The Untold Truth about OCD: Revealed by Leading Experts

People may often refer to someone as "OCD" when they have a meticulous and well-maintained home. However, it's important to recognize that OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is not just a desirable personality trait associated with being organized. Rather, it is a disorder that can significantly affect a person's work, relationships, and overall well-being, as explained by Stephanie Woodrow, clinical director of the National Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center in Washington, DC.

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OCD Awareness Week is currently happening, aiming to increase awareness and understanding of the condition by dispelling stigma. Matthew Antonelli, the interim executive director of the International OCD Foundation in Boston, stated that activists, organizations, and clinicians are working together to achieve this goal.

The theme for this year's OCD Awareness Week is "OCD Truths." Advocates, health professionals, and patients are focusing on shedding light on the realities individuals face while living with the condition and promoting the hope found in treatment.

"OCD does not need to dominate your life; there are steps you can take to reclaim it," Antonelli expressed. "By receiving effective treatment and medication, my life has been rescued and it has now become my mission to assist those who are struggling in finding the support they require."

Here's the information that experts want you to be aware of regarding OCD.

OCD is a mental health disorder that affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds. According to Antonelli, it is a chronic condition characterized by a repetitive cycle of obsessions and compulsions.

The term "unwanted intrusive thoughts, urges, and images" can be used to describe these obsessions, which can elicit strong feelings of stress, anxiety, or disgust, as per Woodrow.

To seek relief from these distressing emotions, individuals may engage in mental or physical behaviors, known as compulsions, explained Woodrow.

Antonelli explained in an email that these obsessions repeatedly happen and feel beyond the individual's control. People with OCD are aware that using compulsions is only a temporary fix, but in the absence of other coping mechanisms, they depend on compulsions as a momentary relief.

Woodrow mentioned that treatment can help manage obsessions and compulsions. However, individuals with OCD are more prone to experiencing intensified symptoms during periods of stress, life transitions, or hormonal changes.

OCD is not a personality quirk

OCD is not just being a neat freak. And it is not an adjective to describe anyone with neurotic behavior, Woodrow said.

The common misconception about OCD is believing it to be a mere personality quirk or trait. It fails to acknowledge the severity of this disorder, which has the potential to severely damage people's lives and negatively affect their overall quality of living, not only for the individuals themselves but also for their loved ones.

Although it can cause distress for certain individuals to have things disorganized, this differs significantly from the distress experienced by those with a diagnosed disorder, explained Woodrow.

The best approach for severe cases of anxiety is typically a combination of therapy and medication, experts said.

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"You don't experience these intrusive thoughts that something terrible will happen to your home if things aren't organized properly," she explained. "You don't engage in repetitive compulsive behaviors in an attempt to prevent these terrible things from occurring."

According to Antonelli, it is a common misconception to say "everyone is a little OCD," which is untrue and underestimates the difficulties faced by individuals with the disorder.

OCDis not only limited to cleanliness and organization, as commonly portrayed in movies and television, Woodrow explained.

According to Antonelli, the obsessions underlying the compulsions can encompass various aspects such as sex, religion, contamination, romantic relationships, and violence.

Those intrusive thoughts can induce fear of harming someone you love or driving your own car over a bridge, Woodrow added.

"OCD is incredibly creative and there really are no limits," she said.

However, it is important to note that having these thoughts does not imply that individuals with OCD pose a threat, as their intrusive thoughts rarely translate into actual actions. Rather, individuals with OCD tend to harbor concerns regarding matters of utmost importance to them, such as safeguarding their own well-being or the wellbeing of their loved ones, according to her.

"A lot of times the themes revolve around things that people care about the most. And again, there is no danger or no risk of them actually becoming that person," Woodrow said.

How to get help

Misunderstandings about the condition can cause individuals with OCD to experience isolation and shun medical assistance. This is particularly regrettable considering the high level of effectiveness in its treatment, according to Antonelli. Collaborating with mental health experts and utilizing a combination of therapies and medication can significantly enhance the well-being of those afflicted with OCD.

According to Antonelli, an SRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) is typically the most effective medication.

Woodrow stated that exposure and response prevention therapy is a proven method for treating obsessions, as it gradually exposes individuals to their fears in a secure setting. She also noted that acceptance and commitment therapy, which draws from cognitive behavioral therapy, can be beneficial.

"Collectively, ERP and medication are recognized as the primary therapies for OCD," Antonelli stated. "Approximately 70% of individuals with OCD can experience improvements with ERP and/or medication."

However, it is crucial that these interventions are performed by a qualified professional. Ideally, your therapist will collaborate with your medical provider or psychiatrist to design a personalized treatment plan, he emphasized.

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How to support someone you love

A trained therapist is the only one who can diagnose OCD, but it may be beneficial to encourage your loved ones to speak with a provider if you observe obsessions and compulsions that hinder important activities they value, such as work, education, or socializing, according to Antonelli's email. Supporting your loved ones in their treatment journeys and assisting them in finding effective care is the most helpful action to take, he further suggested.

It is crucial not to participate in the compulsions with your loved one when they receive a diagnosis, even though you may feel tempted to assist them in alleviating their stress at the time, as stated by Woodrow. By acquiring a deeper understanding of the condition, you can offer love and support without getting involved in any compulsive behaviors, Woodrow further explained.

For assistance in supporting someone diagnosed with OCD, Antonelli recommends utilizing resources provided by the International OCD Foundation or participating in support groups. He emphasizes the importance of understanding that one is not alone in their struggle and that improvement is possible.