OCD Myths and Facts

Myths:

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is not a serious mental illness. In fact, all of us can be OCD about things.
• It is not a big deal. If we ignore our thoughts and relax then there is nothing to worry about.
• OCD is only associated with cleanliness. It is only limited to cleaning, keeping the surroundings neat, and washing one’s hands repeatedly.
• Once you are diagnosed with OCD there is no way that you can lead a normal functional life after.
• OCD only affects those who had childhood trauma or conflict.
• There are no symptoms of OCD. It can only be diagnosed with a scan.
• Every person who loves cleanliness has OCD.
• It can only affect adults. Children can never be diagnosed with OCD.
• Because OCD is all about cleanliness it is a disease that affects women. Men and children cannot be diagnosed with OCD.

Also Read: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Facts:

• OCD is not a trait. It is not a part of someone’s personality. It is a serious mental illness that is commonly seen. If it is a trait a person has control over it. He/ She can choose whether they want to do certain actions or not. With OCD there’s an unrelenting thought which causes anxiety and to lessen the impact of it, people engage in compulsive actions.
• A person diagnosed with OCD cannot simply block their thoughts.
• OCD is not extreme to stress. The stressful situation might cause distress to a person diagnosed with OCD, but stress doesn’t cause it.
• OCD is not trying to help people to look at things logically, it is about working on their anxieties.

• OCD is not limited to cleanliness. Obsessions can vary from cleanliness to sexual thoughts which are unwanted, to hurting others, etc. The anxiety led by these obsessions diminishes with compulsions of actions such as repeating an action, checking for things, counting and recounting things, etc.
• People with OCD can lead a healthy and functional life with treatment. Medication coupled with therapy helps in treating the illness.
• OCD can occur at any point from childhood to adulthood but most commonly between late teens to early stages of adulthood. OCD affects children, men, and women equally. There is no distinction based on the gender of the person, financial background, ethnicity, or religion of that person.
• For most patients, behavioral therapy and medication are effective treatment methods.

It is important to contact a trained professional when a person notices the symptoms. Due to OCD myths and facts or we can say due to embarrassment or stigma, people fail to approach a therapist and the condition might worsen. It is a serious mental health issue and with proper therapy, a person can lead a normal life.