OCD: A SERIOUS DISORDER, NOT A QUIRK OR A JOKE
April Vass • October 12, 2023

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, commonly known as OCD, is a term that sadly, has been misunderstood and misused in our day to day language.

It’s time we all understood the seriousness of OCD and stopped using it as a casual term! OCD is not a trend, it’s not a joke, and it’s not a quirk or personality trait. Let’s all take a moment to educate ourselves and others about OCD and promote a more respectful and empathetic conversation about mental health.

OCD is characterized by a pattern of unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). People with OCD may try to ignore or stop their obsessions, but that only increases their distress and anxiety. They feel driven to perform compulsive acts in an effort to ease their stress or prevent the situation they fear. OCD often centers around themes such as a fear of judgement or harm, to name a few.

Despite the severity of OCD, it is often trivialized in popular culture. Phrases like “I’m so OCD about my desk” or “She’s OCD about her cleanliness” are commonly used, without understanding the true implications of the disorder. This misuse contributes to the stigma around mental health, making it harder for those truly suffering from OCD to seek help and be taken seriously.

When left untreated OCD can take over ones life, impacting day to day functioning. Obsessions becoming constant and disabling and compulsions feeling urgent and causing taking an excessive amount of time. OCD can interfere with ones work, school, personal relationships, and more. OCD can cause significant distress and even lead to other mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.

OCD is a mental health disorder that requires treatment, such as Exposure and Response Prevention, which falls under the umbrella of cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s not something people can simply “get over” or “snap out of”. It’s not something that should be used casually in conversation as an adjective to describe someone’s preferences or habits.

Get Help Now 

Don’t wait to seek professional support and education, call OCD Wellness to speak to OCD specialists. OCD Wellness Clinicians work with you to reduce symptoms and improve overall functioning. OCD Wellness Clinicians utilize Exposure and response prevention (ERP) which gradually exposing individuals to their fears while helping them build tolerance to the discomfort and uncertainty without resorting to compulsive behaviors.

Remember, managing OCD is a journey, and it’s important to be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. With the right support and tools, it’s possible to live a fulfilling life despite the challenges of OCD.

Visit http://www.ocd-wellness.com or call (705) 417-3250 to speak to a professional and start living well with OCD! And don’t forget to check out our Instagram page @ocd.wellness.com

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