Debunking OCD Myths and Misconceptions
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, commonly known as OCD, is a mental health condition that affects about 2.2 million people in the United States, and millions of people around the world. Despite its widespread prevalence, OCD still remains shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. OCD as a mental health diagnosis is often misunderstood, misrepresented, and prone to stereotyping, stigmatization, and misinformation.
Many people associate OCD with being overly neat or organized, but in reality, it's much more complex and debilitating than that. Fortunately, with the right support and treatment options, most people diagnosed with OCD can live typical and successful lives.
Today, LunaJoy aims to debunk OCD myths and misconceptions to promote a positive, safe space to understand and process this mental health condition, whether it affects you or a loved one. In this blog, we'll delve into the world of OCD and shed light on what it really means to live with this condition.
Before you begin, remember that our professionals are always here to help
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
People with OCD experience obsessions, compulsions, and obsessive thoughts that can cause distress and anxiety. Many people with OCD manage this anxiety and compulsions by performing rituals to ease their anxiety and suppress the obsessive thoughts.
These rituals can be physical—meaning, visible to others—or they can be mental behaviors. Common obsessions include cleanliness, contamination, and need for symmetry. Silencing these intrusive thoughts can be time-consuming and distressful.
However, these symptoms and actions are still widely misunderstood. OCD is more than wanting to fix a crooked frame on the wall or appreciating an organized spice drawer. By identifying myths, stereotypes, and misconceptions, we can help destigmatize this diagnosis, create a safe space for conversations regarding OCD and have a better, more accurate, understanding of OCD and how to support people affected by it.
Debunking OCD Myths & Misconceptions
Let’s tackle some common myths surrounding this diagnosis to educate ourselves and properly support people with this diagnosis.
Myth #1 OCD is just a quirky personality trait.
Many people believe that OCD is simply a quirky personality trait that makes a person overly organized or meticulous. But “being” OCD is not a personality trait. Being a “neat freak” or perfectionist does not equate to having OCD. These kinds of statements can be offensive to those diagnosed with OCD, and perpetuate these myths and misconceptions.
Myth #2 People with OCD are dysfunctional.
Many people think that people diagnosed with OCD are unable to live normal, typical lives because their compulsions and rituals interfere with regular daily living activities, socialization and relationships. For many reasons, this is untrue. People with OCD still strive for normalcy, their normal just looks a little different. With OCD treatment, many people with OCD are able to manage their symptoms, ease their anxiety and live “normal” lives, unaffected by their diagnosis.
Myth #3 There is no treatment for OCD.
So how do people with OCD live these “normal” lives? With treatment. A common myth is that there is no treatment for these obsessive thoughts and compulsions. That people with OCD just need to “relax.” About 90% of people with OCD also have some sort of anxiety disorder. Therefore, managing anxiety is a big part of OCD treatment. The most common course of treatment is a combination of medication, like SSRIs, and psychotherapy, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to process, understand and challenge obsessive/compulsive thoughts and actions.
Myth #4 OCD is always about cleanliness.
When you hear “OCD,” what do you think of? Many people think of someone washing their hands 100s of times a day, or spending their days organizing and cleaning their surroundings. Though these are common compulsions/obsessions people with OCD are faced with, compulsions faced by those living with OCD are not limited to cleanliness. These rituals can be regarding counting or specific numbers, (for example, checking if the door is locked exactly 8 times), or any repetitive action an individual partakes in to ease the anxiety accompanied by an obsession.
There are instances where a “typical” or “normal” individual experiences the same behaviors as someone diagnosed with OCD. For example, checking to make sure you turned the oven off after cooking and being fixated on the oven until you are able to do so. However, this alone is not indicative, or even enough criteria to formally diagnose someone with OCD.
Destigmatizing OCD
By being an informed individual and understanding OCD myths and misconceptions, you can stop perpetuating an incorrect stereotype and stigma surrounding an OCD diagnosis. Declaring you have “a touch of OCD” because you are a self-proclaimed “neat freak” is an incorrect and misleading perception of what OCD is.
OCD is anxiety, fear, struggle for control over one’s thoughts and actions, rituals that can become obstructions to regular daily functioning, and compulsions that one knows perhaps are irrational but provide some relief and intrusive thoughts. OCD is still widely misunderstood and stereotyped. This is why identifying myths and misconceptions are so important; to normalize this diagnosis and to be informed on mental health. If you are someone you know dealing with unmanaged OCD, there are treatment options available to help live a full, happy life.
