Hello everybody!! It's been a while. I've been gone on vacations for almost three weeks, and I'm back! I've been quite happy these past few weeks… I started taking Fluoxetine at the end of the month of July because my therapist could see that I wasn't exactly doing well… it's been only 5 or 6 weeks since I started the treatment, but I feel better, really. The meds reduced the anxiety and I feel like I can finally breathe. Of course, I still continue the ERP/CBT therapy and I try to not ruminate… but even if I do ruminate sometimes and that OCD is still there, I don't feel sad, and that's a good thing. Of course, not everything is pretty, there are still some days when I can't do anything apart from doubting and suffering, but I've knew worse. I don't know for how long I'm gonna need to take meds, but I don't regret starting medicine. Plus effect, I don't feel any side effects. I don't feel sleepy, nor nauseous, etc. I hope it will stay that way. I see my therapist on September 11. Today is my birthday, I'm 20, and I'm no longer a teenager. It feels weird in a way, but I'm not that nostalgic. I'm grateful to be alive and I try to enjoy life, despite the OCD ghost. Sometimes I can't help asking myself why I have OCD, but I guess asking myself this question is pointless… I will never have an answer. I think I've learned to accept that I do have OCD, and maybe I will have it for the rest of my life… but it doesn't make me sad. It doesn't mean that I can't have a long and happy life.

I hope that you're okay, all of you. I'm gonna try to read some of your blogs, and some of the new topics on the forum… to let you know that you're not alone, all of you. Keep faith and stay strong! Chloé. PS: I think I've made some spelling mistakes, my bad.. forgive the French one aha.