My Two Cents

“I’m SO OCD!” … But Are You Really?

 Understanding the Difference Between Personality Quirks and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

​If I had a dollar for every time I've shared with someone that I specialize in treating anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and that person responds that their husband or co-worker - or even their child -  "must be OCD because they are super organized", "they have to load the dishwasher a certain way" or "they like to be really clean" - Well, I'd have A LOT of dollars.

Could these folks have OCD? Sure, it's possible. However, by definition OCD is something that causes a person distress or interferes with their day-to-day life. That guy who likes the dishwasher loaded a certain way? Well, I'd want to know: How long does it take him to load it perfectly? Does he feel the need to do other things perfectly? How bothersome does it feel if he's prevented from loading it the "right way"? Does he fear anything bad will happen if it's not done "correctly"?

The truth is, all people have quirks. Some people color-code their calendars, insist on Meatless Mondays, or only do laundry on Sundays. These might be preferences, or even personality traits, but they are not the same thing as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Similarly, many people describe themselves as perfectionists and use ‘OCD’ to explain their Type A tendencies. OCD is not simply a sign of being high achieving or detail-oriented; a person with OCD doesn’t feel satisfied when things are “perfect" - they feel temporary relief from overwhelming anxiety. But the urge to perfect... or clean... or count... will return again and again.

What OCD Actually Is: Obsessions
OCD is characterized by Obsessions - these are intrusive, unwanted, distressing thoughts, images, or urges. These tend to occur repeatedly and are most often about things that either frighten or disgust a person.

For instance, let's say you're on a shopping trip, you start to think about all the things you've touched while at the store - the cart, the shelves, the cereal boxes. You remember it's flu season, and suddenly you’re worrying you may have come into contact with flu germs. Oh gosh, what if you get sick? And what if you get your kids sick? Does this make you an irresponsible parent?

These thoughts are not simply quirks - they are upsetting to the person and repetitive.

What OCD Also Is: Compulsions
OCD is also characterized by Compulsions - these are physical or mental behaviors done in an effort to reduce distress caused by obsessions.

Perhaps, in the shopping scenario above, you find the nearest bathroom to wash your hands. Or perhaps, the compulsion is less visible. Maybe you feel you need to mentally retrace all the surfaces you've come into contact with during your shopping trip. Did I touch the door handle when I opened it? Was the handle of the cart sticky? How about the keypad when I checked out?

Compulsions might bring relief but it's always temporary. That's because OCD loves getting your attention. So you can almost bet those distressing thoughts will pop up again -- along with the urges to wash, or sanitize, or mentally review. This cycle is what keeps OCD going.

Why Saying “I’m SO OCD” Matters
Is saying "I'm SO OCD" a problem, if you're not actually experiencing OCD?  Well, sort of.

You see, by describing neatness or personal preferences as OCD, it really minimizes the severity of struggle experienced by those who have true OCD.  It can also make it harder for people with OCD to recognize their symptoms and seek help.

The good news is that help is available for OCD in the form of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a specific type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and can be done with or without medication for OCD. ERP helps people gradually face their fears, learn to tolerate discomfort and uncertainty, and resist compulsions—ultimately breaking the OCD cycle.