It’s easy to make fun of something without realizing the effects that teasing can have. Take obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), for example. In many environments, like the workplace and in social media outlets like Facebook, making fun of OCD is almost commonplace. Such phrases as “So-and-so’s OCD is kicking in. She has to clean her desk before she leaves,” is only one example.
It’s likely when you were a kid you played games to make sure you did not walk on the cracks on the sidewalk, or maybe you “knock on wood” to ward off bad luck.
But OCD is no laughing matter for those who have been diagnosed with it. Imagine not being able to leave your house until you have turned all the lights on and off at least twice, or opening and closing all the doors? And now, imagine knowing what you are doing is absolutely ridiculous but not being able to stop it.
WebMD tells us that OCD afflicts about 4 million adults and about 1.2 million children and adolescents in N. America. The disorder usually first appears in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. It occurs about equally in men and women and affects people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds.
People with OCD are plagued by recurring and distressing thoughts, fears, or images (obsessions) they cannot control. The anxiety (nervousness) produced by these thoughts leads to an urgent need to perform certain rituals or routines (compulsions). The compulsive rituals are performed in an attempt to prevent the obsessive thoughts or make them go away.
Although the ritual may temporarily alleviate anxiety, the person must perform the ritual again when the obsessive thoughts return. This OCD cycle can progress to the point of taking up hours of the person’s day and significantly interfering with normal activities.
There is no lab test to diagnose OCD. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on an assessment of the patient’s symptoms, including how much time the person spends performing his or her ritual behaviors.
Most experts agree that it is time to seek treatment for OCD when the disorder “interferes with daily life.” While “interfering” can mean different things to different people, it is generally described as having obsessions and compulsions that take up more than an hour a day of your time.
However, OCD will not go away by itself, so it is important to know that treatment is available.
If you suspect you have OCD, are concerned about a loved one, or aren’t really sure what’s going on, make the effort to find a therapist who specializes in this disorder. The sooner the better, because it might not take long for “I can handle this” to turn into OCD calling all the shots.
