Interview with Alexandra Stiles, July 9, 2018

Interview Summary

Alexandra Stiles talks about when she remembers her symptoms of anxiety and OCD first manifesting. She talks about her separation anxiety of leaving her mother to go to kindergarten leading to an obsession with germs and hand washing. She talks about her obsessive thoughts connecting numbers, light switches, and her fear of the death of her mother. Stiles talks about finally seeking treatment for her mental health when she began college. She talks about stereotypes of OCD and how OCD is misunderstood in our society. Stiles talks about speaking openly about her struggles with mental health to friends and others. She talks about ways of coping with her symptoms and flare-ups in addition to her medication. Stiles talks about our society's culture towards mental health and the lack of compassion regarding mental health issues, especially in a work environment. She talks about her opinions on various terms regarding mental health.

Interview Keyword

Small business--Kentucky Small business--Ownership Education Separation anxiety. Separation anxiety in children

Interview LC Subject

Childhood Obsessive-compulsive disorder Anxiety disorders Child mental health Compulsive behavior Mental health Anxiety--Treatment Obsessive-compulsive disorder--Treatment Families Mental illness

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.