Dr Alex George has bravely opened up about his ‘life-changing’ diagnosis in an emotional Instagram post, sharing his battles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The 34-year-old doctor and Love Island star, originally from Carmarthen, shared his journey with his 2.1 million followers, revealing that the diagnosis, though unsurprising, was still a significant moment for him.
“OCD has caused me more distress than anything else,” Alex admitted. Despite the challenges, he feels a sense of relief and clarity after the diagnosis, allowing him to start the road to recovery. He revealed that his OCD manifests mainly through obsessive mental rumination, a form known as ‘pure O’, involving persistent and intrusive thoughts rather than visible compulsions like repetitive cleaning or counting.
Dr Alex shared how these overwhelming thoughts can take hold for hours, affecting his daily life and mental wellbeing. He described the cycle as triggering, leading to endless rumination, fact-checking, and memory reviewing. This cyclical pattern is more than just occasional reflection—it’s a relentless loop that disrupts his life, often triggered by random events or memories.
The medic also confessed that he has been dealing with these symptoms likely since his teenage years, with ADHD further contributing to his hyper-fixation. Last Christmas, he nearly reached a breaking point due to these obsessive thoughts. It wasn’t until someone pointed out he might be experiencing OCD that he considered it a possibility.
Dr Alex’s story is a crucial reminder of the importance of recognising mental health issues and seeking professional help. OCD affects about 1 in 50 people, and while its exact cause is often unclear, early recognition and intervention can make a significant difference.
If you or someone you know struggles with similar issues, please reach out to a mental health professional for guidance and support. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey to understanding and managing mental health. ❤️ #MentalHealthAwareness #OCD #RealTalk