I have seen and heard the term #OCD being misused too many times, and as an OCD sufferer it has always been devastating for me to hear, but I have never felt safe or able to correct the perpetrator.

However, with the #lockdown and the guidelines on hand washing we are all being subjected to, I am noticing the perpetuation of the misuse of this term more and more, so I would like to write a thread addressing some of the problems surrounding this. I hope is of use to some

Simply put, this is an example of the appropriation of mental health terminology, and it has a detrimental effect on the collective perception on mental illness in our society and the stigma that comes with it.

When you say “I’m so OCD” when referring to your cleaning and organisational preferences, you are using the term inappropriately and most likely from a place of ignorance. You minimise the seriousness of a debilitating condition.

Therefore, when someone decides to disclose their struggles and experiences with OCD, if the person they are reaching out to has no experience or prior knowledge, their courageous attempt to reach out for support might very well be met with misunderstanding...

...and their experience might not be given the respect it deserves, making them feel invalidated and lonely.
There is a gross inequality in the collective knowledge and perception of mental illness in our society compared to that of physical illnesses.

If you have a broken leg and you share that information with someone that never has had a broken leg and is not medically trained, you can guarantee that they will still understand exactly what that means.

Whilst they may not know how it feel to have a broken leg, there is no misunderstanding about what you are going through. There is no stigma here, allowing them the confidence to disclose there condition, knowing that it will be met with sympathy and empathy.

Stigma around mental health acts as a resistance against people opening up about their conditions/ struggles. We need to improve upon our mental health knowledge in our society for this reason, so there is more opportunity for understanding, empathy, respect and validation...

...to all mental health sufferers. This is how we fight against the stigma; with knowledge and education.

Mental health, like physical health, is a privilege and it shouldn't be taken for granted. Sadly I see that it is taken for granted by far too many, and with such an attitude, how can we expect a change any time soon?

I have been speaking about OCD mainly as this is a condition I suffer with. I didnt truly understand or recognise what my condition was until I was an adult and had lived with the physic pain as a child/young adult.

This is the product of a gross lack of education on mental health, at least in my own country, and I know I am not the only to have experienced similarly. I lived with this pain discreetly and shamefully for too long, afraid to be open about it, with others or even myself.

There are many different mental illnesses and they all subjected to similar ignorance and mockery. My condition has allowed me the privilege to learn more about these issues and educate myself.

If I didn't suffer from a mental illness, I would hope I would still have the same awareness of these issues and would educate myself as to understand more. If not, I would hope someone would have helped guide me in the right direction.

To everyone struggling with their own mental health right now, in whatever capacity that may be, I hope you have the support around you that you need.
#mentalhealth #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters

After this thread, I thought I should add this:
There are many sources that can provide help/support or information to anyone willing to look. Here are a few I have found useful:
@IOCDF (International OCD Foundation)
@OCDUK
@TimetoChange
@mentalhealth
@Rethink_