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Sleeping-with-ROCD

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Much of my recollection of my childhood involves being<br />

locked in my bedroom. In thinking back, the majority of my<br />

memories are of moments that took place while I was isolated<br />

in my room. These are simply things that I did to pass<br />

the time, such as experimenting <strong>with</strong> the effects the Sun<br />

had on my eyesight due to over-exposure, determining the<br />

average length of a song on the radio, and other things one<br />

does when bored. I spent a lot of time alone and bored.<br />

When locked in my room, I would lay down beside the<br />

door and watch through the crack between the floor and the<br />

door out of boredom. When I needed to go to the bathroom,<br />

getting attention usually required 10 to 15 minutes of repeated<br />

calls to him that I had to go. I would even see him<br />

walk by the door as I was calling out, not responding to me.<br />

The experiences directly involving my step-father were<br />

usually troublesome. One, in particular, was what I encountered<br />

when asking for more water at supper. I was<br />

about 7 years old when this occurred. When I sat down to<br />

dinner, I noticed that my glass of water was low. I asked<br />

him if I could have more water. His response was that I<br />

should be happy <strong>with</strong> what I got. I was then punished by<br />

being forced to drink water, by the pitcher-full, until I<br />

threw up.<br />

From that time, I never asked him for anything. I feared<br />

asking him for anything. I think this developed into a belief<br />

that I didn't deserve much, which had an effect on my selfesteem<br />

for much of my earlier years – even into adult-hood.<br />

I recall another experience, wherein I snuck a cookie from<br />

the kitchen when no one was watching. I don't remember<br />

44

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