Everyone has obsessions, to a certain degree. Everyone has thought about a person, job or situation to the extent that it could be considered obsessive. That is not the root of the problem. Obsessive thoughts are natural, if and only if they are not a constant daily struggle, interfering with daily activities and the people around you.
Interesting OCD Facts
* It has been shown that approximately 2.3% of the population between the ages of 18 and 54 suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is in fact, more common than schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other panic disorders.
* Nearly 1/3 to 1/2 of all sufferers will find that their OCD is linked to childhood. In fact, although uncommon, some people will show signs as early as preschool. However, age six is when diagnosis is possible due to linguistic ability associated with their age.
* The average onset is between the ages of 6 – 15 for males and 20 – 29 for females, and is typically diagnosed before the age of 40.
* Less than ten percent of people suffering from OCD actually report it and get treatment
* OCD symptoms tend to get worse with high stress, illness and fatigue.
Misconceptions about OCD
* Quite possibly one of the biggest misunderstandings is that OCD is brought on because of a poor upbringing, or neglect. Fortunately, research has concluded that the brain of someone with OCD functions differently than someone without the disorder.
* One of the most painful misconceptions people with OCD deal with is the assumptions people make. Many people think for example, that OCD is being used as an excuse for not doing certain things. Or, worse yet, that the person is lazy or week. OCD is very real and they are no more able to control their behavior as someone with ADHD.
* People assume that having OCD is the same as being crazy. Although people with OCD may have some bizarre rituals or obsessions that are out of the ordinary, but that does not make them crazy. What is true about this is that people with OCD often struggle with the feeling that they are losing their mind, but the truth is that they are not.
* Another thing many people do not understand about OCD is that people with OCD have obsessions, but they are not obsessed. People with OCD do not do what they do to harm others. It is to make them content and happy. People often link OCD to movies like Fatal Attraction, when in fact, that movie has nothing to do with OCD but psychotic tendencies.
When it comes down to it, ritual behaviors and obsessions have to do with the person being afraid of something or the consequence of not doing something. To fully understand and especially to judge OCD behaviors, you have to educate yourself and furthermore, look at it in a larger context.
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