1. This or this (or this, or this… and on and on).
2. A choice.
OCD stands for obsessive compulsive disorder. As our executive director likes to say, emphasis on the capitol D for disorder. Obsessive and compulsive traits on their own are not a mental illness — we all have things that perhaps we obsess over, (constantly replaying a recent job interview or date in one’s head, examining every last detail for clues to what the person thought, re-writing the same paragraph over and over to make sure the essay or report is JUST right). But for a person with OCD they can’t just “snap out of it.” Research has shown that the brain of a person with OCD actually functions differently in this situation, essentially getting “stuck” on a thought. These thoughts are linked with intense anxiety driving the individual with OCD to engage in compulsive behavior – their only escape. A person with OCD doesn’t obsessively clean their kitchen just because they like it to be clean. A person with OCD is overwhelmed with anxiety and fear about what will happen if they don’t clean their kitchen properly. Imagine being so consumed about something (such as the previously mentioned job interview, first date, essay, or cleaning the kitchen) that you literally could think of nothing else until you felt sure of the outcome you needed…. so caught up in the thoughts and worries that you could not go to work, or go meet friends, or perhaps even leave the house, because your brain was essentially on overdrive, and completely fixated on that one thing. I am “obsessive.” However, I recognize this as part of my personality and when things don’t go my way, even if I find it upsetting, I do not feel a crushing, debilitating wave of anxiety as a result.
3. A quirk.
I had a roommate in college who color-coded all of her textbooks on our bookshelves. Instead of being organized by class or subject or author, they were literally organized by the colors of the rainbow. Perhaps not a practical index system, but it seemed to make her happy. This is not OCD. It’s funny, quirky, perhaps impractical, but she didn’t organize the books this way because she felt compelled to do so out of a need to alleviate deep-seated anxiety. She just liked the colors.
Likewise, I have a thing about kitchen sponges. My house has one sponge for washing dishes, and one sponge for cleaning the counters, and it annoys the hell out of me if people use the wrong sponge for the wrong thing (also, it’s gross). I have a thing about germs, but this is not OCD. If someone uses the wrong sponge, I throw it away and get a new sponge (and perhaps re-wash the plate that just touched the gross counter sponge) — problem solved. For someone with OCD, there is no obvious “problem solved” moment. Once triggered, their OCD would necessitate doing an elaborate ritual to undo the mistake that was made. These “rituals” aren’t indulgences. A person with OCD doesn’t clean the same corner of the kitchen counter 100 times for fun — they do it because they are terrified about what will happen if they don’t. Perhaps they think they will catch a communicable disease, or worse, give a disease to someone in their family, because they cooked dinner in a kitchen that carried these terrible germs — even when they “know” it isn’t true! OCD isn’t about logic — it’s about anxiety.
Have you ever let your mind wander to the worst possible outcome in a given situation? For example, I’ve been stuck on a bus in traffic and imagined being stuck there forever — playing out Lord of the Flies scenarios in my mind with fellow passengers. This “doomsday” thinking is the bread and butter of someone with OCD. The brain can’t help but go to this deep dark place, no matter the situation. THAT IS NOT QUIRKY. It’s torturous.
4. A synonym for anal-retentive, neatnik, cleanfreak, etc., etc.
This is how the term OCD is often misused in pop culture. It has somehow become a synonym for uptight. OCD is not alone is this — think for a second if you’ve ever described someone as bipolar or schizophrenic when you meant “moody.” Can you imagine if we started using the term cancer this way? Mental illness can be just as devastating to a person and their family as cancer — it interrupts lives, derails plans, and in extreme cases can lead to a person taking their own life.
5. A joke.
Despite the severity of OCD and other mental disorders, many people do not get help. Why? Because of stigma. People with OCD and other disorders are often afraid to speak up, afraid to ask for help, and ashamed that they are somehow defective. In fact, some studies have shown that only 1 in 3 individuals with OCD will tell their medical provider about their OCD symptoms. Why is it okay in our society to publicly and proudly fight cancer, but not mental illness? Why is a disease of the brain any less real or important than a disease of the body.
Unfortunately, joking about mental illness is part of the problem. It perpetuates the idea that OCD is something that someone should be able to just “get over” already. It infers that a person who can’t get over it is somehow weak or defective. It makes people hide their illness from friends and family, despite the fact that a strong support network is often the thing that makes treatment work.
Because OCD is treatable. Many people respond well to therapy, some to medication, and some to a mix of both. It is possible to recover from OCD and live a full and productive life. Sadly, on average it takes people between 14 to 17 years between the onset of symptoms and gaining access to effective treatment. Why are we letting all of those years be wasted?
Until we can stop the cycle of stigma, ignorance, and insensitivity, mental illness will continue to be the cancer that eats away at lives.
AMEN!!!! When, oh when, will people understand (or at least try to) that OCD is life altering and absolutely NOT a joke!
I hate it when people think that OCD is a joke!
I was 8 when all mine started, I also have trichotillomania, & OCD. The hyper focus is so draining, the anxiety through the roof & the deep depression. When I hear someone say “just don’t do it” I could explode. It is my deep dark secret, all of it. It hurts so bad to feel like this, I’m 55 now! 8-55 feeling like this everyday! THIS IS NOT FUNNY! There are days I just do NOT want to be……at all! My faith in GOD is the only reason I am still alive!
Educate your selves, those who think this is a joke!!!
wow you are a iperational person. you have inspired me to face my OCD head on and not let it take me away feom enjoying my life you are tru
I liked an Aussie humor page on Facebook. In the last two weeks, I have seen “humorous” ecards from this site posted saying, “If you’re OCD and you know it wash your hands” and “I’m starting group meetings at my house for people with OCD. Not because I have it, but surely one of them will be bothered enough to clean it.” I have posted both times that these comments aren’t funny, but hurtful to those of us who have a real, debilitating illness. After all, you wouldn’t post “If you’re going through chemo, just throw up.” So why post something like that about a mental illness that is a burden, not a choice?
A fellow OCD sufferer responded that she thought a sense of humor was a good thing. I agreed. but too many misconceptions abound about OCD to think that either of these comments were actually funny. She said her OCD was under control, but for those whose symptoms are still difficult to manage daily, these kinds of postings both are painful and perpetuate the myths that in turn must be corrected by postings like yours here.
Thank you for such a concise and accurate blog post about something that has robbed too much from too many of us. Hopefully someday we will be seen as those who suffer from a legitimate illness and not just a “quirky” personality.
OCD International is such a great resource. I’m an outpatient therapist, and I utilize the resources all the time to give credible information, linkage, and hope to families that I serve. I’ll be printing up this post to give to some of my current clients.
My 12 year old was diagnosed with ocd about a year ago. It is NOT a compulsive cleaning disorder. In fact, her ocd I think if as being more chaotic. The couches must be a set distance from the wall, and vacuuming cannot leave lines in the carpet. I never suspected ocd, but the more I learn about it, the more it makes sense when I look at the fail picture
OCD is not a joke. It creates tremendous suffering and profoundly affects people’s lives. There is effective treatment, ADAA and IOCDF are also great resources for education and treatment and provide a source of hope. Anxiety is treatable-don’t give up!
This perfectly written…Thank you!
For me, I also count in my head, it could be tiles, anything, everything. I don’t have the cleaning tic..I wish! I have regiments, which have an order (sensible or not), I an order that I have to do certain things. If it is deviated in any manner, It freaks me out, I have to start all over, or something horrible will happen. My heart beats faster, I become agitated quick. I have been to Therapists, Psyc’s, Behavior training, every pill made for my symptoms. Nothing works, I get my peace in prayer. I am so happy that in the last 10 years, I have found out I AM NOT ALONE, & THERE IS A NAME FOR IT! I have lived 45 years in the dark alone. The medical community had no name for this disease, back then…early 60′s. I am totally greatfull for Blog’s like this, & all the websites. Thank You All Liz Hood
There is a seriously long way to go for people to even begin to fully understand OCD and mental illness. Employers need serious educating from my experience.
Thank you for this easy-to-understand article. I now understand OCD and can apply this!
Out of curiosity, what kind of treatments are prescribed for OCD? Is is more of a mental issue?
Ram
Social Security Disability Help
OCD can be treated with medication or with a type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy. Often it is a combination of both. You can read more about how OCD is treated on our website here: http://www.ocfoundation.org/CBT.aspx
If you were reading this because you think you have OCD then in my opinion you are probably right. Talk to someone about it now without shame . You are allowed to be you! I am a teacher and I want you to know that you can get help to overcome this. Take care of yourself! Talk to someone! You’re not alone.
My OCD was at it’s worst around 20 years ago when I was completly homebound. However,
I was fortunate – my family got me into outpatient treatment with a very knowledgable ocd specialist.
I was able to `break out’ of the worst of the ocd within a year or two with a combination of
behavioral treatment and medication. My case of ocd has been relatively calm since 1994,
and I have been able to live my dream of building a small house from scratch since then – I’m
not kidding.
So based on my personal experience, it IS possible to live a relatively normal life with ocd
after medication and treatment. Just so you know, behavioral treatment does NOT have to
be a painful process. My ocd specialist used a tactic of behavioral therapy called `baby steps’,
meaning gradually eliminating fears over a period of time – just like how ocd gradually
progresses over time. However, it was a lot easier to accomplish this with medication.
Point being – don’t be afraid to seek help because of the stigma and shame, because those things
just arn’t worth a person’s life being destroyed by this dibilitating condition. Good luck to you.
i’m having troubles leaving the house! i’m afraid it’s going to get to the place that i will never leave what did you do to over come this?
Hi Mandy
I was only able to exit my house once a month to go out on
errands and stock up on groceries – I used one of those times on
one particular month to do all of those things along with making
the first appointment with the ocd specialist, and that was the
turning point for me.
He prescribed medication on the first visit, and he scheduled me
to see him once every two weeks. Things gradually progressed
from there. It improved from once every two weeks to once every
two days after a few months.
It’s important to note that I had a few relatives go along with me
during the first appointment – so any kind of positive support,
whether it’s from family, friends, or other people with ocd, played
an important role with overcoming my case of ocd along with the
meds and tharapy.
Good luck with your case.
Kai
Hi Mandy-
We have a few resources that may be of help. Some therapists will actually visit your home to provide treatment. You can search our treatment provider database to see if there is someone near you who conducts home visits: http://ocfoundation.org/treatment_providers.aspx (select “Home Visits” from the drop-down menu under Treatment Strategies). There are also online and phone-based support groups that may be of help: http://ocfoundation.org/yahoo.aspx. Some therapists even conduct sessions via Skype nowadays, so that is something else you can ask about. If you have more questions, feel free to email us at info@ocfoundation.org