I'm tired of people claiming OCD when they have no idea

[cabsmom]

Again today I hear the claim that someone wants things just so because of OCD. UGH!!!!

Why don't people understand that OCD is not a quirky or cute thing. It is mental torture.

I did correct someone on Facebook yesterday, but today I just let it go. I know they don't mean any harm. Heck, most of them probably believe that OCD is just being picky or perfectionistic.

 

[river22]

Yeah I know what you mean its almost like a trend to have ocd. When their are people who have been diagnosed with this illness yet the outside world has no clue how stressful this can be.

 

[Bos]

I totally agree! None of the people who use "OCD" as quirky have a clue what it is like to actually have OCD! I have heard that awful phrase recently "I'm a little bit OCD." That doesn't even make sense!! You either have OCD or you don't, there's no little bit!

 

[Celticroots]

As someone with OCD, this really grinds my gears. People usually think OCD is all about being obsessed with germs, and order, etc. Intrusive thoughts are a big part too as well as mental compulsions. Compulsions don't have to physical.

Once I watched this news story about a woman who supposedly had the "worst" case of OCD ever. Repeated cleaning and handwashing. So terrified of germs that she wouldn't touch anything with her hands and instead use her feet. There are treatments that can help. Yet she chose not to seek it.

Meanwhile, there are those of us with terrifying intrusive thoughts, urges, and we try to alleviate the anxiety by performing physical or mental compulsions. Things many wouldn't even consider compulsions like reassurance seeking, reading everything we can on the subject we're obsessing about,or serving the internet to gain reassurance.

And with intrusive thoughts, urges, whatever, getting treatment is harder. You're afraid that the minute you open your mouth, the psychologist would deem you a danger to yourself or others or just generally make things worse.

Eventually, you become suicidal because of the thoughts and think they're proof that you're a horrible person. That God could not love you. Or you think that it would be better off dead so you wouldn't hurt anyone.

When I say "you" I am referring to myself. There was a time when the shame of the intrusive thoughts made me consider suicide.

God had other plans praise Him!

 

[Bananagator]

"I cant evn eat da green M&Ms cuz Im sooo OCD lulz"

Yeah, I see stuff like that a lot. It's very annoying and undermines the struggle that people with actual OCD go through.
You're right, it's not a quirk and it's not a minor inconvenience.

 

[blackribbon]

Actually, you can be "a little bit OCD"...it is called having OCD traits...but you are correct, that it isn't the same as suffering from a diagnosis of OCD and all the extreme anxiety that you are dealing with.

However, sometimes those with "traits" are admitting that there is some compulsion there that does bother them and may be starting to get in the way of their normal life depending on the severity of it. I have a friend who definitely "has strong traits" that most people don't notice but I have seen the anxiety in her face. She loves to throw a good party...super social...at the same time, I almost put her in a panic attack when I mentioned I switched around her living room knick-knacks. Luckily I recognized the look and quickly reassured her I didn't touch anything but she still had to make sure herself. She has to completely avoid the kitchen while the guests are there because the chaos of people bringing party food and the mess that accompanies that can be another source of a complete mental meltdown. Hers at this point is just "traits" and is just a minor inconvenience but it is very real.

Just like there are various levels of depression and anxiety, there are various levels of OCD. I do feel for you that are dealing with the more severe issues.

 

[grandvizier1006]

Yeah, I know how you all feel. Even my mom doesn't quite get it, and she's like, "Oh, don't be so OCD." I haven't been able to tell her the worst of my issues because the last time I had some major obsession she didn't realize it was OCD, and she just got annoyed by me talking about it. I couldn't help it, I was scared and upset. I did eventually solve the issue, though.