Carletta Nance

G.V.

Jan 20, 2025

Going into the winter of 2023, I experienced the worst anxiety of my life. It began with unwanted intrusive thoughts, violent in nature, and spiraled from there. This caught me completely off guard—I was having a great year and had achieved many personal successes. At 22, I had quit drinking alcohol in February of that year. While I wouldn’t say I was a full-blown alcoholic, I definitely had some unhealthy tendencies and made many mistakes under the influence. Quitting alcohol was my first step toward living a healthier life, but it also brought underlying challenges to the surface, including my struggle with OCD. Reflecting on my life, I realize now that I’ve always had OCD. As a child, it revolved around health anxiety, but during my teenage years, it faded. Those years were filled with fun and exploration, and my worries seemed to take a backseat. However, as I got older and faced more hardships, alcohol became a way to cope. It dulled my anxieties and offered temporary relief, leading me to drink several times a week, sometimes daily, after high school. When I finally quit drinking and my brain began healing, it was as if the curtains were pulled back, revealing unresolved issues and self-destructive thinking patterns. By December 2023, it all reached a boiling point. I was on vacation from work when the intrusive thoughts started. At first, they shook me, but the harder I tried to suppress them, the more persistent they became. This marked the start of a full-blown OCD crisis. My mind was consumed by harm-related OCD, leaving me in a near-constant state of panic. I feared I might harm someone or my pet. These thoughts and images haunted me day and night. It felt like a gut-wrenching guilt complex, coupled with the constant fear that I was a terrible person who might do something horrible. I began obsessively analyzing my memories, searching for “evidence” to prove whether I was a bad person. Long-forgotten moments from my past resurfaced, hitting me like a ton of bricks. I obsessed over each memory, asking myself, “What does this say about me?” The anxiety became so debilitating that I couldn’t function. I fell into a state of anhedonia, the inability to feel joy, and I truly didn’t know how I could live like that. Here’s a glimpse of the thoughts that consumed me 24/7: I’m a bad person. I can’t believe I did that. I need to call this person right now and make amends. I must make sure I never do that again. Does this make me a potential serial killer? If everyone knew the things I’ve done, they’d hate me. I need to go to prison for my mistakes. What if I have schizophrenia? What if my brain is permanently broken? What if I feel this way forever? The anxiety was so intense that I sometimes stayed up all night, asking my girlfriend if we should go to the hospital. Recovery Through Therapy I’m sharing this story to say: I recovered. In fact, my life today is better than it was before the severe OCD symptoms. I owe a huge part of my recovery to NOCD and my therapist. This platform was instrumental in helping me heal. My therapist guided me through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy in a way that felt truly personalized. At first, I doubted it would work—it felt like the exercises might only prolong my misery. But ERP is evidence-based for a reason: it works. For everyone. I also pursued psychotherapy alongside ERP to address unresolved trauma and unhealthy thought patterns. While OCD was the most pressing issue, this additional therapy helped me tackle deeper emotional wounds. Today, I feel stronger and more intentional in my life. I practice mindfulness, meditation, and gratitude, which help me stay grounded and resilient. I’ve learned to accept my mistakes, embrace who I am, and commit to building a fulfilling life. At my lowest, recovery felt impossible. Yet here I am. I didn’t take medication, as it was important to me to heal without it, but I absolutely respect and support its use for those who find it helpful. If you’re wondering whether recovery is possible without medication: it is. Neuroplasticity and therapy can help you rebuild your life. To anyone reading this: you can recover. It will take endurance, trust in the process, and support, but brighter days are ahead. Best, Gabe

K.J.

Nov 02, 2023

My therapist has helped me understand my OCD, and learn how to fight back. It's not easy and there's still good and bad days, but I'm much better equipped to manage my own OCD and resist compulsions with her help. I'm not done yet, but I'm getting better!

N.H.

Aug 24, 2023

Carletta is great. Very knowledgeable and empathetic. She really listens.

A.P.

Aug 16, 2023

Carletta is and keeps the session focused but empathetic and genuine while helping me move ahead with the ERP. Way more productive than any talk therapy I've ever tried.

N.H.

Aug 09, 2023

Carletta was very patient while I spoke as well as very empathetic.

D.C.

Jul 26, 2023

She is nice. First person to ever understand my relationship with my mom.