Cerys Pumphrey is terrified of dirt and suffers from OCD which leads her to repeatedly wash herself.
A teen who washes her hands up to 50 times a day has told how she is terrified of dirt.
Cerys Pumphrey, 17, from Bournemouth, suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) meaning she struggles with repetitive behaviour and obsessive thoughts.
She has spoken out about her struggle with the mental health disorder in a film created by Fixers, the charity which gives young people a voice, in a bid to reach out and help other sufferers.
Cerys says: “When you suffer from a mental health disorder it’s easy to feel isolated, like you’re going through it all by yourself.
“So I’m urging young people to speak to someone about it and seek help. You don’t have to go it alone.”
Cerys first showed signs of compulsive behaviour when she was a toddler.
She says: “I’d organise and colour-coordinate all my pens and if there was one out of place I’d get really upset.”
Later Cerys’ thoughts became consumed with cleanliness.
She says: “I’m terrified of dirt. If I bump into someone in the street and they look dirty, I can’t wait to get home to shower afterwards.
“Once, I dropped my phone down the toilet and I instinctively reached out and grabbed it. The feeling was unbearable and I ended up washing my hands about 50 times that day.
“Opening doors is really difficult too. Usually I’ll get someone else to do it for me, but if no-one’s around I’ll have to open it then go and wash my hand afterwards.”
Cerys also struggles with obsessive thoughts.
She says: “Whenever I say goodbye to someone I care about, I have to say ‘I love you’, just in case I never see them again.
“I know all my thoughts are irrational, but they’re almost impossible to control.”
To help deal with OCD, Cerys began receiving therapy a year and a half ago after pals urged her to speak to her GP.
She says: “My family and friends have been really supportive and encouraged me to seek treatment. Although none of them suffer from OCD, it really helps to me to be open about what I’m going through.”
Fixers works with young people aged 16-25 across the UK and provides them with resources to help them campaign on issues they feel strongly about.
Visit www.fixers.org.uk for more information.
