I AM Kobie - living with OCD

28th April, 2021    |    By  Batyr    |     851

‘Speaking about mental health was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was also one of the best things I’ve ever done’ – Kobie.

Kobie is one of five mental health storytellers taking part in our ‘I Am’ series. Kobie shares his story of living with OCD and the power he’s found in speaking openly about mental health after participating in our Being Herd workshop. To join our herd and learn to share your story head to www.batyr.com.au/being-herd

Thank you to Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation for their generous funding to make this campaign possible. If you’re going through a rough time and feel like you need support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Music Credit: ‘Say Nothing’ – Muto


Also check the related topics:  

Psychosis and other mental illnesses What is it like getting help?

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I AM Kobie – living with OCD

Speaking about mental health was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was also one of the best things I’ve ever done. When I was younger, I was a massive perfectionist and overachiever. If I did anything less than perfect, I would freak out, get mad at myself, get really angry, get ashamed, and get sad. I started skating when I was 13. I would spend hours and hours and hours and hours practicing everything, trying to do it perfectly. I was diagnosed with OCD. I felt as if I didn’t have a right to speak about it because everything else in my life was so good.

After doing the “Being Heard” workshop, I found that when I spoke about my mental health issues, people were very receptive towards them. A lot of the fear that I felt, and the embarrassment that I felt, was all kind of in my own head. I think that it’s super important for us to speak openly about issues in mental health and embrace vulnerability in doing so. I think that’s a really important change that we need to make as a society. It’s completely changed the way I live my life and how I view mental health.

Video by batyr