OCD Fact vs. Fiction: Common Misconceptions of OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder listed in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) under the section of Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders. Those with OCD can experience lasting, uncontrolled, and reoccurring thoughts, known as obsessions. Those with OCD can also engage in repetitive behaviors, known as compulsions. Someone with OCD can experience obsessions, compulsions, or both. These can be incredibly distressing and have a strong negative impact on one’s daily functioning. Based on common stereotypes and media representation, OCD is commonly misunderstood in ways where some are surprised to learn what OCD really entails. Below we will be listing some common misconceptions of OCD and what it means to have the disorder.

Fiction: OCD is when someone needs to have everything neat and clean to an obsessive extent.

The first of several common misconceptions of OCD is when someone needs everything to be clean. Needing to have everything clean and organized does not necessarily mean someone has OCD. It seems common for people who have a strong need to have everything neat and organized to say things such as “I am so OCD”, “it is my OCD”, or “I am a little OCD”. Obsessive Compulsive disorder goes so much deeper than neatness and cleanliness. It involves intrusive and reoccurring thoughts that cause distress and leads to the urge of a repetitive behaviors, often in response to the obsessive thoughts and avoidance. These types of thoughts and behaviors span across a wide variety of themes.

Fact: There are multiple themes related to OCD and compulsions include far more than hand washing and cleanliness.

Although some with OCD experience the need for cleanliness, a fear of germs, and excessive hand washing, it is a piece of a much larger puzzle that can span multiple different themes and behaviors. Those with OCD can experience multiple themes and multiple different kinds of compulsions. Many of these thoughts and obsessions include “what if” thinking. Some of these themes include fear of harming oneself or others, losing control of oneself, contamination/germs, unwanted sexual related thoughts, needing things to feel just right, health anxiety, magical thinking, religion, moral scrupulosity, hyperawareness, and many more. These obsessions can cause severe distress and anxiety for those with OCD. They can experience compulsions that can include, seeking frequent reassurance from others, checking/rechecking things, mental checking, hoarding, repeating certain words/actions, ritualizing, counting, sanitizing/cleaning, hand washing, avoidance of triggering situations, and more. Although many with OCD recognize that their thoughts are not always rational and logical, they will often act on their obsessions through compulsive behaviors anyway, due to the uncertainty.

Fiction: We all have a little bit of OCD.

Often OCD is mistaken for quirkiness, type A personality, or needing things a certain way. OCD is not a quirk. It is not a personality trait. It is a mental health disorder that is seen in about 2% of the population. Often OCD is treated with cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and psychiatric medication. OCD can cause distress and impairment in one’s life. For some experiencing severe OCD symptom, this can lead to the need for residential or inpatient treatment.

Fact: If you have OCD, you are not alone and there is hope.

There are multiple treatment options for OCD, including medication and therapy. There are multiple resources, books, conferences, and organizations dedicated to OCD and building a community around those who experience and treat it. There are also support groups for those struggling or who have a loved one with OCD/OCD related disorders. For more information on OCD and resources, visit the International OCD Foundation’s website (IOCDF.org).

Having an understanding of the common misconceptions of OCD is critical. If you believe you may have symptoms of OCD please talk to your general practitioner, a mental health therapist, or a psychiatric professional. Call Olney Counseling Center at 301-570-7500 for more information.

Resources
National Institute of Mental Health (n.d). Obsessive compulsive disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd

International OCD Foundation (n.d). https://iocdf.org

Ryback R (2016 May 9). 4 myths about OCD. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201605/4-myths-about-ocd