We asked Malaysians to share their experience with OCD with us. Join the conversation #MYlifewithOCD.
Meet Sheikh Shamir a 23 year old student with a great sense of humour!
: Hi Sheikh Shamir! Thanks for agreeing to talk to us.
Sheikh Shamir: Hi there, no problemo 
: Why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself and when OCD developed?
Sheikh Shamir: Well, I’m 23 years old & I’m a final year engineering student. My kind of OCD is what I would call a “Repetitive Checker” From house & car doors, laptops, bags to even water taps..All has to be checked at least 4-5 times. I guess it developed during my just after my primary school days & have been stuck with it ever since.
: How has it affected your life?
Sheikh Shamir: It has affected me definitely in terms of time management..The constant need to “check” makes going out with friends & family difficult. Even going to sleep can be a chore at times due to the need to check stuff repeatedly. I take usually around 10-15 mins for checking per activity..However the thought that I need to check lingers on in my mind for hours sometimes.
: So in total, maybe 1-2 hours a day for the compulsion but the obsession is on your mind constantly.
Sheikh Shamir: Yeah, around there..The thoughts are the ones that troubles me the worst..keeps playing in my mind & makes me uncomfortable 
That’s tough. Is there a fear that something would happen if you don’t check?
Sheikh Shamir: A fear of utter destructionnn, hahaha..On a serious note, there’s a fear of something might bad happen (Example : If I don’t lock my car door, the fear is that my car will get stolen, etc).
: Haha! So, it could be any bad thing that could happen? What happens when you don’t check?
Sheikh Shamir: Yupp, exactly..Nothing bad happens if I don’t check, but the fear something disastrous might happen compels me every time. So I tend to get very anxious, uneasy when this occurs.
: Do your family and friends know about your OCD?
Sheikh Shamir: I once told a few family members about it but they thought it was a weird habit & weren’t that supportive. They laughed it off & weren’t taking it seriously. So that’s when I thought it’s pointless engaging with them. I have stopped telling anyone now.
: I’m sorry to hear that. How did it make you feel that they laughed and didn’t take it seriously?
Sheikh Shamir: It definitely hurt a lot..But I understand their reaction as maybe they’re not exposed to what OCD is all about.
: That’s a really helpful way to see it. Have people noticed what you are doing and how do you usually explain?
Sheikh Shamir: Fortunately for me, not many people have noticed..But to those who have, I’d try my best to explain to them what OCD is & how it affects me.
:Is there a picture that could represent what OCD feels like to you?
Sheikh Shamir:
: What does OCD feel like?
Sheikh Shamir: OCD feels like a curse of going to battle everyday with your own self, whereby knowing that the chances of winning are always very small
: Have you received any treatment for the OCD?
Sheikh Shamir: I didn’t even know that there is treatment available 
You are the first one to tell me about this.
: Glad to be the first.
One of the best treatment for OCD is called exposure response prevention therapy. It’s tough to go through but effective. You can find out more information here: https://relate.com.my/getting-help-for-ocd/ What helps you be so open with your struggle with OCD?
Sheikh Shamir Well, I want people to be more aware of conditions such as OCD & any other mental health issue. Right now most Malaysians are not aware of mental health conditions.
: If I had a magic wand, what would your 3 wishes be?
Sheikh Shamir: 1) Free the world from any mental health problem 2) World peace 3) Unlimited wishes 
: Nice! That’s always a good wish to have more wishes. Thank you for chatting with us and sharing your story!
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