Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder that often involves intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and ritualization. 14-year-old Allison is an OCD sufferer who shares her personal struggles in hopes of destigmatizing the illness and creating a support community for others affected by OCD. | VICE

1. The daily “good morning” feels warm, but it’s a script. Psychologists call it relationship ritualization: gestures replace truth. You read the words and think he’s consistent, but really he’s avoiding depth. It’s performance dressed as care. He gets credit while staying hidden. 2. These rituals trigger your nervous system like a cue. Every message releases a micro-reward, training you to expect contact instead of connection. When it stops, you don’t miss him — your body misses the signal. Tha

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Coping With Severe OCD as a Teenager