Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex neurological condition that can manifest itself in a variety of ways, many of which are quite debilitating.
For Ingrid Higgins, 28, it often presents itself in the form of severe germ phobia and a preoccupation with the possibility that she may be sick, commonly referred to as hypochondria. Although Higgins is aware that these worries are often unfounded, that does little to calm her pervasive and persistent anxiety and compulsive handwashing.
“When COVID hit, I was in hell!” she said. “I developed an even more severe case of agoraphobia that still hasn’t gone away, and no amount of washing my hands seemed to be enough.”
Higgins clarified that she continues to take necessary precautions to keep herself healthy as COVID remains a public health problem, but she’s also sad to think that the populace at large will not take her gravest health concerns seriously.
That is why she felt an odd sensation of relief and excitement when she ended up in the emergency room last week with what turned out to be a mushroom allergy.
“As far as I knew, I’d never had any food allergies in my life, and I’ve eaten mushrooms plenty of times before. But I was out with my friends, and I swore I was starting to feel an allergic reaction! I don’t know how, but I was sure.”
Her friends didn’t believe her at first, which, in retrospect, she could not blame them for.
“I get it. I’m an alarmist, and they figured it was their job to just calm me down,” she said.
Then came the anaphylaxis.
“That got everyone’s attention,” said Higgins, chuckling. “Even as I was struggling to breathe, I started to laugh. I was finally right!”