12 Step Program

A few things happen after you come out to the world about your malfunctioning brain*:

1. There is an immediate sense of relief--finally, you don't have to carry this burden by yourself.
2. There is an immediate sense of dread--Good job stupid, now EVERYONE KNOWS you are broken.
3. Your mum will call you more often "just to chat".
4. The people you tell will treat you differently. It will be subtle, but perceivable. You will get the sense that you are a time bomb, or a delicate piece of fine china; either way, people will be afraid of breathing around you, lest they set you off or perhaps break you. 
5. Alternately, it will be the only thing people want to talk about with you. You will feel like a specimen on a dissecting table, being picked apart and examined by rough, untrained hands.
6. Whichever way people react, the demon in your brain will be at the helm of your every interaction for the next little bit.
7. You won't tell some people. This will allow you to retain a sense of normalcy in your interactions, but will also make you feel like you are lying. You cannot have your cake and eat it too. 
8. You will feel vulnerable, and exposed. The demon has done a good job of convincing you that speaking its name will alienate you. You do not operate on a platform of full disclosure, instead you are a master of smoke and mirrors.This will be new, terrifying territory for you.
9. You will be plagued by self doubt and second guessing. This is the work of the demon again. You're not really that sick. Let's be honest, you're doing this for attention. So many people have it so much worse than you, why are you being so pathetic about this? It isn't that big of a deal.
10. You will take avoidance naps to get away from your brain spinning at 150 mph. It will only work as long as you stay asleep. You'll make up for lost time at 3am, when the stars have aligned to allow for perfect obsessing conditions. This will be inescapable. You must put in your time, you have a quota to fill.
11. You will over-analyze every single movement, decision, and mood you feel. What is you? What is the demon? Where is the line? Is there even a line? You don't know which possibility is scarier.
12. You will have to make an appointment to see your doctor.

*experiences may vary.