Common Misconceptions about OCD
By: McCayla Berry, M.A., LPC
Many of you have undoubtedly heard a phrase similar to, “I’m OCD about my house being clean,” or “I’m OCD about how my clothes are put away.” Many variations of this phrase exist and are often used. Phrases like these imply that OCD is more like a “type A” personality, where one’s need for cleanliness and order is almost viewed as endearing or funny.
The truth is that OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a debilitating disorder. Many professionals have coined the disorder as the “doubting disorder”, as the person is suffering from intense fears around the doubts they are experiencing. These doubts pop up in one’s mind like intrusive thoughts, which are thoughts that are unwanted and can often feel out of character to the person struggling. After experiencing these intrusive thoughts, they will feel the need to complete an act to relieve themselves of their anxiety, otherwise known as compulsions.
Here are some common misconceptions about OCD:
OCD looks like a person who is anxious about cleanliness, order, and fears germs. OCD has a variety of presentations and is typically rooted in what a person highly values. Some people place a high value of being a morally upstanding or religiously upright person (fear of condemnation, judgment, or harming others spiritually). For others, their OCD will consist of intrusive thoughts around romantic relationships or their sexual orientation as they value their relationships (fear of choosing the wrong partner, ending up betrayed or hurt by their partner because they might be ignoring red flags, or not living in the truth of their sexual orientation). Other presentations involve intrusive thoughts regarding harming themself/others, pedophilia, and other distressing images (fear of causing harm to themself or others or becoming a person that they would be afraid of).
You can easily tell when a person has OCD. Another common misconception of OCD is that it’s easy to spot because you can always see the compulsions performed. The reality is that compulsions can also be mental acts. These mental compulsions serve to internally “check” that they have completed a task, reassure themselves that they did not want the unwanted thought, or even check how they are feeling about something to a point that it never feels complete. A person with an OCD brain cannot easily receive the reward of a completed task, so the brain feels the need to continue the feedback loop over and over again, leaving the person in distress and confusion as they try to complete the compulsion and find relief from their anxiety.
3. Obsessions only happen when somebody cares too much or wants something too much (Being obsessed with a person, thing, or task for gratification). One may hear about some of the doubts and thoughts a person is having and be quick to conclude that there is a subconscious desire the person has to act on some of these thoughts. For a person with OCD, obsessions are thoughts that are typically unwanted and distressing. Due to the sometimes graphic nature that these thoughts may consist of, some of those with OCD are often too ashamed to talk about their fears and are left untreated. Often, a person will live in isolation as they fear they will be judged for their unwanted thoughts. The more the person strives to avoid the thoughts, the more upsetting and fearful the thoughts typically become.
Due to these common misconceptions, people with OCD can often be misdiagnosed or misunderstood while they are seeking help. At the heart of OCD is the deep doubt and mistrust that the person forms about themselves. All in all, OCD is not an endearing personality trait but a distressing experience without proper intervention.