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When a piece of popcorn destroys my day

Typical OCD moment for me:

I feel a piece of popcorn stuck to the back of a tooth I can barely reach with my tongue and I freak out.

My mind spins rapidly and I obsess over tying to get the popcorn out. I keep trying to dislodge it with my tongue even though I know the more I contort my face, the more likely my jaw will start hurting. Even when it does start hurting, I keep doing it.

Then OCD's voice gains strength

"Remember that guy you used to work with who said he got a piece of popcorn stuck in his teeth one day and needed root canal the next? He said he was kidding, but you doubt it, don't you. It could happen."

"Are you going to make an appointment with the dentist just to get food unstuck? How embarrassing."

"If you don't get it out, it could cause an infection. Then you might need surgery."

"You shouldn't have eaten the popcorn in the first place. This is your fault."

Meanwhile, I have a searing pain in my left thumb that I'm pretty sure has to do with my pinched nerves and degenerative spine. But, of course, with OCD the popcorn takes priority.


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