How to respond to misinformation

The other day I disclosed to an acquaintance that I have OCD as part of a larger conversation. She interrupted me to say “I mean, don’t you think we’re all a little OCD?” I said no, that’s it’s a clinical disorder that requires the person to meet specific criteria to be diagnosed. I’m wondering how you all respond to moments like this? I am trying hard not to read into it and take it personally and instead see it as an opportunity to provide psycho education, and I’d love ideas of what to say!

Username: Brennan JBrennan J

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 43w ago

I try to remember that I didn’t realize I had OCD for a very long time because misinformation is rampant. They are a victim of misinformation too, not the source of it. Most people in my experience have been very receptive to information.

Username: TJ2TJ2

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 43w ago

@Brennan J I love this perspective. And with so many of us being misdiagnosed, even providers often are operating off of misinformation! Thanks for sharing, I appreciate this.

Username: TJ2TJ2

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 43w ago

@TJ2 [edit to add: so many of us being misdiagnosed before getting the OCD diagnosis]

Username: 777Q777Q

Date posted: 43w ago

TBH , I personally wouldn’t mention OCD to anyone, I keep it personal. In the offhand chance I mentioned it in passing. The comment you mentioned is of course not accurate I would let it slide . The average person doesn’t know much about the majority of diseases and disorders. Most people only know what affects them more personally and directly.

Username: User11123User11123

Date posted: 43w ago

I totally get it - it makes me irrationally irritated when someone makes a comment like that about OCD because it feels like they are completely dismissing this incredibly painful, debilitating part of my life and comparing it to a mundane personality trait. It’s similar to someone with crippling depression being told “yeah but like everyone gets sad sometimes”. I try to take a deep breath and not react based on my emotions (because I would probably be a little too hard on them if I did, lol). I think educating them is the best way to help them learn so that the next person they meet with OCD, they will know how to respond with more compassion and understanding. It’s unfortunate, but OCD is still very misunderstood compared to some of the more “common” mental illnesses (although we all know that OCD is more common than people realize), and it’s frustrating that it often lands on us to be the educators. But hopefully the more people that are educated, the more they can help teach the people around them, and so on :)

Username: TJ2TJ2

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 42w ago

@User11123 The way you worded the frustration is pretty much exactly how that felt for me. Thanks for your reply-I will take your advice!

Username: ZeldaKorr32ZeldaKorr32

Date posted: 42w ago

i totally get how frustrating and invalidating it can feel when someone minimizes ocd to just being "a little ocd" about things. it's awesome that you stood your ground and explained that it's a clinical disorder. it shows a lot of strength and patience on your part to see it as an opportunity for psychoeducation instead of taking it personally. 🌟 by the way, have you heard about this new ai-powered ocd therapy tool called 'unstuck?' when i was in a similar spot, feeling misunderstood and looking for ways to better manage my ocd, this free ai ocd therapy tool called "unstuck" (unstuckmyOCD.com/try) that my nocd therapist recommended really made a difference for me. i think it'll be especially helpful for you because it offers personalized step-by-step support when ocd gets tough, just like an ocd therapist would. i hate when people promote stuff, but i really think it can help you because it's changed my life. lmk if you have qs or just want to talk more! <3

Username: TJ2TJ2

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 42w ago

@ZeldaKorr32 I have heard of it. Do you get paid to promote them, out of curiosity? No shade just genuinely curious if they use brand ambassadors or the like. Thanks.

Username: ZeldaKorr32ZeldaKorr32

Date posted: 42w ago

@TJ2 - hii. i personally do this out of gratitude because it's been helping mee.

Username: TJ2TJ2

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 42w ago

@ZeldaKorr32 It helps me too, thanks for sharing 🩷

Username: d a i s y

Date posted: 6y ago

What’s the most ignorant thing you’ve ever heard someone say about mental illness or OCD? Last week I was in a meeting at school with my teachers. We were discussing how bad my OCD is currently and that we need an action plan for school. I told them that, at the moment, I can’t touch pens, which is obviously an issue in a school environment. It seriously took courage to open up to a room full of practical strangers about my OCD. Do you want to know one of the teachers response? Here it is: “Oh I’m sooo OCD about the pens I use, I have like a million in my office because I change my mind all the time.” Yeah, cool. Thanks for completely invalidating my illness. d a i s y

Username: EightiesGirl

Date posted: 3y ago

How do you decide with whom/when/how much you share about your OCD? I haven't shared with one of my friends, as she has had less-than-supportive responses when I've shared other medical/mental health things with her. She recently made some comments about OCD (you know the ones - "I love to plan and organize. I'm so OCD."). When reading her texts I was seething, as those sorts of comments are so diminishing and hurtful. I know that she doesn't mean harm by these things, so part of me wants to tell her how I've been battling OCD (the real kind, not the kind that likes to color coordinate socks) for the past year. I want to explain why "I'm so OCD" makes me so freaking angry. But if I do this, I take the risk of her not supporting me in the way I would expect. I take the risk of her thinking "What's the big deal. We're all a little OCD." Is it worth it, or do I just go on and try to ignore those comments? What experiences (positive and negative) have you all had when sharing about your OCD with others?

Username: probs overth...

Date posted: 2y ago

How open are you about your OCD to friends, coworkers, bosses, professors, in-laws, etc.? As I learn more about OCD, I realize that it’s a huge part of who I am- for better or worse. Given the choice, I would choose not to have it of course. But the community and sense of identity I’ve gained since my diagnosis and meeting fellow OCD peeps is kind of special to me. I don’t know how to present myself to people. In some ways, I kind of want to tell everyone I have to interact with regularly that I have OCD as a little disclaimer. It would save a lot of explaining and awkwardness. But I also hate self disclosing and don’t like to answer a lot of questions or have to educate people on OCD when they assume I must live like Monk since I have OCD 😐 I also don’t want to be known as the weird girl who over shares or makes something their whole personality.. and if I were to be up front about my OCD, I don’t want people to think I’m one of those, “omg I’m soooo OCD! I have to make sure all my labels face out!!” type of people. When do you choose to let people know about your OCD? Is it something you keep to yourself, or is it something you “take pride in” and are up front about? Are there certain people you tell (like boss, college advisor, etc.) and others you don’t disclose that to? How much of your identity is OCD?

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How to respond to misinformation

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