Why almost everything you know about OCD is wrong
Have you ever heard someone say that they’re “very OCD” because they like to keep their room organised?
OCD is not about liking things a certain way. OCD is not about being superstitious. OCD is not about cleanliness.
OCD, or obsessive compulsive disorder, affects about 1 out of every 100 people. It is ranked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the top 10 most disabling illnesses of any kind.
So what is OCD?
It’s all in the name, really.
O - Obsessions. Obsessions are repeated, distressing and unwanted thoughts, images or urges which the individual finds difficult to control. Everyone has intrusive thoughts, but someone with OCD will have a greater frequency and intensity of intrusive thoughts, and will find it more difficult to move on from the thought.
C - Compulsive. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours a person feels the urge to do in order to manage anxiety brought on by the obsessions. The behaviours are not enjoyable and take up a significant amount of time. Sometimes, compulsions can be mental behaviours as opposed to visible ones, which make the condition more tricky to identify. An example of a mental compulsion is needing to repeat a number or phrase a certain amount of times in your head.
D - Disorder. The condition interferes significantly with the person’s ability to function in everyday life. It may interfere with work, education and relationships. It is not a personality trait or quirk.
Someone with OCD may wash their hands 50 times a day because they’re terrified that if they don’t, they will catch an infection and die. They may repeatedly check that their front door is locked out of fear that someone will break in and murder their children.They may avoid sharp objects because they worry they will suddenly snap and attempt suicide.
When people use the term OCD incorrectly, it dismisses the suffering of those who are struggling with OCD.
Many people with OCD suffer undiagnosed for years due to shame and stigma that can come with experiencing certain types of obsessions. For example, for people who experience obsessions about harming others or obsessions about being a paedophile, it would be very difficult to open up due to fear of being judged or even punished. In truth, OCD is ego-dystonic, meaning that these thoughts are the opposite of a person’s true beliefs and values.
The good thing about OCD is that it’s treatable. This can be done through therapy such as exposure and response prevention (ERP), where the person works with their psychologist to eliminate the compulsive behaviours that occur in response to obsessions. Medication is also an option and there are many different types of medications that can be offered. Talking to your family doctor is a good first step.
You are not alone. OCD is common. Help exists.
The most important thing is speaking up.
Mental health helpline - 1579
Richmond Foundation helpline - 1770
Dr Nicole Borg
