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If you are on TikTok or just about any other mainstream social media, there is a high likelihood that you have seen an advertisement for a mental health app that claims to help those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Not only this, but many of these ads claim to be able to diagnose you with OCD by asking just a few short questions. Usually they will ask questions along the lines of, “do you like when things are organized?” or “do you get upset when you make a mistake?” While these things could be related to OCD, they are far too broad and nuanced to be able to actually diagnose it. In this post, we will explore some common misconceptions regarding OCD.
According to the DSM-5-TR criteria, individuals with OCD have recurring obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions are defined as intrusive repeated thoughts, urges, and/or mental images that induce anxiety. Some examples of obsessions could be persistent fear of forgetting or losing something, the desire to have things in perfect order, or the fear of germs/contamination. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that someone feels the urge to do, usually triggered by an obsession. Compulsions could look like excessive hand washing/cleaning, compulsive counting, or repeatedly checking things, such as whether or not a door is locked. It is believed that roughly 1-3% of the global population has OCD.
The biggest distinction between the version of OCD that might be seen on social media and diagnosable OCD is what it actually looks like in day-to-day life. On social media, it sounds much more relaxed than what many would expect, and the way that it is often portrayed by influencers makes it feel like it is common to have symptoms of OCD. This content never seems to speak on the accounts of individuals who have struggled with OCD. Instead, it seems to generalize the average OCD experience as someone maybe being a perfectionist that experiences mild discomfort when things aren’t perfect or has anxiety about something being completed or turned “off.” However, one of the defining characteristics of diagnosable OCD is that individuals spend at least an hour each day dealing with obsessions and compulsions. Unfortunately, in many cases, these do not only lead to just mild discomfort either. These obsessions and compulsions can cause distress for those actually dealing with OCD and can negatively impact their relationships, job and ability to secure or keep work, their health, housing, and can easily lead to secondary mental health disorders, worsening overall health and day to day functioning if untreated.
This information can help us adjust our own language surrounding this disorder. Even if no harm is intended, sometimes people will label themselves as being “a little OCD” or may even believe that they have OCD without a diagnosis. It is important that we understand the harm that this mis-labeling can do to those actually struggling with OCD. When OCD is played off as a casual inconvenience, it can hurt those whose lives have been heavily impacted by it and is likely to normalize diagnosable presentations that may go untreated for longer, causing additional harm or distress. This change could look like labeling yourself as a “perfectionist” when you want things done correctly and describing yourself as “particular” when you prefer things to be neat and tidy. These simple changes in vocabulary can go a long way by helping those with OCD feel more validated and respected.
In the end, it is important that awareness is made regarding this disorder. The inaccurate glamorization of OCD done by social media can cause those with OCD to feel invalidated or as if they are not coping as “well” with OCD as others are. It is important that we understand and acknowledge the daily struggles that come with OCD, and that we kindly educate others on what it actually means to have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, or other concerns mentioned in this post such as perfectionism, obsessiveness, or feeling too “particular”, you are not alone and deserve someone who can understand and help. Our team of counselors at Mosaic Therapy Collective is ready and willing to be that system of support for you. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us!
References:
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd#:~:text=Obsessive%2Dcompulsive%20disorder%20(OCD),(compulsions)%2C%20or%20both.
McLean Hospital. (n.d.). Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/ocd#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20people%20with%20OCD,life%20in%20a%20negative%20way
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Table 3.13, DSM-IV to DSM-5 obsessive-compulsive disorder comparison). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519704/table/ch3.t13/
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
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