The trailer
See the war from inside.
An honest story about living with OCD - and finding peace.
For years, I lived with thoughts that would not stop, intrusive images, relentless doubt, invisible rituals that demanded completion before I was allowed to feel safe. From the outside, I looked disciplined and controlled. Inside, I was moments away from surrendering to myself, convinced that the fight inside me would never end.
No matter how deeply I tried to drown a thought, it always rose back to the surface to haunt me.
I believed suffering alone was proof of resilience.
I was wrong.
I Was My Own Enemy is the story of living at war with OCD. It is the story of how I turned anxiety, depression and what once felt like destiny, into the strength to rewrite my own path.
Sometimes I wish they knew what it took just to survive a single day inside my mind.
You are not alone.
An excerpt, reproduced
Find a copy on the shelves across Cyprus.
Recommended by Cyprus Bookworms Club·Shared by The Junior & Senior School
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”Plato
The conversation Cyprus can no longer avoid. A book of remarkable honesty that shows the human being behind the diagnosis, and asks the questions our society keeps whispering. If it helps even one person seek help, it will have achieved something extraordinary.
I just finished the book and I feel the need to share it with the whole world. It is a book that helps you understand anxiety and obsessive thoughts, not through medical terms, but through the honest soul of a young person. To realise how much someone can be suffering inside, and you would never know. It helped me “unlock” behaviours I saw around me, and to learn how to stand beside those people in a meaningful way. Bravo, Yiorgos!
“And today, after everything, I am still standing. I won.” This quote perfectly captures the emotional journey of this book. Powerful, raw and authentic, it offers a deeply personal perspective on living with OCD, beginning in the author’s darkest moments before evolving into a message of hope, healing and transformation. It reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, and alongside his story the author shares practical insights that make it both inspiring and genuinely helpful. Books like this challenge the stigma around mental health, and I hope this author’s courage inspires other young people to speak their truth. I truly believe this book has the power to change lives, just as it changed mine.
This book is a must-read. Yiorgo’s descriptions of compulsions and intrusive thought are described with such clarity that readers gain a vivid sense of how OCD can hijack everyday moments. The hardship, deterioration and despair that the reader feels as the stories unfold and described so eloquently, eventually give way to feelings of strength, hope and compassion. A truly inspiring book.
I bought and read your book today and it's so moving and affirming that someone speaks openly about OCD, because I have it too, and I know how debilitating it can be. Thank you for bringing awareness to this. I'm sure it will touch so many people.
I finished the book in one evening. I couldn't stop reading… Congratulations to Yiorgos for being so brave to overcome all this and brave enough to share it. It was really eye-opening. It will help not only people with OCD but us parents to understand our children better.
I just finished your book and I bow to your courage and your strength. There's no way I could say this without crying. Thank you for finding the strength to break the cycle and help yourself.
This book is extremely powerful, genuine and heartwarming. Knowing first hand that it's based on the author's - my son - real experience with OCD makes it so much more meaningful and relatable. This book offers comfort and understanding to anyone facing similar struggles while also sharing insight on what OCD really feels like, helping others feel less alone in their journey and motivating to overcome it. Sharp, well written, touching. A great read.
A powerful, heartfelt book that gives a real understanding of OCD and its impact on everyday life. His honesty and vulnerability make it both emotional and inspiring - an important read on mental health and resilience. Highly recommended.
Thank you for sharing your story so openly. I really admire your courage, and I'll be happy to spread it. I've also gone through difficult moments in my life, and I wish I had had the courage to share my story at your age. In the end, I believe we plant seeds, and each person is responsible for their own healing. Even reading your story has helped me continue my own journey, and I'm grateful for that. Today, I can say I have an almost perfect life. Life is still a roller coaster, but it gives me peace knowing that after a low point, things go up again. Thank you again, and sending you all my love. I wish you reach and inspire many, many others - you already did with me. From now on, believe you will touch more souls than you ever expected - just trust the process.
I am so proud of him - not only for facing it, but for having the courage to write about it so others can find the courage to overcome it. As someone who has suffered from OCD practically all my life, I can relate to so much of what I read. Bravo to him.
Honestly, the fact that it's already helping me while I'm reading it - that's the whole point. If it reaches one person and changes something for them, it was already worth it. If it reaches thousands, even better. With strength - keep pushing forward.
An extremely touching book with immense power. It made me feel less alone and helped me understand myself better. It is clear the author put much time and effort into this and understands how it is to be struggling, and seeing the shift in direction is very inspiring. Can't wait to read more!
This is an emotional and inspiring book that offers valuable insight into OCD and mental health. What stood out to me most was Yiorgos's raw honesty and vulnerability. His willingness to share his deepest fears and struggles takes courage, and his resilience and strength can be felt throughout every page. By telling his story so openly, he gives hope to others facing their own challenges and encourages them to seek help when they need it. Congratulations, Yiorgos, on this powerful and meaningful book. It is a reminder that while the mind can sometimes be our greatest enemy, it can also become our greatest source of strength!
I have just finished reading your book. So sorry you had to go through all of this alone from such a young age. Your book is very well written and emotional, showing that this tragic adventure made you a strong, mature young man with very high EQ. May Jesus Christ be always with you for the rest of your life!
I read Yiorgos's book this weekend. Amazing. My God, our children can suffer and we don't even know. Amazing maturity, courage and confidence to put it all out in the open. And let's not ignore the brilliance it takes to write a complete book at this young age while being a full-time student. Respect.
I read our Yiorgos's book. Very strong emotions and it moved me deeply. I don't have words. A real warrior to me, all these years.
Reviews shared from Amazon, Goodreads and readers' personal messages.
A look at the launch night, and the studio shoot that framed the book among the objects of the life it came from.