Category Archives: OCD

The weighted blanket

By Mark | February 14, 2017

This year, for my birthday, Linette ordered a “weighted blanket” for me. Well, it came today, and I’m laying under it right now, struggling to fill my lungs. I can see the appeal. It’s comforting. It’s like the lead apron you have to wear at the dentist’s office when you’re having X-rays taken. I’ve yet […]

Also posted in Mark's Life, Uncategorized | Tagged Arlo, hug machine, Linette, Mark's birthday, mental health, OCD blogger, serotonin, sleep, Temple Grandin, weighted blanket | 3 Comments

On being named one of the Detroit area’s “influential independent journalists”

By Mark | March 3, 2016

I somehow got cited as being one of the Detroit area’s “most influential independent journalists” in Metormode today, alongside Curt Guyette, of the ACLU, and Steve Neavling, of Motor City Muckraker, both of whom do fantastic, serious work. I’m not sure why I was selected for this honor. Maybe I was meant to represent all […]

Also posted in Mark's Life, Media, Uncategorized | Tagged ACLU, ACLU Michigan, Curt Guyette, Doug Coombe, future of journalism, independent journalism, journalism, Metromode, Motor City Muckraker, OCD, Patrick Dunn, photos of Mark, Steve Neavling, the sad state of journalism, underwear | 34 Comments

DIY bowling in Depot Town

By Mark | August 16, 2015

What would you do if, in the early morning hours, before anyone was out and about, you found a bowling ball in the middle of a Depot Town sidewalk while walking your dog? Would you A) seize the opportunity, do your best Fred Flintstone impersonation, and hurl it down the sidewalk with giddy abandon? Or […]

Also posted in Mark's Life, Uncategorized | Tagged bowling, bowling balls, OCD, Ollie, worst case scenario | 5 Comments

Worst Case Scenario Thinking: rooftop play structure edition

By Mark | December 3, 2014

One of the nice things about having OCD is being able, in any situation, to instantly determine the absolute worse thing that could possibly happen. These ideas, at least in my experience, just kind of effortlessly flow through the mind of the obsessive. In my case, it’s gotten to the point where I hardly even […]

Also posted in Mark's Life, Observations, Uncategorized | Tagged fear of heights, OCD blogger, play structures, worry, worst case scenario | 2 Comments

Talking mental illness, stigma, suicide and personalized treatment options with John Greden, executive director of the U-M Depression Center

By Mark | November 13, 2014

In the immediately aftermath of Robin Williams’ death, there was a great deal of talk in the press about suicide, depression, and the fact that the two, all too often, go hand in hand. As someone who not only suffers from OCD and depression, but who has also lost several members of his family to […]