‘nocd’, ‘OpenMindGymm’, ‘Riley’s Wish Foundation’, ‘Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta’,
‘Made of Millions’, ‘OCD Gamechangers’, ‘The OCD Stories’
This blog is the direct response from the non-profit ‘OCD Gamechangers’ along with leading organizations in our OCD community standing in solidarity in agreement of the irresponsibility on the part of The Wall Street Journal and Dr. Aboujaoude for publishing the Op-Ed article ‘We All Need OCD Now’. The content in the Op-Ed article not only spreads misinformation on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, but further fuels stigma and trivialization of an illness which causes tremendous suffering and debilitation.
A common phrase heard by providers who treat OCD and sufferers of OCD is:
“I wouldn’t wish the suffering OCD causes me on my worst enemy.”
So, in reading an article by a so-called ‘OCD expert’ beginning with, ‘He wouldn’t call it vindication, but my patient can hardly hide an air of “I told you so” as he contemplates a world that, overnight, has developed some familiar obsessions and compulsions”’, our community felt instantly taken aback.
Our response is in reference to the Wall Street Journal Op-Ed by Dr. Aboujaoude, clinical professor of psychiatry at Stanford titled “We All Need OCD Now”.
The article written by Dr. Aboujaoude is his response to the pandemic we are facing which has elevated the use of hand-washing, decontamination habits, and safe-distancing to ward off COVID-19 by people who would normally not adopt these behaviors.
Our direct response of disagreement and frustration with this article can be outlined in the following three points.
Individuals with OCD are not ‘reveling’ in people’s anxiety about COVID-19.
As stated above, individuals living with OCD often express their own frustration in the torment endured with OCD through feelings of not wishing their fate on even their worst enemy. To start an article off painting an entire group of individuals with the smug, juvenile position of ‘I told you so’, is perhaps the greatest slap in the face to our community.
Common traits among the community of individuals living with OCD tend to reflect empathy, compassion, and generosity. Individuals with OCD are typically incredibly mindful of others’ feelings and feel vigilantly attuned to the smallest degree of suffering in those around them.
As we watch society scrambling, riddled with fears and desperation on how to navigate this unprecedented worldwide norm of uncertainty, our OCD community has felt a deep, passionate responsibility to help others adjust as we have learned to adjust to our own battle with OCD for years. Webinars, virtual chats, panels with OCD lived experience, and hoards of information from OCD sufferers and therapists trying to normalize and give tips to those scared and flailing to adjust to the fears of not knowing and questions of ‘what if’ have been popping up as support. For those who have never experienced significant anxiety, the empathy and understanding from our community has been overwhelming and inspirational.
The time to trivialize OCD isn’t now, it isn’t ever.
Advocates, therapists, and OCD organizations alike have climbed the uphill battle since the dawning of the acronym ‘OCD’ to fight against the trivialization our society has latched onto at the expense of those who truly suffer.
Countless television, movies, and media outlets continue to perpetuate the idea that being ‘so OCD’ is quirky, beneficial, and everyone is ‘a little bit OCD’ in a funny way. Thoughtful, educational and informational responses by experts and sufferers to these claims are likely met with ‘stop being so PC’ or ‘you’re just too sensitive’. The frustration we feel in creating a dialogue and gaining momentum to stop the trivializing has been exhausting.
OCD is not just about contamination and organizing as it is often touted as comedy in the media. OCD consists of obsessions in the form of unwanted, intrusive thoughts accompanied by compulsions in the form of behavioral responses to reduce the anxiety and fear resulting from the obsession. Compulsions can manifest physically or mentally for individuals.
Intrusive thoughts may manifest in ways which an individual cannot identify or recognize as being OCD. They can be sexual, violent, blasphemous, relationship, health oriented, or any other thought invoking fear, uncertainty, and panic. The average time of suffering before receiving a diagnosis of OCD is 10-14 years. Studies indicate 25-40% of individuals with OCD suffer co-occurring with addiction/substance use, and individuals with OCD are 10x more likely to attempt suicide.
Part of the barrier to individuals seeking help is the misunderstanding of OCD due to perpetuating myths, jokes, and the inaccurate information such as what is being touted in Dr. Aboujaoude’s article. OCD is not something you can ‘become’ as stated in the Op-Ed. By even seeing this statement in print, the idea that everyone has ‘a little OCD or can become OCD’ does tremendous damage to those struggling in symptoms, struggling to know they meet diagnostic criteria, and struggling to find effective help.
OCD is not ‘used to one’s benefit’
Another widely perpetuated myth about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is one may have OCD but they can ‘turn it on and off to use it to their benefit’. This is by far one of the most trivializing and damaging beliefs about OCD.
When society portrays OCD as quirky habits that are fun and productive, those who truly suffer from it may experience feelings of shame and guilt. If OCD is easy or fun for others, why is it so bad for them? Why can’t they just ‘see the benefit’? Are they weaker than others? Are they stupid? What is wrong that they can’t just turn it around and use it to their advantage? The disconnect from individuals having compulsive tendencies that make them feel good vs someone suffering with a disorder plaguing them with anxiety and panic has zero comparison. When our society takes an actual illness and portrays it as advantageous, we are placing unnecessary expectations and shame on those who are truly struggling with it.
Individuals with OCD neither enjoy the obsessions nor the hours spent doing either physical or mental rituals. The presence of OCD is tormenting and terrifying. It becomes debilitating for individuals when they are consumed to the point of doing rituals that it interferes with their everyday life. There is no enjoyment in the rituals. There is no benefit. The byproduct of having OCD is suffering. It’s torment. And it’s grief and pain.
In conclusion.
We do not all need OCD now. We do not all need OCD ever. OCD is not something one can ‘call on in a time of need or crisis’ as a benefit. To portray this illness and the monumental suffering it causes people to be beneficial as Dr. Aboujaoude is doing during this time is careless, stigmatizing, irresponsible, and setting us back as a community in reaching people who desperately need help and treatment.
As individuals, therapists, and organizations who live with, treat, and advocate for OCD, we implore the Wall Street Journal and Dr. Aboujaoude to rethink the stance on this crucial message. The message you are sending not only further trivializes the excruciating cycle individuals with OCD live with daily, but you are encouraging the general public to accept the ignorance about a severe illness that destroys lives.
Thank you for your consideration.
The ‘OCD Gamechangers’ Board of Directors
Our goal is to create a dialogue in effort to decrease stigma, increase help and support around OCD, and change the public opinion on how OCD is portrayed based on facts. Please reach out to our community organizations below if you have questions, request more information, or want to help support our mission.
OCD Gamechangers: www.ocdgamechangers.com
Made of Millions: www.madeofmillions.com
nocd: www.treatmyocd.com
Riley’s Wish: www.rileyswish.com
The OCD Stories: www.theocdstories.com
Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta: www.anxietyspecialistsofatlanta.com
Treatment for OCD Consulting: www.chrissiehodges.com
OpenMindGymm: www.openmindgymm.com
