Exploring the Human Realities of OCD

It’s OCD Awareness Week (Oct. 12-18, 2025)—a time to pause, learn, and talk about one of the most misunderstood and highly stigmatized mental health conditions: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Despite increasing awareness, OCD is still heavily misrepresented and misunderstood—both in popular culture and sometimes even among those who live with it. You've probably seen characters in TV shows and movies who are "a little OCD" because they like their pencils aligned or their homes sparkling clean. At best, these portrayals are incomplete. At worst, they glamorize or trivialize something that, for many, is deeply painful and debilitating.

As someone who works with OCD clients regularly in therapy, I want to offer a closer look into the human realities of this disorder—the parts you may not see, and the struggles you might never have thought of.

Obsessions and Compulsions: It’s Not What You Think

First, it’s helpful to understand what OCD actually is. The disorder is characterized by obsessions (intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges) and compulsions (behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to the obsessions, often to reduce distress or prevent a feared event).

And no, it’s not just about being tidy.

You might think, “I wish I had OCD. My house would be spotless!” But that’s not how it works. OCD isn’t a personality quirk or a preference for order—it’s a mental health condition that can be utterly exhausting.

In fact, a person with OCD might organize their desk 20 times in a row—not because it’s not "clean enough," but because it doesn’t feel right. That feeling—the gnawing sense of discomfort, dread, or anxiety—can override logic. Even if the person knows everything looks fine, their brain won’t give them the green light to stop.

OCD Is Often Invisible

Many of the hardest aspects of OCD don’t show up in physical actions. Some people never wash their hands excessively or line up their pens. Instead, they live inside a storm of obsessive thoughts—ruminations that are often distressing, intrusive, and unwanted.

These might include fears of harming someone, doubts about their own morality or identity, or worries about contamination, illness, or making a catastrophic mistake. These thoughts are not delusions—they're recognized by the person as irrational, but that doesn’t make them any easier to endure.

In fact, it’s the awareness of the irrationality that often makes OCD even more distressing. Many individuals know their fears are unlikely, but that knowledge doesn’t help them feel better. Imagine if every time something good happened in your life, your brain immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario and demanded you prepare for it—over and over again.

When OCD Steals Joy

One of the more heartbreaking aspects of OCD is the way it can interfere with joy.

Many people with OCD describe a pattern where something positive—like a promotion, a new relationship, or praise from a colleague—triggers intrusive thoughts. They may worry that something bad must follow the good, or that enjoying the moment will somehow "jinx" it.

So rather than celebrating, they begin obsessing. What if I mess up now that expectations are higher? What if they find out I’m not really good at this? What if something bad happens because I allowed myself to be happy?

Over time, this can lead to a deep mistrust of joy itself. Imagine bracing for impact every time something good happens. That’s the emotional weight many people with OCD carry.

“Can’t You Just Stop?” — The Misconceptions

One of the most frustrating things people with OCD hear is: “Why don’t you just stop doing the rituals?”

But OCD isn’t about not knowing the fear is irrational—it’s about not feeling like it’s irrational. Think of it this way: if you’re afraid of heights, standing on a balcony might logically feel safe—but your body still reacts with panic. OCD is similar.

It’s like having two brains—your logical brain says, “This doesn’t make sense,” but your emotional brain screams, “Something’s wrong!”

So even when a person knows they’re safe, their OCD convinces them they’re not. And that fear can be powerful enough to override reason.

Is There Hope?

Absolutely. OCD is treatable, and many people experience significant improvement with the right support.

The most effective treatment is usually Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It involves gradually exposing a person to their fears while helping them resist the urge to perform compulsions. It's hard work—but it works.

Medication can also help manage symptoms, especially in combination with therapy. But most importantly, recovery takes compassion, patience, and a willingness to challenge the OCD little by little, day by day.

Final Thoughts

If you or someone you love is living with OCD, know this: you are not alone, and it’s not your fault. OCD doesn’t mean you’re “too sensitive,” “too clean,” or “too much.” It means your brain is doing something very human—trying to protect you—but in a way that’s gone off track.

Let’s continue to create space for these conversations—not just during OCD Awareness Week, but every week. The more we understand, the less alone people will feel, and the more likely they are to get the help they deserve.

If this post resonated with you or made you think differently about OCD, consider sharing it. Awareness changes lives—and so does compassion.