Mental health awareness has seen great improvements in recent years. There has been a reduction in stigma surrounding counselling and therapy as well as mental illness and mental health disorders. This is exactly what all populations need - i.e., an open invitation to desire, seek, and receive support for their mental wellness.
HOWEVER. While this has been wonderful, some of the reduced stigma within the mental health realm has actually resulted in what we refer to as 'oversimplification' of mental health issues. Essentially, some conditions have become privy to such normalization that they become simplified, overly-normalized, or even popularized.
To illustrate? Just take a moment to think about how many times you've heard someone declare having terrible anxiety or being depressed. Maybe you have made the claim that you're "super OCD about how clean your car is" or referred to someone as a narcissist.
While the intention is more than likely innocent, the normalized use of these terms that actually define conditions pertaining to mental health (just like high cholesterol defines a condition pertaining to one's physical health) can result in misconceptions surrounding [them].
OCD is one of the most commonly misunderstood mental health disorders and one of the most common conditions with a label that is "tossed around" in everyday situations to describe everyday experiences. According to the American Psychiatric Association, OCD - obsessive compulsive disorder - causes marked distressed in individuals due to recurring obsessions and compulsions; and as a result, interferes with their daily functioning.
With this in mind, let's debunk some of the most common myths about OCD:
"People with OCD are just extremely anxious or simply neurotic."
Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that are experienced and compulsions are behaviours that are used to suppress or control the obsessions. These behaviours become so specific that they become rituals that the person feels they must do in order to reduce the worry. While everyone worries from time to time, people with OCD deal with recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions that interfere with their ability to function daily.
"There is no treatment for OCD."
Medication, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy are the best treatment options. While one can be used, it is best to opt for all three.
"Everyone is OCD to some extent."
While everyone deals with intrusive or unwanted thoughts (and feelings) at times, those with OCD experience these obsessions to an extent causing them to feel respomsible for preventing whatever it is [he/she thought of or worried about] from happening. Not only this, but the pre-occupation becomes so severe that there is marked distress and an ainability to function normally, because the need for compulsions (behaviours or rituals) arises in order to address the obsession.
"OCD is about being a germaphobe and clean freak."
Fear of contamination is not uncommon in those who suffer from OCD. There are more phenomena, however, such as:
extreme worry regarding completion and/or order
fear of losing something important
severe preoccupation with symmetry or exactness
over-concern with religious expectations
"Having OCD is a good thing. People with it do everything perfectly!"
While doing things to a high standard can be great, as per its definition, OCD affects a person's ability to function. Anything in excess can become a bad thing; and, this is indeed the reality with this disorder. There's no such thing as perfect; and, to be in marked distress in order to make something happen (or, not happen), is not a pleasant way of doing it.
In conclusion?
As mentioned, OCD is something that can be treated. And, one does not need a formal diagnosis in order to work on managing their obsessive-compulsive tendencies. But, this does not mean that the label should be used lightly, either.
Talking with a General Practitioner (M.D.) or Psychiatrist is the way to go if medication feels like the right first step for you.
Aside from pharmacological intervention, seeking psychotherapy is a great choice.
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