I have a form of OCD where I have traumatic imagery flash into my mind hundreds of times a day. So unlike the OCD you often see depicted in movies, I have the intrusive/obsessive thoughts, but then not the compulsive behaviours.
The thoughts are often violent. I picture something awful happening, and then I experience the full trauma as if it actually happened. So every day, multiple times a day, I live the guilt of having harmed others in a very real, physical way, even though the events have never happened.
I’ve been able to get control over my thoughts through counselling and medications over the years. The biggest help has also always been animals. I have never had these intrusive thoughts towards animals, it’s always been positive experiences, so it’s like a break from my thoughts when i’m with them. They give me acceptance and a sense of shared joy.