There is no such thing as a little bit of ocd

[Guest5643]

I regularly here from people that they have "a little bit of ocd" or "im ocd in the house"ect. THERE IS NO SUCH THING! Its got to the point i say i have real ocd not fake ocd. I know these people have no idea about the illness so they don't know any better but its very disrespectful to what is a very debilitating illness. A had a psychologist once argue with me telling me ocd symptoms are only excess handwashing, cleaning and fear off germs! Those symptoms are a very mild fraction of what real ocd is like.

[Alexlisa]

Hello Helium,

Thanks for posting this. Yes, it’s frustrating that it’s so common to hear things like “I’m so OCD”. I take comfort from the signs I’m seeing that this is changing little by little. Just this week I’ve seen people on 2 social media platforms pull someone up on their inappropriate use of the term OCD. There’s actually an awareness movement underway based on educating people that “OCD is not an adjective”. There’s such a long way to go though. Languages evolve slowly, but hopefully we can get there.

Sometimes I find myself getting upset when I hear OCD used inappropriately. But now, especially online, I take the time to explain why it’s disrespectful. I’ve found most people are quite receptive and have simply never thought about it before. Unfortunately OCD has been portrayed in media so much as just a ‘quirk’ or something to poke fun at, so there’s a challenge in getting people to see it for the debilitating illness that it is. I think mental health awareness has come so far in the last 10 years or so, but there are some conditions with far more stigma attached than others. I think OCD is still quite stigmatised and misunderstood, which is so so sad because we struggle so bravely. Thanks again for posting.

Take care,

Alexlisa

[Guest5643]

Hi Alexlisa

Thats so cool to hear, i wasn't aware people we're talking about that. I'm not on social media apart from bb and youtube. If i had a choice of having ocd or not i would choose to have it cause ive had it since realy little so its really part me😆

[black_rose]

You hit the nail on the head there.

I'm one of these people that will correct people. I have bipolar, and I get so sick of hearing/seeing. I'm so moody today I must have Bipolar or I'm having a Bipolar day I'm so up and down

Half the time I have to refrain from saying you have no idea what a Bipolar day looks like. I wish my bad days were as good as yours.

Sadly there is still a lot of stigma and misuse of mental health terminology to explain people and it just creates more stigma and misunderstanding to how debilitating these conditions can be

[geoff]

Hi Helium, my last psychologist who I only saw 2 or 3 times was always telling me that no one needed to take any medication for anything, not even ny headache tablets and especially no one should have OCD and queried everything I said and asked me 'why'.

I've had OCD since a very young age and now I'm 64, nearly 60 years and only if those people knew how debilitating and controlling it is, because it involves obsessions, compulsions, unwanted and disturbing thoughts.

People with OCD are usually aware of the irrational and excessive nature of their actions,
however, they feel they are unable to control their obsessions or resist their compulsions and may be constantly on a person’s mind and don't respond to any logic.

I'd love to go on but it's recognised as an illness and those who don't have are just so lucky.

Geoff.

[Tomasjc]

Hi Helium.

Actually I have a little bit of OCD, and only because I am heavily medicated. Full blown OCD is one of the worst things I have ever experienced. Wish you the best.

[Guest5643]

Hi Tomasjc's. I'm the same mine is mild now due to meds keeping it undercontrol. I hope never go through that fullblown stage again. I'm so glad you found the right meds also to help☺

[Guest5643]

Hi geoff and black-rose. Holy moly geoff what sort of training do these psychologists get!!! Im 42 and had it bout 4ish. black-rose that's terrible i didn't realise people said that bout bipolar. I wish people could by mental health shirts with different quotes like 'This is what bipolar looks like" ect. Ive looked online but haven't seen any.

[Guest5643]

Hi again black-rose. I had to reply again because i was gobsmacked, i just watched a youtube video in relation to dog on dog attack and the lady was saying "how her dog would be kinda like bipolar, one minute things would be fine, the next minute be at her throat."