Myth: OCD is just a personality trait
Fact: OCD is a mental health condition
A common myth about OCD is symptoms of OCD are a personality trait instead of a mental health condition.
Most people have obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors at some point in their lives, but that does not mean that we all have “some OCD.” In order for a diagnosis of OCD to be made, this cycle of obsessions and compulsions must be so extreme that it consumes a lot of time (more than an hour every day), causes intense distress, or gets in the way of important activities that the person values.
Stigma about OCD can make it difficult to talk about, so it’s important for us to understand and listen more.
Myth: OCD is only about cleanliness
Fact: While cleanliness is a common compulsion of obsessive-compulsive disorder, it is not the only related compulsion.
Compulsions can also include things like:
– Hoarding
– Praying
– Counting
– Repeating certain movements
– Touching/tapping objects
– Obsessive-compulsive disorder is different for everyone, and symptoms can change throughout their lifetime.
Myth: OCD isn’t treatable
Fact: While there isn’t a cure for obsessive-compulsive disorder, there are treatments that can help people manage their symptoms.
OCD is treatable through seeking out professional help along with implementing skills into daily life such as mindfulness and self-care.
Mindfulness includes practices like meditation, breathing exercises, and grounding techniques. Therapy can provide a non-threatening environment to address any concerns and individuals can start facing their fears with a professional.
Reference:
Hippe, Hannah. (9 Sept, 2022). “5 Common Myths About OCD” “Nystrom Associates”, https://www.nystromcounseling.com/ocd/5-common-myths-about-ocd/
