I've probably had about five OCD themes – it's a bit like wack-a-mole: you spend all your time and energy trying to get rid of one and another one just pops up.

I first noticed it when I was about 14. I come from a Christian family, and one night read in the Bible that women during that time had been told to shave their heads. I felt a huge fear of, "what if I'm supposed to shave my head". This turned into obsessive thoughts and ruminations about breaking the rules and not being 'good' if I didn't follow the rules.

Then, at 18, I had the thought: 'what if I'm attracted to females?' For a number of years, that became the prominent OCD theme. My mind would just go round and round, constantly analysing.

My turning point came when I went to see a psychologist: they diagnosed me with OCD and suggested exposure therapy. I did about 6 months of exposure therapy, and it really reduced those thoughts and helped me manage the feelings of anxiety.

Today, I'm actually a therapist, helping others with their mental health. I would say I live with OCD, but I am much more able to manage it - it no longer controls me.

*Name has been changed.