We have all probably used, or at least heard, the term "OCD" quite a few times in our daily conservations. But have you ever thought about the context this term has been used in? Generally, this term has been used so commonly that many people don't seem to realize the truth of this uncontrollable mental disorder. So what really is OCD? OCD, which stands for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person experiences uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels compelled to repeat. While it may not sound so bad to have obsessions, these are a lot more different and have been taking a toll over many peoples lives.
To understand the extremity of OCD's here are some signs and symptoms:
Obsessions
Excessive concern with right/wrong
Fear of harming others impulsively
Concern of getting a physical illness or disease such as cancer
Extremely obsessing over exactness and evenness
Fear of being responsible for a terrible event such as a fire or burglary
Compulsions
Washing hands excessively in a particular manner
Repeating body movements such as tapping or touching
Repeating activities a certain number of times
Constantly checking to not make mistakes
Rereading or rewriting multiple times
These examples should show how severe OCD can be as it consumes a lot of time and it gets in the way of many activities in an individuals life. Unfortunately, as mentioned before, most people fail to recognize that these are not the usual "obsessions" like with the song you've been listening to repeatedly or the new recipe you've been going crazy over. These kinds of obsessions don't negatively interfere with your life and stop you from doing other important activities, which highlights how an OCD is much different. Similarly, not all repetitive behaviors or "rituals" are compulsions. There is a common misconception for people to think they have an OCD when they find themselves always cleaning their room because they can't stand untidiness or having a habit of a specific bedtime routine. However, these would not fall under the compulsions category as it would not refer as a personality trait. In most cases, individuals with OCD, feel compelled to engage in compulsive behavior and would prefer not to perform these time-consuming and, at times, torturous acts.
So now that you understand OCD's better, try to be more considerate on how you use these terms as there are many people out there who have been suffering because of this serious disorder. And if you are someone who has been diagnosed with it, there are treatments available such as medications or therapies. It is always a good idea to talk to someone you trust as well.
Watch this video to gain a deeper insight on OCD's! Samatha Pena tells her story on how she first developed this disorder and how it has majorly impacted her life.
References
International OCD Foundation. (n.d.) What is OCD?
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Obsessive-Compulsive disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
This is such an important topic. 😊👍🏽