Hope Is on Your Side: A Motivational Journal for Those Affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I read Itll Be Okay in one sitting. As my tears stained each page, I felt as though God had given me an incredible gift. I finally felt like someone else in the world truly understood how I felt. To learn that Shannon suffered deeply but was ultimately victorious in the battle against OCD gave me the hope I so desperately needed. I thought to myself I wish I could meet Shannon so that I could tell him he is my hero. While I had an amazing therapist, I longed for someone else to talk to outside of therapy who understood what I was going through.

Well, my wish came true! A few months into my recovery journey I discovered Shannons Facebook page. It was here that I learned about his peer support services. Once again, I felt like God was handing me another wonderful gift. I began peer support with Shannon in tandem with my weekly therapy sessions. When I saw Shannons face pop up on my computer screen for the first time, I couldnt believe that I was actually talking to my hero! I knew right away that this guy was in my corner and would be there to see me through the road ahead. And that he did.

When I was afraid OCD was winning the battle, Shannon reminded me that OCD can be defeated and that I didnt have to live in its shackles as long as I kept applying the simple strategy. When OCD produced thoughts that only seemed to be getting more horrific and terrifying, he reminded me that 0=0. When the pain and anxiety seemed too much to bear, he reminded me that my goal was long-term recovery and not immediate relief. When I cried tears of frustration with myself, he reminded me to be good to myself as I deserved compassion and understanding.