My Story

"I never knew what OCD was until I was 19 years old."

The Early Signs

Since I was a kid, I always had little compulsions. Tapping things. Touching objects multiple times until it felt right. It didn't seem like a problem. I just thought it was part of who I was. A little quirk. I never told anyone.

The Trigger

When I was 19, I went to the bathroom a few times in a row. My mom noticed and casually mentioned it might be a symptom of diabetes. I didn't think much of it at the time — but something inside me latched onto that moment. I became obsessed with how my body felt. Was I thirsty? Peeing too much? That's when everything started unraveling.

Welcome to Hell

The obsession didn't stop. Soon it became breathing. Then swallowing. Then blinking. I couldn't stop noticing every automatic sensation. Every waking moment, I was trapped in my body — spiraling. Panicking. I tried everything to get it to stop. But the more I tried, the worse it got.

The Isolation

I told people. Most didn't get it. They'd say, "Just stop thinking about it," or "It's just anxiety." But it wasn't that simple. I started to think I was crazy and felt completely alone.

The Discovery

One day, I found the term: Sensorimotor OCD. I started reading everything I could. It described me perfectly. It gave me language for what I was going through. For the first time, I felt understood. I wasn't broken, I just had a name for it.

The Fight Back

I began learning about OCD and Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP). I realized the real compulsion was trying to escape the sensations. I stopped trying to fix them — and started letting them be there. Some days were awful. But slowly, I started reclaiming my mind.

The Turning Point

I stopped trying to un-notice the sensations. I learned to sit with them, even if they felt uncomfortable. I started living again — even with the discomfort. And that's when I made myself a promise.

Why I Built Unloopa

I built this for the version of me who had no idea what was happening. Who felt terrified, trapped, and misunderstood. Unloopa isn't just a collection of tools. It's a quiet place to land — when your mind feels loud and your body feels overwhelming. It's a sanctuary for people like us.