Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is defined as an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions) or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something (compulsions). Those who are plagued with this disease feel the need to perform rituals in order to suppress an obsession. They cannot go throughout their day without doing these rituals. It is not technically considered OCD unless their day is hindered by the compulsions. It is commonly coined by psychologists as the “common cold of mental illnesses”.
Many people do not understand the complications with having OCD. People will say things like, “Oh, my OCD is kicking in,” all while laughing. Even I did this when I was younger without realizing just how inconsiderate it is. People who have this disorder are not able to even leave their houses in the most severe cases. It makes them angry, and can even lead to depression. Just because you feel the need for everything to be in order does not mean you have OCD, and it most certainly does not just “kick in”.
There have been many cases that we learned about in my psychology class last year that made me feel sympathy for those who have this. We were taught about a man who needs everything to face in a certain direction because all the other direction are bad luck. He has to put on his socks four times, and if someone distracts him he needs to start over. Every time someone said the word “El Camino” he needed to wipe off the bad luck by constantly wiping his wrists. I felt terrible that he could not stop these compulsions and wished that there was something I could do to help. There are many types of OCD that have to do with numbers, germs and more. Anything can be obsessed over.
Because of the stigma on mental illness, there has been a major stigma related to OCD. People do not see it as a more serious condition. People have laughed at those who are currently going through their rituals and even use the word to explain how neat they are. These things seem harmless, but they tone down just how dangerous this is. Those with OCD can end up having depression and even become suicidal because they cannot deal with their compulsions. They become obsessed with things and cannot help it. People need to realize that those with OCD need help and need support in order to fix it. They need guidance and people that will help them through whatever type of therapy they need.
Along with learning about OCD, I have seen these symptoms in other people, including myself. I knew I may have had a problem in middle school, and never told anyone with fear that people may just brush it off. Now I know I should have said something, sure, but then I was too naive to realize it. Every time I had a bad thought, I would have to knock on wood three times, and if I didn’t have wood, I would knock or tap my fingers on my leg or head three times. No matter where I was, what I was doing, or who I was around, I would tap. Sometimes, when I was conscious of my actions, I would try to hide it. I would even try to not perform the action, but I would end up just thinking about how the bad thought would come to life if I didn’t tap, and so I would go to the bathroom and just continuously tap in multiples of three until I was finally satisfied. Even though I have lost these compulsions, I still find myself tapping. I now even need to pull paper towel dispensers eight times before I can tear off a piece to dry my hands. If I mess up I need to start over.
OCD is something I feel strongly about, and feel that we need to help. Our generation needs to destroy the stigma and learn more about the destructive qualities of the disorder. If we could do this, maybe more people will be able to come forward with their symptoms and receive the treatment that they need. Maybe teaching people about OCD will be able to help thousands of people plagued by their obsessions and compulsions.
