the MIRROR
Unraveling misconceptions about OCD BY BARON KIM
I
THE MIRROR STAFF
n a world that frequently romanticizes perfectionism, the reality of ObsessiveCompulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood. This reality is something that junior Tiffany Marin Torres navigates daily. For her, OCD isn’t about a penchant for neatness, fear of germs or need for symmetry, but a relentless bombardment of intrusive anxious thoughts which lead to compulsive behaviors. “The most common misconception about OCD is that OCD only presents itself in a very aggressive and expressive manner when that’s really not the case,” Marin Torres explained. “I feel like it can be very subtle for me.” OCD entails obsessions that manifest as unwanted, intrusive thoughts that prompt compulsions and behavioral rituals. “For me, when my OCD gets triggered I usually experience symptoms of immense anxiety and sudden urges to reassure those anxious thoughts,” Marin Torres said. “I’ll have recurring thoughts of concern about whether I’ve completed a task or if I’ve done it correctly or properly and that will lead me to impulsively go check if I’ve done it.” Her narrative sheds light on the common misunderstanding that OCD solely manifests through overt rituals or extreme orderliness as often portrayed in movies or TV shows. The depiction of OCD in pop culture, shown in examples such as Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory,” Adrian Monk from “Monk” and Monica Geller from “Friends,” veils the true nature of this disorder, feeding into the stigma surrounding it. “When people find out that I have OCD, they usually are in disbelief,” Marin Torres shared. “They usually don’t perceive me as the type of person to have OCD, although they say that it makes sense because I am a perfectionist. ” The societal unawareness surrounding OCD goes beyond mere misconceptions. It paves the way for unsolicited skepticism and condescension directed toward people diagnosed with OCD, further exacerbating their anxiety and isolation. Through the narratives of individuals like Marin Torres, a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of OCD can be fostered, challenging the baseless stereotypes and promoting a more supportive environment for those grappling with the disorder.
FALL 2023 | 9
| LIFESTYLE |
Students in the
workforce Valuable experiences,
but endless sacrifices THE MIRROR | MICHAEL ARREDONDO
BY DAIMLER KOCH
L
THE MIRROR ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ife as a teenager is complicated enough as is. Daily homework assignments, late nights, social media and college applications are just a few of the issues that send high school students into a stressful fray. Yet, some have another responsibility compounded onto their already-busy lives: a part-time job. According to The Mirror’s survey, 43 percent of students polled have worked a part-time job during their time in high school. While fewer teens today hold jobs outside of school than previous generations, LAUSD schools do not have resources designed to cater specifically to student workers. Senior Jonathan Macias used to be one of those student workers. A teaching assistant at Sylvan Park Elementary, he tutors mostly fourth and fifth graders in their studies. He chose to be a teaching assistant because he wanted to earn pocket money as well as gain a skill that would make his college applications look more appealing. “I worked as often as possible from Monday through Friday,” he said, reflecting back on his experience. “After school ends here, I’d go over there and work from four to six.” Macias noted that, while he was able to keep his academics in check, he often ended up needing to sacrifice his social life and his sleep schedule. “My friends usually hang out after school,” he said. “I couldn’t really go with them because I had a job. I also didn’t get that much sleep because I had to maintain my academics and my job at the same time.” For senior Kate Tetvadze, the opposite is true. She works as a hostess at Stanley’s, a restaurant serving American cuisine in Sherman Oaks. “I chose to work weekends because I need all the time I can get during the week to complete my assignments and study,” Tetvadze said. “Sometimes, I do have to be careful with making plans during the weekends because coworkers won’t always be available for coverage.” Her employment does make it difficult to participate in extracurricular activities and sports, however. “Many sports practices and clubs have events during the weekends, so I can’t essentially join them,” she said.
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CASH FROM COFFEE Senior Anastasia Petrova works as a barista at Panera Bread in Encino, a job that allows her to expand her social skills and earn her own money.
According to The Mirror’s survey, 43 percent of students polled have worked a part-time job during their time in high school. While her social life isn’t affected by her job, which she works on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, her academics and her sleep are. “I don’t sleep till one, two, three a.m.,” she said. “Sometimes I take a nap and I just wake up too late, and I don’t have time for homework. Thankfully, most of my teachers allow extensions and are very lenient, so sometimes I have to do what I have to do and push back the homeworks that aren’t necessarily due the next day.” Macias and Tetvadze aren’t alone in this aspect. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, in 2018, an average of 73 percent of high school students in the U.S. reported getting less than eight hours of sleep per night. Students working part-time jobs contribute to this statistic. Screentime caused by excessive social media and homework use also contributes to sleeplessness in teens. In the long term, sleep deprivation is associated with increased alcohol use, behavioral issues and depression. Senior Anastasia Petrova is one of the few to put an emphasis on sleep. As a Panera Bread barista who works closing shifts on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights, she often finds herself with little time to do homework from her six AP classes. She often completes her homework during school hours instead.
MISREPRESENTED While OCD has been stereotyped in pop culture as
an obsession with orderliness, it is actually a condition that prompts compulsive behavior via intrusive thoughts. GRAPHIC FOR THE MIRROR | RYAN OCFEMIA
“I prioritize sleep over homework a lot of the time,” she said. “That’s why some of my homework gets done at school. If I’m too tired to get the work done, I’d rather just sleep and get it done the next day.” In spite of the enormous pressure they have received from their jobs, all three have said that they have benefited from working a part-time job. Improved social skills is a common theme among them. “I’ve gained a lot of useful skills,” Macias said. “Before, I wasn’t that good with kids. I didn’t really tolerate them that much, but nowadays I kind of feel like I matured more and can talk with them.” Additionally, working a part-time job helped these students develop a strong work ethic and a stronger sense of independence that comes with earning income. “I feel like the main benefit I get out of my job is the money,” Petrova said. “At this current point in time, I prefer being more or less financially independent and being able to buy myself whatever I need rather than relying on my parents.” All three recommend that high schoolers get a job, so long as their school schedule, extracurriculars and homework allow for it. “It definitely depends on the person and their situation,” Petrova said. “If someone’s schedule doesn’t work with having a job, it wouldn’t be optimal. However, if it works out, I would recommend the experience.”
