Ocd, or, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

"Omg, I'm SO OCD"

No, you're not, Cassie.

You wouldn't say 'Omg im so anxiety disorder,' hell, you wouldn't say 'omg im so obsessive compulsive disorder'

Because, you know, that IS what you're saying, technically.

OCD isn't just being a clean freak.

OCD is developed usually in either teen years or adulthood, but sometimes it can be developed in childhood. We aren't sure on an exact cause - but enviremental circumstances may have something to do with it and it's partially genetic. It is lifelong with no cure.

Some symptoms of OCD include:

-Intrusive thoughts
-A compulsive need to do repetitive actions that temporarily help with intrusive thoughts
-Anxiety about getting horrible illnesses like Cancer
-Constant reassurance in your work
-hoarding

A fear of contamination is just one of the several types of OCD. Even then, it's not just being a clean freak - it's feeling the need to decontaminate things from the fear of intrusive thoughts.

Intrusive thoughts are thoughts that are, well, intrusive. You don't want them to be there but they are. They can be gory and disgusting, involving incest or murder or even something worse. These thoughts can affect someone's daily life, and for people with OCD, it links in with their compulsions. Just so you know, intrusive thoughts are NOT a reflection of that persons beliefs. Usually, the mind is trying to disturb you, so usually these thoughts are seen as really wrong by the person and they would never do that.

Common compulsions for someone with OCD are feeling the need to count repeatedly, knocking on things a certain amount of time and as previously mentionedn, decontaminating things.

Myths

-OCD is being a clean freak
-we're 'all a little OCD'
-They just need to 'be more relaxed'