[Music]
there are many myths attached to
obsessive-compulsive disorder people
often simplify it and believe that it
has to do with cleanliness and
organization as the child of a mother
who struggles with it I can confirm that
this is not true once my mother saw her
a psychiatrist to be professionally
diagnosed and treated her lifestyle has
improved significantly I'm proud of her
for taking such a big important step and
will continue to provide support we
created this video to bring awareness to
this highly misunderstood mental
disorder we hope it can reduce stigma
and make it easier to talk about here
are five highly misunderstood facts you
need to know about OCD one germophobia
does not define OCD this is perhaps the
most common misconception about OCD
psychologist Barbara Markway states that
she's worked with patients with OCD who
aren't afraid of germs at all while it
is true that some can be fixated on
cleaning and organizing many others face
different obsessions such as flicking a
switch on and off turning knobs on
stoves and opening and closing doors my
mother does all three of these and also
taps her fingers repeatedly on surfaces
- stress does not cause OCD it's more
than just your average worrying when
someone has OCD they can't relax when
their fears and anxiety cloud their
judgments consequently people with OCD
often feel stuck helpless and
overwhelmed which is where their
obsessions kick in before seeking
treatment my mother lived through dark
days stating that even when she felt
like dropping dead she couldn't stop her
rituals they tore her apart making her
feel like she had no choice but to
repeat them again and again it's like
being haunted but by the voices in your
head
three relaxing does not treat OCD just
like anxiety and depression OCD doesn't
simply disappear at one's will telling
someone to stop their obsessions
compulsions and rituals altogether is
not only insensitive but absurd people
with OCD have regions in their brain
that are structured differently than
those who do not have it if you know
someone struggling with OCD nurture
understanding and let them know
treatment options are available such as
psychotherapy and medication my mother
does both in order to maximize effective
results for OCD isn't always obvious
similar to anxiety and depression there
are hidden signs to OCD as well you'd be
surprised to know that some of the most
put together successful people out there
are silently struggling with OCD they
fear letting others in afraid that they
will be judged for having it people with
OCD have trouble tuning out their inner
criticism so they drown in perfectionism
on the surface they might look like
they're doing well but inside it's
always a different story when they're
gasping for air five OCD doesn't make
you more productive in life
OCD does not make someone's work ethic
better before my mom sought treatment
I'd watch her lose hours of sleep doing
tasks such as completing house chores
and running errands then I'd see her
rush to work last minute because she
felt like she couldn't put those things
down now
OCD no longer controls her and she feels
like she has a say on what happens her
rituals obsessions and compulsions
haven't fully gone away but she can
manage them better today I feel like she
can recognize herself again although she
faced many tragedies throughout her life
that made her condition worse by seeking
treatment practicing self-awareness and
making other lifestyle changes such as
embracing nature and exercising daily
she's found ways to fight her anxiety
she's come a long way and if you're
someone who struggles with OCD as well
we want to remind you that it doesn't
define who you are
which of these facts did you find most
helpful or interesting please leave your
thoughts down below if you or someone
else you know struggles with OCD we have
provided some useful sources that can be
found in our description box below also
be sure to subscribe to our channel for
more helpful tips and share this video
with others with your help
we can reach more people to spread
awareness on mental health issues thanks
for watching
you