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In the podcast episode titled “From Darkness to Light: A Journey with OCD,” host Teresa Blaes welcomes guest Marin Canaday, an author who specializes in mental illness and particularly in dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Marin opens up about her personal journey with OCD, explaining how her struggles began in junior high when she started to obsess over germs, fearing that she would inadvertently harm someone.
Marin shares that she grew up in a church environment where her father’s role as an elder heightened her sense of needing to be perfect, leading to obsessive behaviors focused on making the right choices. She reveals how, as a child, she constantly confessed her mistakes and felt a weight of expectation that contributed to her fears of not being accepted by God.
As her journey progresses, Marin discusses how she battled various obsessive thoughts throughout her adolescence and into adulthood, including a particularly challenging time after the birth of her children. She experienced debilitating fears about potentially harming her children and grappled with the intrusive thoughts that came with OCD, leading her to seek therapy and medication for help.
Marin recounts a critical moment during a hospitalization where she called out to God for peace, leading to a sense of calm that allowed her to sleep for the first time in a long while. She explains how, over time and with God’s guidance, she began to realize that her obsessive fears did not define her.
Teresa and Marin discuss the importance of opening up about mental health struggles in the church and how Marin found support from her pastor when sharing her story. Marin highlights how she was ultimately able to write two children’s books about her experiences with OCD and mental illness, using her journey to encourage others.
Throughout the conversation, Marin emphasizes the importance of faith in God and the lessons learned from her battles with OCD. She stresses the importance of seeking help and emphasizes that it is okay to have struggles while trusting that God has a plan.
To conclude, the episode encourages listeners to seek help if they are struggling with OCD or mental health issues and reminds them that God provides comfort and can help them through their darkest moments. Marin’s two books are mentioned as resources available for those dealing with similar challenges.