Unraveling misconceptions about OCD

BY BARON KIM

THE MIRROR STAFF

In 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