We all must have come across people who are obsessed about cleaning and arranging things and casually calling themselves the victim of OCD - Obsessive Compulsive disorder. However, most of them do not even know what OCD actually means. In reality, OCD is one of the highly misunderstood health conditions.
OCD is more than just being a cleanliness freak, it’s a serious mental illness. It isn’t just an obsession with cleaning things or fear of being contaminated by germs, it is much more than that.
OCD is a serious mental issue with a high level of anxiety and emotional distress. Most importantly not every person suffering from OCD has the obsession to keep things around them spotless.
Here are 5 common myths associated with OCD to clear your concept about it. Myth: All clean freaks have OCD Nope, that is not true at all. In fact, cleaning is just one of the several OCD related compulsions. This compulsion differs from people to people and only a fraction of people suffering from this mental condition are obsessed with keeping things around them tidy.
Other than fear of germs or contamination, a person suffering from this mental condition may also have a fear of committing a sin, fear of a loved one dying, fear of becoming a sexual predator and others.
Other symptoms of OCD are counting, repeating certain movements, hand-washing, praying, tapping or touching objects, etc. Myth: A person with OCD can be easily identified You may find it hard to believe, but a number of people suffering from OCD can hide the symptoms easily in public. You may meet them, spend time with them, but still would not be able to know about their issues. Myth: People with OCD just need to chill If you are also one of those who think that OCD is a result of excessive stress, then you are absolutely wrong. The stressful condition might exacerbate symptoms in the people with OCD, but it does not cause it. For a normal person, being a clean freak, might just seem comical and they might advise the person suffering from this order to relax or chill. But it is crucial to understand that the compulsion issue is not a personality trait, but is a disease.

Myth: OCD is not treatable

A score of people does not take treatment for OCD, due to all the stigma attached with mental illness. It is important to seek therapy if you are suffering from this mental condition. OCD cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with proper therapy and medication.

Myth: OCD is rare in children

OCD is not specific to any age. It can happen to a child as young as 4 years old.

Source: indiatimes.com