An itch to twitch, to blink and flinch This mental glitch treats me like its bitch Why do it once when you can do it ten times Though the first was alright, it doesn’t feel fine Subjected to ritual without consent Oh my, where have all those hours went When I could have done ten things once But instead did one thing ten times Filled with vague anxieties all day Sometimes specified, rattling Nothing seems to keep them long at bay Except for sleep, which I indulge in gladly It’s often hard to focus, sadly Except on what I don’t want to Repetitive movements and thought-pollution Has my mind got a permanent flu? Reader, I’m glad it’s not you.
About “Mental Glitch”:
“Mental Glitch” was inspired by my personal experiences with mental health, especially Tourette’s syndrome and OCD. I’ve struggled with symptoms of Tourette’s and OCD for as long as I can remember. They reared their heads in early childhood. I’ve learned to manage them better over time, but they’ve stayed with me and remain very frequent.
On an average day, you can expect me to tic several times on any given minute of every waking hour. I also have regular intrusive thoughts. All of this worsens with stress, and – as you might imagine – contributes to it as well. A nasty loop. They interfere heavily in everyday life. For example, they can make me take several times longer to perform basic tasks, make it difficult to relax, and repeatedly break my focus.
I think many people (understandably) don’t fully understand or have direct experience with how hindering these conditions can be. Additionally, for someone like me, “masking” these symptoms has become a lifestyle. I don’t normally talk about them, and I certainly wouldn’t have shared all of this online even a few years back.
I think there needs to be openness and dialogue about these things, though. They have a massive impact on so many people. I think sharing more about what it’s like to live with these conditions can help people discuss them honestly, with understanding and empathy.
About The Author:
Originally from the United States, Braden Laster now resides in the mythical land of Finland, following his “Great Migration” halfway across the world. Other than learning a mysterious elvish language, his days are often spent writing poetry, fiction, and occasionally other things. Reading, researching, and pondering are other frequent pastimes.
He also enjoys having in-depth conversations on subjects such as psychology and philosophy. If you ever cross his path, say hi! He’d love to chat with you over coffee. Braden lives in a comfy apartment with his amazing wife and their two cats.
As you can tell, this post was not written by me. It’s written by the very talented Braden from Caffeinated Philosophy. I absolutely love his content and wanted to encourage anyone who enjoyed this poem to go over to his blog for similar content.
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