5 Myths About OCD You've Heard Before
What people know about OCD mostly comes from jokes and TV. These are five myths I hear all the time as an OCD therapist, and what OCD looks like instead.
By Nathan Peterson, LCSW, OCD therapistOCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is a loop. An unwanted thought shows up (the obsession). It brings anxiety or doubt. You do something to feel better (the compulsion). The relief teaches your brain the thought mattered, so it comes back louder.
Myth 1: OCD is only about being clean or organized
Cleaning and order are a small part of OCD. OCD can latch onto almost anything you care about:
- Harm OCD: fear of hurting someone
- Relationship OCD: doubts about your partner
- HOCD: doubts about your sexual orientation
- Religious OCD: fear of sinning
- Contamination OCD: fear of germs or getting sick
- Pure OCD: OCD where the rituals happen in your head
Liking a tidy desk isn't OCD. OCD is when the thoughts and rituals take up time and get in the way.
Myth 2: If you know the thought is silly, it shouldn't bother you
With OCD, you can know your fear is unlikely and still get stuck on it. OCD runs on doubt, and "unlikely" isn't enough for it. So you check, wash, or ask one more time to be sure.
That's the trap. The compulsion brings relief for a moment, and the relief is what keeps the loop going.
Myth 3: OCD is caused by trauma
Trauma isn't the usual cause of OCD. The exact cause isn't known, but genetics and brain differences seem to play a part. Stressful times, including trauma, can make OCD start or flare. They aren't the root cause for most.
It also isn't caused by bad parenting. Parents don't give their kids OCD.
Myth 4: People with OCD can stop thinking about it
Trying to stop a thought makes it stickier. Tell yourself not to think about something and it shows up more. You can't choose to stop OCD thoughts, and you don't need to.
The goal in treatment isn't to get rid of the thought. It's to let it be there and stop doing the rituals. I know, that sounds like giving up. It's the opposite. Read more on how to stop intrusive thoughts from taking over.
Myth 5: OCD is a phase
OCD often goes up and down, and the theme can change over time. That can look like a phase. It usually doesn't go away by waiting, though. The good news is that OCD responds well to treatment.
What to do if you think you have OCD
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the main treatment for OCD. You practice facing the fear and skipping the ritual, a little at a time. You can work with an OCD therapist, learn ERP in a program, or both.
Next time an OCD thought shows up, don't argue with it. Say "There's OCD again," and bring it along while you do what you were doing.
If you want help building the whole plan, that's what Master Your OCD is for.
Common questions about OCD
What is OCD, in simple terms?
OCD is a loop. An unwanted thought shows up, it brings anxiety or doubt, and you do something to feel better, like checking, asking, or analyzing. That relief teaches your brain the thought was important, so it comes back.
Is everyone a little OCD?
No. Liking things tidy isn't OCD. OCD is when unwanted thoughts and the rituals that follow take up time and get in the way of your life.
Can OCD go away on its own?
OCD often goes up and down, but it usually doesn't go away by waiting. Treatment like exposure and response prevention (ERP) helps most.
How do I know if I have OCD?
A licensed professional can diagnose OCD. Take the free OCD test to get a starting point before you talk to someone.
