Myths and Misconceptions About OCD
Myths and Misconceptions About OCD: Setting the Record Straight
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood, and there are plenty of myths and misconceptions about what it really means to live with the condition. It’s important to clear up these misunderstandings so that we can talk about OCD more accurately and compassionately. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at some of the most common myths surrounding OCD, and we’ll explain what the research says about the reality of living with OCD.
1. Myth: OCD is Just About Being Neat and Organized
One of the most common misconceptions about OCD is that it only involves a need for cleanliness and organization. While some people with OCD do experience compulsions related to cleanliness, such as washing hands repeatedly or cleaning obsessively, OCD is much more than that (Hirschfield, 2014). In fact, OCD involves intrusive, unwanted thoughts (called obsessions) that create intense anxiety, which then leads people to perform repetitive behaviors (compulsions) to try to alleviate that anxiety (Foa et al., 2005).
These obsessions can be about almost anything, not just cleanliness. For example, someone with OCD might be obsessed with fears about harming others, fears about making a mistake, or even irrational worries about whether they’ve done something “wrong” (Pinto et al., 2006). The behaviors that follow those thoughts are meant to neutralize the anxiety caused by the obsessions, not necessarily to make things neat or orderly.
2. Myth: Everyone Has a Little OCD
Another common myth is that everyone has “a little OCD” or that it’s just a matter of being a perfectionist. This myth is harmful because it downplays the severity of the disorder and can make those who suffer from it feel invalidated (Stewart et al., 2005). While it’s true that many people may have some tendencies toward organization or ritualistic behaviors, OCD is a clinical condition that significantly interferes with a person’s life. For example, people with OCD may spend hours a day engaging in compulsions, which can impact their ability to go to school, work, or maintain social relationships (Foa et al., 2005).
OCD isn’t just about being organized or liking things a certain way—it’s about intrusive thoughts and behaviors that take over a person’s life and cause real distress (Baer, 2009). So while some level of perfectionism or minor rituals may be normal, OCD goes far beyond that.
3. Myth: OCD Is a Choice, and People Can Just Stop
Many people mistakenly believe that someone with OCD can simply “choose” to stop their compulsions. This could not be further from the truth. OCD is a mental health condition, and the compulsive behaviors people with OCD engage in are not voluntary or conscious decisions (Foa et al., 2005). The need to perform these rituals is driven by overwhelming anxiety and the belief that something bad will happen if the behavior isn’t completed. It’s not about “wanting” to do something—it’s about feeling like they must do it to prevent something terrible from happening.
Research shows that people with OCD often struggle to control their compulsions despite knowing that the behaviors are irrational (Hirschfield, 2014). This is why treatment, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is so important—it helps people learn to resist compulsions in a controlled way (Foa et al., 2005).
4. Myth: OCD Only Affects Adults
It’s a common belief that OCD only affects adults, but that’s far from true. In fact, many people experience the onset of OCD symptoms during childhood or adolescence (Hirschfield, 2014). OCD can impact children as young as 6 or 7 years old, and the symptoms may look a little different in younger individuals. Children with OCD might have repetitive thoughts about bad things happening to their family or might engage in rituals like touching things a certain number of times to prevent harm (Pinto et al., 2006).
Because children with OCD often have a hard time explaining what they’re going through, their symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for simple “quirkiness” or “bad behavior.” This can delay diagnosis and treatment, which is why early recognition and intervention are so important (Stewart et al., 2005).
5. Myth: People with OCD Are Just Perfectionists
While perfectionism is a common trait among people with OCD, it’s not the same thing as the disorder itself. People with OCD don’t just want things to be perfect—they perform rituals to relieve the intense anxiety caused by their obsessive thoughts (Foa et al., 2005). For example, someone with OCD might have the obsession that they haven’t locked the door, even if they’ve checked it several times. To reduce the anxiety, they may feel compelled to check the door again and again, even if they know deep down that it’s locked (Pinto et al., 2006). This isn’t about perfection—it’s about anxiety and the need to reduce the distress caused by obsessive thoughts.
Perfectionism can certainly be a part of OCD, but it doesn’t define the disorder as a whole. OCD involves a much broader range of intrusive thoughts and behaviors, many of which have nothing to do with being perfect (Baer, 2009).
6. Myth: OCD Can Be Cured Overnight
Many people believe that OCD can be cured quickly with the right treatment, but this is another misconception. While treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication (like SSRIs) can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life, OCD is a chronic condition that requires ongoing care and management (Hirschfield, 2014). It’s a process, not a quick fix.
For example, CBT with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the most effective form of therapy for OCD, but it can take time for individuals to learn how to resist compulsions and manage their symptoms (Foa et al., 2005). People with OCD may experience setbacks, but with consistent treatment and support, they can learn to cope with the disorder and lead fulfilling lives.
7. Myth: OCD Always Involves Cleanliness and Washing
While contamination fears are a common form of OCD, they are far from the only type of OCD. People with OCD can have obsessions about anything—harm, morality, symmetry, or even fears of making mistakes (Stewart et al., 2005). The idea that OCD is only about cleanliness or washing is overly simplistic and doesn’t reflect the full range of experiences that people with OCD go through.
For example, someone with OCD might feel the need to repeat actions a certain number of times to prevent harm from occurring, or they might obsess about the possibility of causing harm to someone else. These kinds of obsessions don’t have anything to do with cleanliness or germs but are just as real and distressing for the person experiencing them (Baer, 2009).
OCD is often misunderstood, and these myths only serve to make it harder for those affected by the disorder to get the support they need. Understanding that OCD is about more than just neatness, and that it involves real anxiety-driven behaviors, is an important first step toward reducing stigma and offering more effective help. By recognizing the true nature of OCD, we can create a more supportive and compassionate environment for those living with it.
Baer, L. (2009). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 32(3), 551-563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2009.05.004
Foa, E. B., Huppert, J. D., & Leiberg, S. (2005). The anxiety disorders: Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Handbook of Anxiety and Fear, 503-540.
Hirschfield, R. (2014). Understanding obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 75(12), 1373-1380. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.13m08947
Pinto, A., & Smits, J. A. J. (2006). OCD and social functioning: An empirical study of the social difficulties in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 20(2), 318-324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2005.05.007
Stewart, M., Wessely, S., & Marks, M. (2005). The impact of OCD on social relationships. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 19(3), 282-292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2004.03.006
