OCD Isn’t Just About Being Neat

OCD does not mean having an organized room. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health diagnosis that involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repeated behaviors (compulsions). There are many misconceptions and stigmas associated with OCD. For example, saying “I am so OCD” in reference to being organized or clean is misrepresenting the disorder. OCD is more complex than being neat. You can prefer having a clean and organized room without having OCD, but you can also have OCD with a messy room. 

OCD causes distress and excessive anxiety. It is not something that people can just ignore or stop. It is difficult to fully understand if you have not lived with these uncontrollable thoughts. These thoughts are unorganized and unaligned with a person’s values, often making them think of themselves as a bad person. 

OCD craves certainty and fills one’s brain with “what ifs”. This can take a person with OCD away from the present moment because of the endless cycle of thoughts. OCD is not just cleaning your room and color-coding your notes; it is a time-consuming disorder. Someone might enjoy cleaning their room or organizing, but someone with OCD does not enjoy their compulsions. They feel like they have to do these compulsions to ease their anxiety. 

Someone struggling with OCD truly believes that their thoughts can become reality, no matter how irrational they know it might be. They latch onto the small possibility of something happening, such as a plane crash or tornado. To relieve this anxiety, they might engage in compulsions such as checking the stove several times, doing tasks in multiples of 3, washing hands repeatedly, or tapping the wall. Compulsions cause people with OCD to do these tasks until they feel “right” because they believe it will relieve the intrusive thought and prevent something terrible from happening. This can be exhausting for people who feel embarrassed and controlled by their OCD.

Many individuals with OCD seek reassurance for their intrusive thoughts, but reassuring them is not always the best solution. Reassurance is only a temporary relief and can actually make the OCD spiral worse. To support a friend or family member with OCD, it is important to be there for them, validate their emotions, and ask them what they need from you. Remember to be kind and patient with yourself! By reading this blog, I hope you learned more about OCD and the misconceptions of the disorder.

If you struggle with OCD, you are not alone. Schedule a session today with Jamron Counseling to discuss the best treatment options for you. 

Written by:

Sofia Dabestani

MHC-Intern