When most people hear “OCD”, they picture someone who obsessively cleans or is obsessed with organization. While those are types of obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD is far more complex, often involving great distress and struggles of self-doubt, which are often overlooked by society. Though seemingly harmless, when people joke around and say things like “omg I’m so OCD” or “you couldn’t possibly have OCD you’re so messy,” it minimizes the deep challenges people with OCD face and makes it even harder for those who experience “taboo” or “atypical” symptoms to reach out for help.
In my own experience, OCD went undiagnosed for years because my symptoms, though debilitating, didn’t fit the stereotype. My rituals included hair pulling, rigid eating behaviors and intense fears of blurting out inappropriate words in public. I had intrusive thoughts that made me believe I was a terrible person; even convincing myself that I had committed some horrible crime that I just didn’t remember doing and now the police were searching for me. My compulsions began to consume me, and it became impossible to think about anything else. These rituals started to affect my relationships as well, annoying those around me, and I began to isolate myself from family and friends. I felt too embarrassed to tell them what was really going on, especially when I didn’t really understand it myself. Only later when I joined a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy group did I learn I had OCD. Through exposure therapy, coping mechanisms and medication, I’ve gained tools to manage my OCD. It still affects my life, but no longer controls me.
OCD isn’t as rare as most people think, yet so many suffer in silence. Despite how debilitating it can be, only 30-40% seek treatment, according to the National Library of Medicine. Many, like myself, with taboo OCD symptoms feel too embarrassed to reach out, in fear that others might judge or misunderstand. But getting help isn’t just possible; it’s essential for regaining quality of life.
If you are experiencing OCD, know that you’re not alone. OCD isn’t “just a quirk” or a “preference for neatness.” It’s a real mental health condition, and effective support is out there for everyone – no matter what kind of OCD you have. Being vulnerable and talking openly about less understood mental disorders such as OCD is essential for breaking down stigma, creating understanding and encouraging others to seek the help they need. The more we shed light on these unspoken, yet very real experiences, the more we make space for people to feel understood and supported.
Written by Pippa Reading
