In modern day-media, such as television shows, we often see attempted depictions of OCD. For example, take Monica from ‘Friends’ or Sheldon from ‘Big Bang Theory’. The term “OCD” is thrown around so much that it has practically lost its true meaning.
To have a clear understanding of OCD, let’s first look at its true definition. According to webmd.com, OCD is defined as:
“Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations (obsessions) or the urge to do something over and over again (compulsions). Some people can have both obsessions and compulsions.”
Now, everyone has obsessive thoughts or behaviors now and then, but they don’t usually disrupt their daily lives – meaning it isn’t classified as OCD. For people with OCD, they have no choice but to think about their compulsions, allowing them to take over their daily lives and actions. People don’t realize that OCD is a type of mental illness that significantly impacts people’s lives.
One misconception about OCD is that it relates to cleanliness (the compulsion to clean, order, and arrange items or areas). However, OCD isn’t as simple as that. People with OCD constantly have thoughts about their compulsions, which can cause them a lot of anxiety and lead to rash behaviors.
Description by Shattering the Stigma