Five and a half years ago in Yuma, Arizona. That is where my journey as a military spouse began. My journey with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? That started much earlier…
My name is Mackenzie Nordone. I am the mother of two beautiful baby girls, the wife of a United States Marine, and I also suffer from OCD.
I want you to take a moment to imagine your worst fear. Now, imagine that fear coming true. An individual that struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is in a constant battle with themselves day in and day out. To someone struggling with OCD, their worst fear coming true seems inevitable unless they give in to the never ending cycle of intrusive thoughts and relentless compulsions that come along with the disorder. Mental health as a whole has been branded with a stigma. A stigma that I am passionate about breaking. If you have never experienced obsessions and compulsions related to OCD, it is very hard to explain how debilitating it is.
Before I married my husband I was very co-dependent. Individuals that struggle with OCD often find themselves constantly seeking reassurance, I am one of those individuals. Well, two seven-month deployments and a three-month long Drill Instructor school meant a lot of time to myself. In turn, I had no one there to constantly seek reassurance from. I struggled at first, but that situation ultimately forced me to find myself. It forced me to find a strength inside of me that I did not know I possessed.
Currently, we are stationed aboard MCRD Parris Island. My husband is serving as a Drill Instructor. Before my husband’s tour as a DI began, we were told by friends how stressful it would be on our family, how it would feel like another deployment, and how little we would actually get to see one another. Do not get me wrong, this tour has not been easy on our family by any means, but I am a firm believer in the fact that each duty station is what you make of it. We were blessed to become part of a battalion that had an amazing family readiness program. The past three years on Parris Island have allowed me to continue to find my independence, work on my communication, and push myself out of my comfort zone.
Our military lifestyle has helped me cope with my OCD in many ways. Most importantly though, it has helped me to get involved in the military spouse community, and it has also allowed me the opportunity to foster lifelong friendships that have helped me grow into the strong woman I am today. Becoming a military spouse has forced me to become self-reliant, and I am forever grateful for that. Over the past five years, I have been able to slowly take my power back. I have learned that I am strong enough not to let my OCD define me, and I have found a passion for helping others find that strength as well. Quite frankly, OCD is a thief. It robs you of precious time and precious memories. If our military lifestyle has taught me anything, it is to cherish every moment. Life is short. I refuse to waste time being afraid to live it.
