At the age of five, Anna had strep throat, a common infection that may have caused her to develop symptoms of OCD due to an uncommon neuropsychological disorder called PANDAS. From that point onward, she continued to grapple with a form of OCD known as scrupulosity, or religious OCD. These experiences shaped who she is by teaching her about the connection between mental and physical health. She learned the importance of acknowledging and conquering the fears that OCD feeds on, in order to regain control of her life.

TEDxCarrollCollege was filmed on March 14, 2020 under strict social distancing practices ordered by the local Montana government and Carroll College policy in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. These recordings were not open to the public.

Learn more about TEDxCarrollCollege by visiting www.tedxcarrollcollege.com or www.carroll.edu. Anna Wurzer was born in Fargo, ND to her two parents, Karen and Michael Wurzer, who have both lovingly raised her and provided her with endless support throughout her entire journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anna grew up aside her older sister, Claire, and a myriad of foster dogs that Anna rehabilitated and trained in her free time. Her passion for animals and for mental health led her to Carroll College to pursue a bachelor’s degree studying Anthrozoology and psychology. During Anna’s time at Carroll College, she has worked with many organizations, such as Youth Dynamics, Shodair Children’s Hospital, and Youth Aware of Mental Health, that help children learn how to effectively manage various forms of mental illnesses. Anna hopes to continue this work in the future by obtaining a Ph.D. in clinical psychology to further the research in the field and to counsel individuals striving to improve their mental health. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx