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Since it seems like some of you guys need me to spell this out for you, here goes:
Why using “I’m so OCD” as a figure of speech is harmful: a thread.
Why using “I’m so OCD” as a figure of speech is harmful: a thread.
Let’s assume you know nothing about OCD and start out with the basics: OCD stands for obsessive compulsive disorder. It’s a mental illness that affects about 1 in every 100 adults. Symptoms include distressing intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, and often severe anxiety.
OCD was ranked by the WHO as the 10th most disabling disorder. It can decrease functioning/focus and lead to depression and even suicidal thoughts or actions. People with OCD are 10 times more likely to commit suicide or have suicidal thoughts/behavior than the general population
In short, OCD is debilitating. But what’s the harm in saying “I’m so OCD” when the majority of people know it as a figure of speach meaning clean and organized? It all comes down and to stigma.
Every time someone says “I’m so OCD” when what they mean is that they’re clean or organized, they’re perpetuating stigma (harmful, false information and stereotypes) about a disorder that is already frequently misdiagnosed.
Stigma makes people with undiagnosed symptoms of OCD less likely seek help or even recognize their symptoms as OCD (since the only representation they’ve encountered has been so stigmatised)
In short, saying “I’m so OCD” is part of a bigger problem: stigma over time builds a false perception of a serious mental illness and discourages people with severe symptoms from seeking the help they need.
Saying “I’m so OCD” is also just ableist. OCD is a disability listed by the ADA. As someone who has it, I can tell you that it has been incredibly disabling for me personally.
If you’re still not convinced that saying “I’m so OCD” or using “OCD” as a figure of speech is harmful, it’s also just hurtful to people who fight OCD everyday. We have to live with a chronic, debilitating illness and your “figure of speech” is belittling our suffering.
Learn more about OCD at http://iocdf.org
That’s all I have to say for now. I’ll add more if I think of it. This thread is not meant to call anyonw our. The goal of making it was just to educate as best I could.
I think I covered most of it but let me know if I missed anything
