How to Help People Better Understand OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. Despite increased awareness, many people still believe in harmful stereotypes that oversimplify or misrepresent what it’s like to live with OCD. Let’s break down some of the most common misconceptions—and offer ways to help people understand OCD better.
1. Myth: OCD is just about being neat and organized.
Reality: OCD is much more complex than a desire for cleanliness or order. While some people with OCD may have compulsions related to tidiness, OCD is primarily driven by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and the actions (compulsions) used to neutralize or control those thoughts. These compulsions can vary greatly, from checking behaviors to mental rituals that have nothing to do with cleanliness.
How to help: Explain that OCD manifests in many ways, and not all compulsions are visible. People may struggle internally with obsessions about contamination, harm, morality, or even existential fears.
2. Myth: People with OCD just need to stop worrying.
Reality: Telling someone with OCD to “stop worrying” is like telling someone with a broken leg to "just walk." OCD is not about casual worry—it involves intense, often debilitating obsessions that create a sense of distress and urgency, making it hard to function without engaging in compulsive behaviors to find relief.
How to help: Encourage people to understand that OCD isn’t something you can just turn off. A better way to offer support is to acknowledge the difficulty and complexity of managing OCD, and to refrain from trivializing the experience.
3. Myth: OCD is rare and overdiagnosed.
Reality: OCD affects millions of people worldwide. However, because many people with OCD feel embarrassed or misunderstood, it often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Additionally, OCD can be overshadowed by the popular but incorrect use of the term to describe personality traits like being perfectionistic or detail-oriented.
How to help: Spread awareness that OCD is a serious, diagnosable mental health disorder. The condition is not just a quirk or preference; it's a chronic disorder that requires treatment, often through therapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and sometimes medication.
4. Myth: OCD is easy to manage if you just stop doing compulsions.
Reality: While it may seem logical to just stop performing compulsions, it’s not that simple. Compulsions provide temporary relief from intense anxiety, making it hard to stop without proper treatment. People with OCD are often aware their fears are irrational, but the anxiety is so overpowering that they feel compelled to act on it.
How to help: Educate others about Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a type of CBT that helps people face their fears without engaging in compulsions. It’s not about “just stopping”—it’s about learning healthier ways to cope with anxiety.
5. Myth: OCD means you're just overly cautious or scared.
Reality: OCD is not simply about being overly cautious. People with OCD experience intense fears that are usually irrational and intrusive, often fixating on things that don’t have logical triggers. These obsessions can range from fears of harm to others to fears about existential or moral dilemmas.
How to help: Encourage empathy by explaining that OCD doesn’t follow typical patterns of fear. Intrusive thoughts and compulsions don’t align with rational concerns, and understanding that OCD is driven by anxiety—not caution—can help eliminate judgment.
What Can You Do to Help Someone With OCD?
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Be patient and non-judgmental. People with OCD already know their thoughts may seem irrational to others. What they need is support and understanding, not criticism or advice to "just stop."
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Learn about OCD beyond the stereotypes. Realize that OCD is an anxiety disorder, and what you see on the outside is just a fraction of the internal struggle people face daily.
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Support their journey toward treatment. Whether they are in therapy or seeking help, let them know you are proud of their courage and respect their process.
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Avoid reinforcing compulsions. While it may be tempting to reassure someone or help them avoid triggers, it’s important to remember that ERP therapy is about resisting compulsions to break the OCD cycle.
Final Thoughts
OCD is complex, and misconceptions can make it harder for those who struggle with the disorder to seek help or feel understood. By educating ourselves and others about the true nature of OCD, we can create a more compassionate and informed conversation around mental health.
At Presently®, we design bracelets with CBT-inspired reminders to help those managing anxiety and OCD. Phrases like "Embrace Uncertainty" and "My Thoughts Are Passing Clouds" serve as daily tools for grounding yourself in moments of stress. Our goal is to support your mental health journey, one reminder at a time.
Have you or someone you know been affected by OCD? What’s a misconception you wish people would stop believing? Share in the comments below!
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