What People Don't Understand About Living with OCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, commonly known as OCD, is a mental health condition that affects many people worldwide. However, there are many aspects of living with OCD that people with this condition often don't understand. Let’s shed light on the daily struggles and lives of people with OCD.

OCD Triggers: It’s Not Just About Cleanliness

The majority of people have the misconception that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a problem of cleanliness or order. However, this is simply not true. OCD manifests in many forms, and cleanliness is one of them. However, it is only a symptom. For people with OCD, cleanliness is only one part of their problematic associations.

People with OCD often have disturbing thoughts that are difficult to get rid of. For example,

• Thoughts of being hurt by loved ones
• Fear of germs
• Disturbing, violent, or sexual images

They know these thoughts are silly, but they still can't stop thinking about them. This can lead to feelings of shame, fear of God, and dread. Sometimes, these thoughts continue to flood their minds throughout the day.

The Never Mind Stops Thoughts:

Living with OCD means wrestling with countless thoughts. These aren't just worries, but irrational, frightening thoughts that take root in the mind. For example, a person with OCD may have thoughts of permanently hurting someone else, even if they've never imagined doing so. These thoughts can be so irresistible that they sometimes persist for long periods of time, causing them to feel extremely anxious and distressed.

A person with this Obsessive Compulsive Disorder feels as if they're playing a video game in their mind, and the game has become so complex that they can't win. They may perform rituals for hours to ward off or neutralize these thoughts. This internal struggle exhausts the person and can make them feel as if there is no way out, which can lead to depression.

Compulsions Are Not a Choice:

People living with OCD often wonder why it is so difficult for them to stop themselves from engaging in compulsions. However, a person with OCD truly feels there is no other way. They believe that doing nothing means something terrible will happen. For example, forget to lock the door, and the thought of an intruder opening the door.

Constant struggle with Doubts:

For example, a person living with OCD feels the need to check the stove multiple times before leaving the house. They know the stove won't be lit, but the thought of a fire frightens them so much that they are compelled to check it repeatedly.

Impact on Daily Life:

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can significantly impact a person's daily life. Simple tasks that may seem easy to others can be extremely difficult and time-consuming for people with OCD.

Impact on Relationships:

A person with OCD may also feel bad for the suffering they cause their loved ones, which increases their own anxiety and stress. In some situations, a person with OCD may try to avoid certain social interactions or relationships altogether, fearing that their symptoms will interfere or that others will become aware of their struggles. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and abandonment, which can worsen the situation.

Emotional Burden:

People living with OCD often feel isolated and unrecognized, even with family and friends. This internal conflict is so subjective that in most situations, it is attributed to a personality disorder, so they hide their habits from others.

Furthermore, they don't accept that they won't be able to make friends or maintain long-term relationships because they fear that others will discover their "flaws" or think they're crazy.

Misunderstanding OCD as a Joke:

Many people sometimes use the term "OCD" jokingly, especially when talking about someone who is extremely organized or neat. This misuse of the term is not funny at all and can be cruel to those who actually have a problem. The obsessions and their subsequent compulsive rituals are not a joke or a prank, but a life-threatening suffering that truly hurts.

By not taking Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) seriously, people with this condition often feel inferior and worthless. They may think, "I wonder if they knew how much I struggle every day, wouldn't they use the word so casually?" This lack of understanding can lead to unpleasant feelings like isolation and a fear of seeking help.

The Fatigue of Living with OCD:

Living with OCD is emotionally and physically exhausting. The constant intrusion of thoughts, time-consuming rituals, and internal conflict can leave a person feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Simple tasks that others might not even consider challenging can require a person with OCD to expend excessive energy and effort.

This difficulty can directly impact various areas of a person's life. The person may feel so exhausted that they are unable to do things they previously enjoyed or are unable to be as active in their social life as they should be, all of which are major factors in diminishing quality of life.

The Challenge of Seeking Help:

Many people living with OCD have a fear of treatment. They hesitate to tell others, fearing they will be considered abnormal and exaggerate their condition. Revealing their OCD to family, friends, or taking therapy can be the most terrifying thing for them.

How to Ignore OCD Urges?

There's no doubt that battling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) daily is exhausting, and it's certainly frustrating and overwhelming for the patient and the entire family. However, help is available, and identifying a problem is the first step toward receiving the necessary treatment. Treatment options for OCD are:

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Teaches the brain the right way to behave when the thought of OCD comes.

ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention): Gradually confront the compulsive fears and restrict engagement in rituals.

Medication: SSRIs and SNRIs, in combination with talk therapy, have been shown to reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Mindfulness and Meditation: Aids in identifying and releasing obsessive or compulsive thoughts without getting detected.

Support Groups: Interaction and understanding together with those who have undergone a similar experience.

Lifestyle Changes: Exercise, enough rest, and eating a balanced diet for overall health and well-being.

The Takeaway

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a complex and difficult condition that is not as simple as it is often portrayed on social media. It involves a persistent struggle with obsessions and compulsions, and the person lives with constant anxiety and uncertainty. However, OCD can be managed with treatment.

It is important to understand that OCD is a mental health problem that requires open discussion and understanding.