By: Jess Myers, PLPC
October is OCD Awareness Month, and this Sunday marks the start of OCD Awareness Week. But what does OCD awareness really mean? And why is awareness so important for people in the OCD community?
OCD awareness means access to care.
A common phrase that is said in my therapy room is, “Wait… that’s OCD?” It’s frequently said by a client who just realized the loop of ritualizing that they have been stuck in for years actually has a name and is more than just anxiety.
When clients have this realization, I feel torn about it: both relieved for them, because knowing is the first step to finding relief, but also disheartened that they had to wait so long to learn. Recognizing OCD matters because it opens the door to the right treatment, and that is so important!
OCD awareness means moving beyond stereotypes.
OCD is often depicted in movies and TV shows as hand washing and avoidance of germs. While this is absolutely a common way that OCD can present itself, it can be so many other things too. OCD is incredibly diverse! Some (of many) OCD themes include harm, religious scrupulosity, relationships, perfectionism, symmetry, morality and confessing, and yes, contamination. OCD can latch onto almost anything. But all of the themes have this in common: cycles of obsessions and compulsive rituals aimed at resolving, preventing, or neutralizing the distress caused by doubt and uncertainty.
OCD awareness means removing the stigma.
Talking about OCD can be difficult, especially when the content of the obsession involves something that feels disturbing, shameful, or inconsistent with who you really are. Unfortunately, stigma can make people afraid to talk about these experiences at all. They may worry that they will be misunderstood or judged. This can lead to a lot of suffering in silence. OCD awareness means talking about OCD, finding community, and knowing that you are not alone.
Awareness is not the finish line.
But awareness and recognizing OCD can be an enormous first step! It can turn “What is going on with me?” into “This is OCD.” This OCD Awareness Week, let’s keep talking about OCD to move beyond the stereotypes, make it easier for people to recognize their own experiences, and help people find the correct treatment.