Recently, I saw a statistic that said, "approximately 2.3 percent of the population between ages 18- 54 suffers from OCD". At first, I was shocked that it wasn't higher, considering how many times a week I hear things like, "I'm like so OCD". But in reality, that statistic is mind boggling. OCD is more prevalent in our country today than bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. This made me wonder, if this disorder is so common in the U.S, why is it so misunderstood? I believe that like ADD, depression and anxiety, OCD has been made out to be a "trendy" disorder. In our society, the symptoms of OCD are so minimized and the disorder is so generalized that if you like your room a certain way, you should probably see a psychologist. As someone who actually does "suffer" from OCD, I feel compelled (pun fully intended) to shed some light on the subject for those that can't discern between being particular and being OCD.
First, OCD is never a choice. When you have OCD, it's not a feeling of "I want to do this" it's a feeling of "I need to do this". OCD is the voice in my head that says, "I need to do this now or else I can't do anything for the rest of the day and I'll also probably explode on the inside if I don't do it right now this very instant", not the voice that says, "well, I'd really rather have things how I like them". Now, don't get me wrong, I definitely do some things just because I'm also a very particular person. But, there is a huge difference in the feeling between wanting something your way and needing it the way your brain says you need it. It's kind of the same feeling as when you have to pee really bad and you can't possibly do anything else until you pee.
The second thing you need to understand is the feeling that OCD people get is extremely frustrating. I'll give you an example. If I see a thread hanging off my shirt, I have to pull it. Have to. One part of me says stop, cut it off, otherwise you're probably going to rip a hole in your shirt like you have 1,000 times before this. But, I just have to pull it. The feeling that says I need to get rid of that thread right now or else I'm going to explode, is sometimes a lot stronger than the fact that I know it's better to cut it. So, naturally, after I pull it and wreck my shirt, I'm really mad at myself. Surprise, it's not fun to feel like you're fighting with your own brain.
Third, everyone's compulsions are different. For example, I don't have the counting compulsion where I have to do things in three's. I have my own set that's specific to me. They can be simple, like my need for a plan. I'm really not a spontaneous person because I need to know exactly how everything is going to go and then it has to happen that way. There are more complicated ones that I can't work on as easily, like my need to pick.
Fourth, those videos and pictures made for "OCD people", of things fitting together smoothly and lined up perfectly are just as satisfying for my boyfriend who isn't OCD as they are for me. It's just like how eating makes everyone less hungry, ya know?
Last, if you know someone actually struggles with this disorder, making fun of them or trying to mess with their compulsions to watch them freak out isn't funny. Plain and simple, it's like picking the legs off an ant to watch it squirm.
Bottom line, being OCD is more complicated than you'd think. If you know someone who suffers from this, help them by being compassionate and patient. And if you think you may have OCD, make an appointment with a local mental health professional (preferably one who specializes in the disorder) and talk to them about the things you could do to make your life a little easier.
