Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a term that is frequently used these days, but do we really understand what it means?
When we think of OCD, we may recall the eccentric detective Monk at a crime scene wondering if he had turned off his stove, or Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory refusing to drink from his friend’s glass.

Unfortunately, these depictions are deceptive and fail to capture the true difficulties that people with OCD face.

To help clear things up, we’ve compiled a list of common myths, as well as some facts to debunk them.

Myth: People who have OCD are just weird, neurotic, or quirky.
Things that people with OCD think and do may appear unusual at times, but OCD is far more than a personality quirk.

OCD is a mental illness that affects 1-2% of Australians and can be a significant disability for some. People with OCD have distressing intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions), and they try to relieve this distress by engaging in specific types of repetitive thought or behaviour (compulsions).

Compulsions temporarily relieve anxiety, but the relief is fleeting, and obsessions soon return, creating a cycle of obsessive-compulsive thought and behaviour. This cycle cannot be simply ‘turned off,’ and people suffering from it frequently describe feeling ‘imprisoned’ by their own mind.

Obsessions and compulsions can become extremely time-consuming and debilitating, taking up several hours of your day and significantly disrupting your life.

MYTH: PEOPLE WITH OCD ARE UNAWARE THAT THEY ARE BEING IRRATIONAL.

People with OCD are usually aware that what they are thinking and doing is irrational. One of the most frustrating aspects of having OCD is feeling compelled to engage in compulsions despite knowing you’re thinking irrationally.

Only a small percentage of people with OCD believe their beliefs are true (the house will burn down if the stove is not checked 30 times).

OCD IS HILARIOUS

OCD is frequently made fun of in popular media, but it is no laughing matter. It is a crippling and frustrating condition that can have a significant psychological impact.

Untreated, OCD can severely limit a person’s ability to interact socially with others, maintain meaningful employment, and engage in activities they enjoy.

Around 40% of people with OCD experience depression at some point in their lives, more than 60% have suicidal thoughts at some point, and nearly 25% have attempted suicide.

Treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication, fortunately, can help people regain control, and many people achieve full recovery.

HOW TO OBTAIN ASSISTANCE
If you or someone you know is experiencing OCD symptoms, you should see a doctor or a mental health professional.