Words matter: debunking stereotypes about OCD

Topics mentioned: OCD, self-esteem, supporting a friend

About: Laura understands how OCD stigmas make it harder to recognise symptoms and get the right support. She shares her experience to help debunk the stereotypes.

I’m sure that many of us can admit that, at some point in our lives, we’ve witnessed behaviour that, stereotypically, could be classed as ‘OCD’. Perhaps you’ve observed someone who appears to always be cleaning. Maybe you know someone who enjoys organising every inch of their life.

Now, don’t get me wrong, these behaviours can be symptoms of OCD. However, seeking joy out of tidiness and organisation is not to be confused with a mental health condition that can severely alter the way someone functions day-to-day.

I’d like to talk about the stigmas surrounding OCD and help people become more aware of the power of their words – maybe it’ll make people think twice before they use the phrase, “I’m so OCD about this.”

There are many misconceptions surrounding OCD. Personally, the main stereotype that I’ve heard is someone labelling themselves or others as ‘OCD’ because they like to organise and keep things tidy. Behaviours of this sort can be a symptom of OCD, particularly if there are certain thought patterns that an individual experiences alongside these behaviours.

For example, someone may feel unable to leave their home if they haven’t checked that a specific switch is off five times. Following this, if they still don’t gain the reassurance that they crave, they may feel an overwhelming sense that something bad may happen. It’s all starting to sound a lot deeper than just a bit of tidying, don’t you agree?

When you dive into the meaning of OCD, the first thing to unpick is what the abbreviation stands for, which is ‘obsessive compulsive disorder’. Yes, this terminology can relate to obsessive behaviours linked to cleanliness, but there are many other forms of OCD that are impacting people’s lives today.

In the past, I’ve experienced OCD symptoms relating to self-doubt. Many of you may not have associated self-doubt with OCD, but trust me, the feelings linked with this strand are very real and impact an individual’s life. Everybody can doubt themselves from time-to-time – it's human nature. However, if somebody is experiencing self-doubt frequently, with crippling consequences, then it may be OCD.

Experiences can differ, but for me, I was questioning every aspect of my life. I doubted if I was good enough. I overthought every mistake that I made. I made my life so routine-based to pull back any control that I could have. In doing so, my self-esteem dropped dramatically, and I was left wondering if I was ever going to be able to feel ‘normal’ again.

Once I realised that I was experiencing self-doubt to this extreme, I reached out for help. I began to educate myself on OCD and with the help of professionals, I started to break down the negative thought cycles that I'd created in my mind.

Even though I was able to seek support and manage my symptoms, I can recognise that many others don’t feel as though their worries are worth talking about. Often OCD can make you feel like your feelings don't matter, but they do!

There are many other forms of OCD that I have not discussed. I strongly encourage you to educate yourself on the various types. Stereotypes only make it harder for people to talk about their experiences, be listened to, and get the support they deserve. By educating yourself, you may be able to seek help if you are struggling. Or it’ll help you support someone in your life who may be experiencing OCD.