What Is OCD? Separating Fact from Fiction
Growing up, I assumed OCD meant someone who likes things clean or someone who avoids stepping on the cracks of a sidewalk. While both of these examples may be true for individuals who struggle with contamination OCD and harm OCD, there are over 50 subtypes of OCD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is widely misunderstood, often portrayed inaccurately in the media or minimized in everyday language. I frequently hear, “Oh, sorry, this is just my OCD talking.” OCD is much more complex and hindering than how it is interpreted or understood. Here are common misconceptions about OCD, along with the facts:
Misconception #1: OCD is just about being neat or clean.
Reality:
While some people with OCD have contamination fears (i.e., obsessions) and cleaning rituals (i.e., compulsions), OCD is much broader. It can involve fears of harming others, intrusive taboo thoughts, a need for symmetry, or compulsive checking. It’s not just about cleanliness or organization.
Misconception #2: Everyone is "a little OCD."
Reality:
Having preferences for cleanliness or order does not mean that you have OCD. OCD is a serious mental health disorder marked by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and compulsive behaviors that are distressing, time-consuming, and impair daily life. It’s not a personality quirk.
Misconception #3: People with OCD can just stop if they try hard enough.
Reality:
OCD is not about someone’s willpower. The compulsions are driven by anxiety and a desire to relieve obsessive fears. It often requires professional treatment like Exposure Response Prevention Therapy and/or medication to manage.
Misconception #4: OCD is caused by bad parenting or trauma.
Reality:
Research shows that the cause of OCD is rooted in biological, genetic, and environmental factors. While trauma or stress can exacerbate symptoms, OCD is not caused directly by parenting style or a single life event.
Misconception #5: OCD is rare.
Reality:
OCD affects about 1–2% of the population, making it relatively common. Many cases go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed due to stigma or misunderstanding. Unfortunately, individuals with pedophilia OCD or harm OCD may go undiagnosed, and even mental health professionals may misdiagnose them, thinking they are a danger to themselves or someone else. In reality, individuals with pedophilia OCD or harm OCD are less likely to harm themselves or someone else. Due to the shame and stigma that these subtypes of OCD bring, several people do not feel comfortable sharing the extent of their obsessions or thoughts, which leads to fewer diagnoses.
Misconception #6: People with OCD enjoy their routines and rituals, and they are just being selfish.
Reality:
Most people with OCD do not want to perform their compulsions — they do them to reduce overwhelming anxiety. The routines are often exhausting, not enjoyable.
Misconception #7: OCD is always visible.
Reality:
Some forms of OCD, like what is called “Pure O” or Pure Obsessional OCD, involve only mental compulsions (like repeating phrases in one’s head or mentally neutralizing thoughts). These are harder to see but just as distressing for the individual who is struggling.
Misconception #8: If someone doesn’t appear anxious, they don’t have OCD.
Reality:
Some people with OCD can hide their symptoms well or experience emotional numbness rather than overt anxiety. The internal distress may not always be visible.
Misconception #9: OCD is the same for everyone.
Reality:
OCD is highly individualized. OCD will latch on to whatever is essential to each individual. Common themes include:
Contamination
Harm
Religious or moral obsessions (scrupulosity)
Sexual intrusive thoughts
Need for symmetry
Existential fears
Misconception #10: OCD is untreatable.
Reality:
OCD is highly treatable, especially with therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and sometimes medication (like SSRIs). Early and consistent treatment improves quality of life significantly. ERP is the Gold Standard treatment for OCD and has a high efficacy rate for recovery.
If you believe you are struggling with OCD, reach out to one of our providers today, and we will give you an assessment called Y-BOCS, which will allow your therapist to understand what type of OCD you may be struggling with and how to best support you in your journey of recovery.
