Taken from the Introduction to Check Mates:
This is a collection of short fiction and poetry either about, inspired by or (in some cases) allegorical for the struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (and sometimes some of its counterparts) – all written by people with the condition. It is arranged into two categories, Realism and Beyond. In addition, one story happens to be non-fiction rewritten as short fiction. And whether solidly real or completely fictionalised, all work contained in this collection portrays the truth of the condition.
Like most other disorders, OCD is highly misunderstood by the general public and has a bad habit of being misleadingly depicted by the media. It is a neurological condition that consists of extreme levels of anxiety over often seemingly meaningless triggers. Superstitions, magic numbers, counting rituals, hoarding, excessive cleaning, checking things over and over, realigning things for the sake of symmetry – these are certainly all a major part of it. But you will find (as I did, when I discovered OCD Tribe – www.ocdtribe.com) that there is so much more to it, specifically the obsessive, debilitating dark and dangerous thoughts that convince us we’re about to kill someone whenever we try to use a knife to chop food for cooking, or that make us believe we want to hurt our children, or throw ourselves onto train tracks if we stand too close to the edge of the platform. Some people are too terrified even to leave the house, their brain chemistry has them so convinced they’re dangerous to society. And when one obsession leaves, another only comes to take its place.
There are varying degrees of the condition, just as there are varying forms. I hope this book will demonstrate that. I also hope you will see the vast array of reactions to the disorder. In this collection, you will find a diverse range of styles and genres, and a mix of rage, frustration, tears, violence, pain, heartache, subversion, love, strength, metaphysics, philosophy, friendship, hope, and even a bit of humour.
Published by: Conditional Publications - For Writers with Neurological Conditions, OCD, Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, AD/HD, Autism, Epilepsy, Bipolar Disorder or other related conditions...
Founded by: Vrinda Pendred
Website: here
