#OCD and misunderstanding
5th August 2019
“I’m a bit OCD about things like that.” “That is so OCD!”
How many times have we heard, used or seen these phrases and hashtags when someone likes things a little more organised than most, or when someone likes to colour co-ordinate their wardrobe? My bet is the answer is ‘often’.
How many times have we seen a marketing campaign that jokes about “Obsessive Christmas Disorder” or that a clean space will “satisfy your OCD”. Again, I am betting that we have all come across these more than once in our time.
How many of us have seen the hashtag #OCD on twitter or Instagram, under a picture of a tidy or symmetrical space?
All around us we hear jokes and trivialisations about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which may seem like harmless fun, or a clever pun. However, what many may not realise is that it can help to spread the misinformation and misunderstanding about OCD that is already so commonplace.
So, what is the truth about OCD?
When thinking about OCD, people often will think of someone who is a ‘germaphobe’ or a ‘neat freak’, or who repeatedly washes their hands. This is understandable – OCD symptoms are often represented this way in TV shows, books and films. However, OCD is much more than being clean and tidy.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a common mental health condition, which is characterised by frequent obsessions and compulsions (nhs.org). Obsessions, or “intrusions” are images, worries, doubts or thoughts that repeatedly appear in the sufferer’s minds (mind.org.uk), which often cause overwhelming anxiety. Some common obsessive thoughts include; fear of losing control and harming others (for example, hurting a loved one), intrusive violent or explicit thoughts or images (for example, of themselves doing something violent), fear of already having harmed someone else non-intentionally (for example, fear of having hit someone with their car), and fear of being contaminated by germs or dirt (for example, fear that touching a railing will cause illness).
Often, an OCD suffer may be able to recognise that their obsessions are excessive, or not-logical, however this will not reduce their anxiety as to them the threat will feel very real. As a result, they may feel compelled to carry out compulsions, which are repeated activities that the person performs in order to reduce their anxiety or remove the doubt or worry from their mind. These compulsions may be obvious from the outside; such as repeated hand washing or excessively checking door locks, or they may be quite difficult to notice or identify, such as mental rituals, reassurance seeking or compulsive googling.
It is estimated that around 1.2% of the UK population have OCD, equating to about 12 in every 1,000 people (mentalhealth.org.uk). However, it is probable that this figure underestimates the number of people with OCD, as many people will suffer in silence and not seek help for fear of being judged or ostracised for their obsessions. Unusually, the gender ratio in OCD is approximately equal, with as many males as females being thought to suffer with the condition. The onset of symptoms is typically gradual and so difficult to pinpoint to a specific time; however, it often becomes problematic for male sufferers during late adolescence, and during early twenties for female sufferers.
The symptoms of OCD can have enormous effects on sufferers’ lives and happiness. In fact, The World Health Organisation includes OCD in the top 10 most debilitating illnesses. Performing compulsions can take a physical toll on an individual, such as having red and raw skin from compulsive hand washing, or take up a significant amount of time in a sufferer’s day, leading them to struggle to complete their work. Alternatively, another sufferer may appear to be coping and performing all their daily tasks, while experiencing huge distress from obsessions and intrusions which may make them feel that they are a ‘bad person’ or ‘evil’.
Based on this, I’m sure we can all see why making jokes or comments about the disorder may feel trivialising and upsetting to sufferers. So please, next time you think about using the #OCD – consider the real lives of those suffering with the condition. We all can try a little harder every day to make our society a place where people suffering with mental health issues feel heard and respected.
If you would like to learn more about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, please find resources here:
https://www.intrusivethoughts.org
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/
If you think you are struggling with OCD, and would like to seek help, find out how you can go about this here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/treatment/
References:
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/obssessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd.htm
https://www.intrusivethoughts.org
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/