OCD: Shattering some misconceptions.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, more commonly known as OCD, remains a condition often cloaked in misunderstanding. It's important to spread awareness that OCD is insultingly far from a personality quirk, and flippantly using the term to describe traits like organisation or cleanliness can belittle the daily battles faced by millions who grapple with this condition.
At its core, I would liken OCD to a malfunctioning alarm system within the mind. In our usual functioning, our bodies alert us when something appears amiss or potentially hazardous, prompting us to take action. However, for those with OCD, this alarm system continuously misfires. This incessant misfiring transforms mundane aspects of life into sources of distressing threats, even when there seems to be no danger.
What I believe to be the biggest shock to people, is the involuntary and intense nature of its symptoms. The intrusive thoughts and feelings generated by OCD are nothing short of torturous. They relentlessly invade one's mind, with no warning or preparation, for all hours of the day. These thoughts are not under one's control, just as a neurotypical person cannot govern their own feelings. The emotions and thoughts induced by OCD are profoundly distressing, discomforting, and, for some, they can even induce a form of psychological trauma.
Consequently, it's worth noting that individuals grappling with OCD can display higher-than-normal resilience and a unique tolerance for difficult situations. Their daily battles with the relentless obsessions and compulsions can inadvertently cultivate an extraordinary inner strength. Having faced their condition, they often emerge with an increased capacity to endure challenging circumstances, and show extra resilience in the face of adversity. Their ability to persist with their daily lives despite the intense internal burdens produces some remarkable individuals.
It's of paramount importance to understand that OCD is far from being a personality quirk; it's a complex and demanding mental health condition that deserves huge empathy and support. Acknowledging the involuntary and tormenting nature of the intrusive thoughts and feelings is a critical step toward fostering genuine understanding and compassion for individuals enduring the agonizing reality of OCD. Recognizing the potential trauma it can inflict and the day to day impact on one’s life and wellbeing, underscores the urgency of increased awareness, and support for those who need it.
Sam.