Vanderpump Rules alum Scheana Shay wants others living with OCD know they are not alone.
In an interview with Matthew Antonelli from the International OCD Foundation, Scheana opened up about how having Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder has shaped both her personal and professional life.
Scheana used her platform to talk about OCD:
VPR used Scheana’s battle with post-partum OCD as a plot point on the show, which raised a great deal of awareness. “I’m so thankful to the network and the producers for showing this story,” explained Scheana.
You don’t hear this from reality stars often, but she was grateful for the edit! “So many things get left on the cutting room floor. So many things don’t make it into the show.”
“But, the fact that this is part of my story more than any other story that’s been told on 11 seasons of Vanderpump Rules, the fact that this made it in, I’m so proud of and I’m just so happy that it’s helping so many people.”
The impact of Scheana sharing her journey with OCD:
The interview noted, “There are people who you are helping every day” to Scheana. “That’s why I do this,” responded Summer Moon‘s mom. “That’s why I’ve always wanted to have a platform …. to literally be able to help others know that they’re not alone.”
“So many people do suffer in silence because they’re afraid to speak up. They’re afraid to tell someone what’s going on in their head because they don’t want to seem crazy. I didn’t want someone to think I wanted to harm my child … it was a terrifying thing to open up about.”
The struggles Scheana endured as a result of OCD:
CONTENT WARNING- pregnancy loss
“I feel like having a miscarriage definitely was one of the triggers. When I got pregnant again [with SM], the entire time I was pregnant, I was worried that I was also going to lose this baby.”
“I didn’t open up about any of this because I just, I didn’t want it to be real. I didn’t want to admit the things that were going on inside my head. And it was definitely a struggle to open up about.”
Scheana added, “doing things alone with my daughter has been the most challenging. Because no matter what we’re doing, something could go wrong at any moment. I feel like that has been one of the hardest things to just accept. Things are out of your control.”
“If I live my life in fear, then I’m really not living.”
Medicine:
Scheana disclosed, “I’m back on Zoloft and proud to talk about it.”
“I just don’t want there to be a stigma around being on an SSRI or any medication. It’s there for a reason.”
If you or someone you know needs support managing OCD, the International OCD Foundation is available.
