In recent years, OCD has become more publically discussed, with celebrities coming forward and admitting they are afflicted by the condition.  Yet when David Beckham went public with his diagnosis, much of the world made jokes and laughed.  There was little consideration for his lifelong struggle with his own mind, or the difficulties it might pose for his family.  There was even less acknowledgment that most people are at least a little obsessive-compulsive themselves.

Despite the growing awareness of such conditions, stereotypes persist…and an inspiring group of people have decided to do something about that.

‘Check Mates’, edited by Vrinda Pendred, is the first ever collection of fiction, poetry and artwork about OCD, by people with OCD – the real experts on the subject.  It also marks the launch of Conditional Publications, the only dedicated publishing house for writers with any kind of neurological condition.

Divided between ‘Realism’ and the ‘Beyond’, this book drives the absurdity and horror of OCD straight home.  It has been put together by writers and artists from around the world, and showcases a wide range of emotions, from love to hate, joy to rage, fear and sorrow to hope and optimism.  There’s even a little bit of humour!  Everyone will find something to relate to.

What it doesn’t do is shy away from the truth.  Every angle is covered, no matter how painful, which makes for a startling and moving read.

If you have OCD, you’re going to find yourself in this book and realise you’re definitely not alone.  If you don’t have OCD…you’re probably going to find a little of yourself anyway, because that’s what this book does: it forces us to look at our own neuroses.  I think this book is set to crack wide open a few stereotypes that have been flying around for far too long.

And as if that’s not enough, part of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to OCD charities.

‘Check Mates: A Collection of Fiction, Poetry and Artwork about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, by People with OCD’ is coming to Amazon on 11 May 2010.  To show support of this inspirational new book, a collection of authors, coaches and healers from around the world will be giving away free online gifts if you purchase the book on its launch date of 11th May.

AND … Vrinda Pendred, the editor of ‘Check Mates’, is giving away an EXTRA special gift of her own: ‘The Passenger’, an unpublished short story about Tourette Syndrome.

Click here for insights into what parents and teachers should know about OCD kids.

Click here to read a personal take on how OCD impacts relationships.

Usually when you read books on these conditions, they will be medical non-fiction or a parents’ guide to raising their afflicted child.  Too rarely are the true experts – the sufferers themselves – given a chance to tell us what it’s really like to live with such disorders.

Conditional Publications is going to change all this.  This brand new, much-needed niche company is run entirely by people with nervous disorders, so they understand the subjects and the frustrations experienced by so many sufferers on a daily basis.

The company’s exciting entrance onto the publishing scene is marked with its first major release, ‘Check Mates: A Collection of Fiction, Poetry and Artwork about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, by People with OCD’, coming to Amazon on 11 May 2010.  Astoundingly, this is the first ever book of its kind…but it’s definitely not the last.

Divided between ‘Realism’ and the ‘Beyond’, this book drives the absurdity and horror of OCD straight home.  It has been put together by writers and artists from around the world, and showcases a wide range of emotions, from love to hate, joy to rage, fear and sorrow to hope and optimism.  There’s even a little bit of humour!  Everyone will find something to relate to.

What it doesn’t do is shy away from the truth.  Every angle is covered, no matter how painful, which makes for a startling and moving read.

If you have OCD, you’re going to find yourself in this book and realise you’re definitely not alone.  If you don’t have OCD…you’re probably going to find a little of yourself anyway, because that’s what this book does: it forces us to look at our own neuroses.  I think this book is set to crack wide open a few stereotypes that have been flying around for far too long.

And as if that’s not enough, part of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to OCD charities.

‘Check Mates: A Collection of Fiction, Poetry and Artwork about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, by People with OCD’ is coming to Amazon on 11 May 2010.  To show support of this inspirational new book, a collection of authors, coaches and healers from around the world will be giving away free online gifts if you purchase the book on its launch date of 11th May.

AND … Vrinda Pendred, the editor of ‘Check Mates’, is giving away an EXTRA special gift of her own: ‘The Passenger’, an unpublished short story about Tourette Syndrome.

Be sure to sign up for a “launch reminder” HERE, and then mark your diary for May 11^th!

And be sure to sign up for a reminder to buy the book on its launch date of 11 May and a chance to claim some free online goodies as a thank you.

I am not alone.  I have a constant, unwelcome companion.  This companion is a voice – a voice in my head that is sadly my own.

You see, I suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, which, in our haste to spit out words as quickly as possible, is often just referred to as OCD.  I’ve heard OCD compared to a faulty transmission that gets stuck in gear, or a machine gun with a sticking trigger.  What it means is that my brain often gets stuck on a single unpleasant thought.  I end up thinking this unpleasant thought over and over.  I obsess about it and fear that it’s real, and will perform some nonsensical ritual in the vain hope of relief.  I used to think and do things in groups of fours, convinced that the order and repetition would somehow relieve my anxiety.  I did the whole checking and re-checking thing.  I had a horrible period where I thought something bad would happen my Mom, and that those same thoughts would cause the tragedy I so feared.  I obsessed that perhaps I really did want bad things to happen to those I loved, or that I deserved to be punished for being a horrible person.  I’ve since learned that these thoughts are irrational.  The feelings they cause are not real.  The checking, the constant fear that something awful would happen, has almost completely gone away.

Unfortunately, I’ve found that the awful sputtering voice hasn’t gone away.  It’s just adapted.  As I’ve become comfortable doing more and more normal things, I’ve realized that some of my new frustrations and fears are just good old-fashioned OCD thoughts.  And that’s why I say I’ll never be really alone.

You don’t have any reason to be envious, because my companion isn’t comforting.  My only refuge is sleep, and even then peace isn’t guaranteed.

The recorded interview is now being featured as the website’s Empowerment Call of the Week.  To listen, you can call a number and enter an access code for the specific episode.  Full details, as taken from the website, are as follows:

March 19, 2010

Overcoming Obstacles with Vrinda Pendred

Attendee Dial-in #: (712) 432-1011

Attendee Access Code: 480547930#

Sometimes we need to see life through another person’s view. This very inspiring interview will help you see that any of the obstacles before you are temporary – you can get around them in one way or another! Vrinda has created some amazing things in her life by working through. past, and over her own obstacles. Key#4 to an AMAZING life – never give up!