Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) a person feels driven to perform to reduce anxiety.

OCD affects about 2–3% of the global population. With proper treatment — primarily ERP therapy — most people see significant improvement.

OCD is not about being 'a little obsessive.' The thoughts are unwanted, distressing, and ego-dystonic — completely at odds with the person's true values and character.

Click any card to read the full in-depth guide for that type.

OCD symptoms fall into obsessions and compulsions. Most people experience both.

OCD is highly treatable. Most people respond well to ERP therapy and/or medication.

Real experiences from people living with OCD. Names changed for privacy.

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Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a complex dissociative condition where a person experiences two or more distinct identity states or parts, along with memory gaps or disruptions in sense of self, perception, control, or everyday functioning that go beyond ordinary forgetfulness.

DID is strongly associated with overwhelming trauma or stress, especially when it begins early in life, though each person's history and memory can be complex. Dissociation can be the nervous system's way of surviving what was too much to process alone.

DID is not roleplay, attention-seeking, or being 'multiple personalities' in a dramatic movie sense. It is a real mental health condition that deserves careful, trauma-informed support.

DID can look quiet from the outside. Many people spend years masking, explaining away memory gaps, or assuming everyone experiences their mind this way.

Many people with DID describe themselves as a system. Different parts may hold different memories, emotions, ages, roles, needs, skills, or ways of relating to the world.

Grounding can help during dissociation, flashbacks, derealization, or after a switch. Go gently: forcing yourself too hard can increase panic.

• 1Name the date, place, and one safe fact: 'It is today. I am in my room. The danger is not happening now.'
• 2Use sensory anchors: cold water, textured fabric, a familiar scent, weighted pressure, or feet pressed into the floor.
• 3Write a short orientation note for yourself or other parts: where you are, what happened, and what helps next.
• 4Lower demands after dissociation. Food, water, rest, and quiet count as real support.

DID support usually works best with a trauma-informed therapist who understands dissociation. Clinical guidance commonly recommends a phase-oriented approach: safety, stabilization, emotional regulation, internal cooperation, and reducing crisis before deeper trauma processing.

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This guide is educational and is written to align with recognised clinical descriptions of dissociative disorders, while keeping the language gentle and non-sensational.

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Fill in whatever feels useful. This is not a medical or crisis safety plan, but it can help you explain what supports you when words are hard.

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The information on JourHelp is shared for awareness, reflection, and education. It is based on personal insights and general information about autism, OCD, DID, mental health, coping strategies, and support options.

JourHelp does not provide medical, psychological, therapeutic, diagnostic, or crisis-care services. Nothing on this website should be used to diagnose yourself or someone else, start or stop treatment, change medication, or replace guidance from a qualified professional.

Autism, OCD, and DID can look different for every person. If something you read here feels familiar, confusing, upsetting, or urgent, please speak with a doctor, psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, or another qualified mental health professional.

• If you are in immediate danger, feel unable to stay safe, or are worried you may harm yourself or someone else, contact local emergency services now.
• If you are experiencing intense distress, panic, suicidal thoughts, compulsions that feel unmanageable, or a major change in your mental health, seek professional support as soon as possible.
• If you are already receiving care, use JourHelp only as extra reflection material alongside the plan you have made with your professional support team.

My name is Julie Janssen. I study software development at SintLucas in Eindhoven and I am interested in web development, game development, mental health awareness, and autism support.

I have always experienced the world a little differently. After professional assessment, I was diagnosed with an unspecified neurodevelopmental condition. Many of my traits closely align with autism. While I do not hold a formal autism diagnosis due to strict diagnostic criteria around early childhood documentation, I deeply relate to autistic experiences. This perspective plays an important role in how I understand and support others, and is reflected in the work I create through JourHelp.

Outside of coding, I enjoy writing stories, listening to music, and connecting with people. I care about making information feel less cold, less overwhelming, and easier to start with.

JourHelp is my website for calm, personal information about OCD, autism, DID, and neurodevelopmental or mental health experiences. I created it because, for a long time, I did not feel like my neurodivergent experience was understood. I often felt different, like I did not fully belong. Learning about autism changed my life, and I wanted to create something that could help at least one person feel less alone.

I wanted a place where OCD, autism, DID, and support needs could be explained in a calm, personal, and respectful way. My goal is not to replace professional care, but to help people find language, recognition, and a softer place to begin.

I base my work on both personal experience and ongoing research into psychology and neurodivergence.

Autism is especially close to the heart of JourHelp. I want this site to support people who are diagnosed, questioning, self-recognizing after extensive research, late-identified, masking, burned out, or simply trying to understand themselves better.