The amount of times I hear people say this is out of control. OCD is often a misunderstood diagnosis and actually is an extremely debilitating disorder that can ruin someone’s life. It’s not something that is funny trait or a quirk about someone. I have heard so many people refer to OCD as them meaning they like to clean or organize. I know it is not intentional, but that is not what OCD is at all. I mean, I was afraid to be alone with my daughter for months and was terrified of being a murderer so much that I required a “babysitter” for myself at all times. My obsessions and compulsions did not bring me any kind of joy or relief, only more uncertainty and doubt.

The reason I wanted to write this today is because I heard something out of control about OCD this morning. I was watching The Kardashians show on Hulu, and Kris Jenner said she was OCD because she liked when people would come into her house when she invited them not to wait outside. I don’t know why, but that one just really got me. I wish that was what OCD was. OCD tends to be thrown around when someone likes things a certain way, and yes that can be a symptom of OCD. It was not was Kris Jenner was saying. I know that it was not meant to be offensive, but truly that is not what OCD is.

Another example happened when I was at the PSI training a couple of months ago. I spoke on the Survivor Panel during one of the lunches. I shared everything I went through when I had postpartum OCD including my fears of being a murderer. After my speech, I went to get coffee. Someone came up to me and said “this is my OCD thing.” She had put cream in her cup before she got her coffee. I am pretty sure I stood there with my mouth open. I know that it was not meant to offend me at all, but I could not believe that is what was said about OCD.

This kind of thing is why I work so hard to raise awareness about postpartum OCD/OCD. Truly, it can ruin someone’s life. OCD is not a funny quirk about someone. It does not mean you like to clean or organize. OCD presents itself in many ways, and it never brings someone happiness. It only brings anxiety and pain. No one wants to engage in their compulsions or obsess about something so terrifying that they cannot sleep for months. I wish the world would take the time to learn about OCD because I do not want to hear “I am sooo OCD” anymore.