{
  "id": 4764001,
  "title": "What it's really like to live with obsessive-compulsive disorder",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/what-its-really-like-to-live-with-obsessive-compulsive-disorder",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T01:52:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-01/matthew-wright-perspective-living-with-ocd/106934778"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Matthew Wright, a senior firefighter from Sydney, had been living a seemingly normal life as a husband, father, and friend. However, he was silently battling obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that took over his life, consuming over five hours daily with compulsions. His journey with OCD began in 2020 after a near-miss accident on the road, where his mind convinced him he had caused an accident due to unseen potholes. Initially, he avoided driving for months, using a dash cam to regain confidence. But compulsions followed, making him rewatch every drive, ashamed and afraid to share his struggles with the world, fearing judgment. The loss of his daughter Mia in 2023 and the birth of their daughter Willow in 2024 further exacerbated his condition. The death of his dog Archie, which he considered a lifesaver, triggered an obsession with protecting Willow from germs and illness, causing him to spend hours washing his hands and changing clothes. His life became an endless cycle of fear, obligation, and anxiety. Seeking help, he started seeing a psychologist and eventually joined the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. Through exposure therapy and medication, he gradually regained control over his life, tackling his compulsions step by step. Now, Matthew uses his personal experience to help others understand OCD, challenging misconceptions and encouraging empathy.",
  "summary": "Matthew Wright says to many in his life he appeared calm and capable, while he was privately spending hours each day trapped in compulsions.",
  "key_points": [
    "Matthew Wright battled OCD for over five hours daily, consuming his life.",
    "Compulsions began after a near-miss accident in 2020, making him avoid driving.",
    "Seeking help, he joined a clinical research unit, regaining control through therapy."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Matthew Wright's journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder highlights the debilitating nature of the condition and the importance of seeking help, as he regained control over his life through therapy and medication.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}