Debunking The 9 Most Common OCD Myths

Although mental health continues to be better understood and accepted in our society, there remain many  misconceptions surrounding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These misconceptions can oftentimes be insensitive, and in some cases, downright hurtful.

For those looking to treat their OCD, dealing with the stigma of the disorder can be one of the greatest barriers in recovery.

Debunking the most common OCD myths is an essential part of showing others that the disorder goes far beyond a need for cleanliness and symmetry.

If you’ve ever rolled your eyes over someone saying they’re “so OCD” because they like to organize things, the common OCD myths listed below are meant to act as evidence and validation that this can be an incredibly difficult disorder to live with and treat.

While there is no “cure” for OCD, becoming educated about the disorder is one of the best ways to fight misinformation and end the stigma.

9 Common OCD Myths: Busted

#1 Myth: People With OCD Are Always Organized

Reality: While perfectionism or getting things “just right” can be a component of OCD, most people confuse Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). OCPD presents itself as a need to be hyper-organized, doing things like color-coordinating a closet or having an elaborate filing system for documents.

Individuals with OCPD differ from those with OCD because they typically do not report any distress over their need to organize. In other words, they don’t feel like the disorder is controlling them in the way those with OCD experience.

#2 Myth: Everyone Can Be “A Little OCD” Sometimes

Reality: One of the most common yet frustrating myths about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is that everyone has “a little” OCD. While many have OCD (about 2-3 million adults in the United States alone), it does not affect the majority of the population.

OCD also isn’t a personality trait: it’s a mental health condition that requires a diagnosis from a licensed medical professional. This means that individuals seeking a diagnosis need to exhibit multiple characteristics of the disorder, rather than having one or two tendencies that can potentially be linked to the disorder.

Again, this can be where OCD and OCPD get mixed up with one another, causing more misinformation.

#3 Myth: OCD Isn’t Genetic

Reality: Like many mental health conditions, OCD is more likely to show up in individuals with a family history of the disorder. In fact, if you have a parent or sibling with OCD, you’re twice as likely to develop the disorder yourself. That said, OCD can develop in people with no family history.

As far as how family dynamics relate to OCD, studies have also shown that OCD can show up as a response to childhood trauma, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. However, there’s no evidence that the normal mistakes parents make while raising children lead to OCD.

Having OCD goes far beyond getting an “Obsessive Cleaning Disorder” sign for your kitchen.

#4 Myth: People Who Have OCD Are Just High-Strung

Reality: Have you ever been upset and some semi-well-meaning person has told you to “just calm down”? If you have, you’ll probably understand why it’s problematic to see people with OCD as being “high-strung” or “difficult” when they can actually be in a tremendous amount of distress.

The myth of people with OCD being high-strung is usually the result of the person with the disorder exhibiting a physical compulsion, like rearranging a dinner table because the silverware isn’t lined up correctly. While some might see the behavior as rude, the person with OCD is merely trying to quell their anxiety.

#5 Myth: You Can Always Tell When Someone Has OCD

Reality: One of the more damaging OCD myths is that it’s easy to spot someone with the disorder. There’s a misconception that individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder are always checking and counting and washing in ways that are obvious to those around them. In actuality, those dealing with OCD often feel a tremendous amount of shame surrounding their compulsions and actively try to hide them.

It’s also worth noting that many people with OCD have mental compulsions like praying, counting, and repeating certain words or phrases in their mind, which aren’t visible to those around them.

#6 Myth: People With OCD Think They’re Being Rational

Reality: Although it remains a common myth that people with OCD are in control of their behaviors, the truth is that individuals with the disorder know that their fears, obsessions, and corresponding compulsions are largely irrational.

The myth that individuals with OCD believe their behavior to be normal can be one of the reasons they don’t seek treatment. Many of them have seen the stigma of the disorder time and time again, and don’t want to explain what they know to be irrational fears.

The need to hide OCD can be just as draining and upsetting as the disorder itself.

#7 Myth: Only Privileged People Have OCD 

Reality: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder does not discriminate against any socio-economic class, race, or gender. In the United States, rates of OCD are fairly steady across races, and only slightly higher in women than men.

Although individuals in higher socio-economic groups are more likely to be treated for OCD, this fact speaks more to the lack of affordable healthcare in the United States, as opposed to people with “fewer problems” developing OCD.

#8 Myth: Everyone With OCD Washes Their Hands A Lot

Reality: A common OCD myth highlighted in films and television is that individuals with OCD constantly need to wash their hands. While handwashing can be a compulsion for some OCD sufferers, it’s a much lower percentage than you might think. For instance, compulsions to check and count things are much higher than a compulsion for handwashing.

The fact that handwashing is far from the most common symptom of OCD shows how misinformation surrounding the disorder has infiltrated popular culture.

#9 Myth: People With OCD Have The Same Obsession Their Entire Life

Reality: Throughout their lifetime, a person with OCD can develop different obsessions that range in severity depending on several factors. OCD can manifest as a constant need for checking; as religious scrupulosity, where the individual has a compulsion to pray and has intense obsessions around sinning; as well as a fear of contamination that results in exhaustive cleaning rituals.

Long story short, while OCD does have set diagnostic criteria, it can also look a little different for everyone. These differences are one more reason why it’s essential to expose the myths surrounding the disorder.

Your thoughts and feelings are valid regardless of how OCD shows up in your life.

Living with OCD: What Comes Next

If you or a loved one struggle with unwanted and intrusive thoughts that significantly impact your quality of life, it may be time to speak with a professional. IOCDF can help you find a licensed therapist who specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help diagnose and combat your OCD.