“I’m a bit ocd”

Does anyone else think there is actually some truth to this? I totally get why people hate that phrase however I do know people in my life who seem a bit “ocd” but not enough for a diagnosis. My bf for example is terrified of smelling bad. He will make me smell the same jumper three times to make sure it doesn’t smell (I do try to discourage this behaviour don’t worry) and he has many many more checks he does and also was beyond terrified of infecting his loved ones with covid and barely went out. My sister has this bed bugs thing and fears of STIs that’s kept her up at night at times. My mum had this weird thing with composition in paintings having to be absolutely perfect and charting every single point - to an extent that this is all she did obsessively for about two years. Is it just anxiety? I know it could be ocd but apart from these things I’ve never noticed anything.

Nica

Date posted: 2y

Everyone is different and will have varying degrees of OCD symptoms

anxiousmess

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

i think it’s possible yes

realconshus

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

I don't agree with this statement. People can very particular about certain things, but be very clear, you either have OCD or you don't. It's like saying because you have a cold and but some of the symposium might be something someone who has cancer deals with and saying "I have a little cancer." Don't confuse quirks with OCD, I mean isn't that why we get frustrated when someone says " I'm so OCD?" No you're not and unless your boyfriend spends his whole day worrying about smelling bad to the point that he has extreme anxiety and starts doing avoidance behaviors and avoiding even going out in public, he does not have OCD, even just a little bit.

anxiousmess

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@realconshus yeah i actually agree with this more

realconshus

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Anonymous Also, agreeing that everyone is a bit OCD marginilizes all of those who actually struggle with it. If everyone is a bit OCD then that could potentially mean that what I deal with is actually who I am and if that's the case, I am very confused!

sparrow

Date posted: 2y

@realconshus I really get where you are coming from. It annoys me too when people say that kind of stuff. However, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder about 5 years ago and struggle a lot less than I used to but still technically have clinical depression 🤷🏻‍♀️ Similar for people who come out the other side of healing their ocd. We know that everyone has intrusive thoughts but people with ocd respond differently. Also particularly interesting is that ocd brains are different as ocd causes them to change significantly - reduction in grey matter etc. But biology especially isn’t a black and white thing right? Almost everything is a spectrum when it comes to our bodies. I knew many other kids doing ocd type behaviours as kids but who just grew out of it. And actually yes tbh this smell thing really does impact my boyfriend’s quality of life it makes it difficult for him to do his job and he does things like go to the bathroom and compulsively wash his underarms throughout the day - it seems to be how his anxiety manifests but I can’t say for certain. I don’t think he has full blown ocd like I do because otherwise he’s completely fine. I do know it’s a controversial view to have and I hope I didn’t upset you! Just something I have been thinking about recently.

realconshus

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@sparrow Thank you for sharing this. I am sorry your boyfriend experiences this. It sounds like something is definitely happening with him, maybe he should see someone. If it impacts his life in that way, it's probably something he could talk to someone about. You didn't upset me, I allowed it to bother me. I am really struggling with ROCD right now and it triggered me, no worries.

sparrow

Date posted: 2y

@realconshus That’s ok I totally understand 😌

realconshus

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

That should have said symptoms of cancer, not symposium 😂

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