OCD sufferer eager to help other black men overcome taboos over mental health

A man who suffers from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) has made it his goal to raise awareness of the condition and encourage other black males to overcome the stigma to seek help. 

It was not until fairly recently that Shaun Flores, of Deeside Road, Tooting, had his condition diagnosed.

He is 28 but suffered for three years before finally confronting the dark thoughts which were making him feel suicidal and seeking therapy.  

OCD is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people and is regarded as a severe anxiety disorder but very often men from his ethnic background in particular, are expected to ‘man up’ rather than seek help, he says.

With international OCD Awareness week on the horizon this week, Shaun says it is a good time to drive home his message that it is best to confront the issue rather than pretend it does not exist. 

“OCD is quite a taboo topic,” Shaun told the South London Press. 

“Especially in my community, there is a cultural stigma when it comes to mental health. We tend to keep it quiet. But it’s important to face up to issues and speak up. 

“When I was diagnosed, it was a weight off my mind. Now I know it has a name, I know what it is and I know how to manage it and cope with those unwanted thoughts.” 

He added: “I have found not many black people, especially, speak out about OCD. As a young black man with a disability, a diverse range of people have reached out to me. I would like to continue sharing my experience with more audiences. 

“I was diagnosed with ‘PURE 0’, OCD, which refers to distressing internal intrusive thoughts. I locked myself away for days terrified, suffering from panic attacks, depressed, unable to eat or shower, convinced I would hurt myself and others.  

“I suffer from obsessive thoughts about my sexual orientation, and suicide which comes under the banner of “Harm OCD” – a subset of OCD which is incredibly distressing. I believed I was gay, a rapist and suicidal.  Ultimately believing I was the worst person in the world.” 

Even before his OCD was formally recognised, Shaun was giving seminars at Sheffield Hallam University’s TEDx lectures on how the ‘straitjackets of male masculinity,’ as he calls it, can get in the way of tackling mental health. And he now plans to give more. 

Shaun, who works for a foundation wanting to transform drug policy in the UK – and to legalise cannabis – also does voluntary work for the Orchard OCD charity to raise awareness and funds to help other sufferers. 

“There is an urgent need to develop new and better treatments, yet the field is severely underfunded and under-researched,” he said.

Pictured top: Shaun Flores (Picture: SFlores)