Living with OCD — How it affects each of us (Forever 39 Podcast)
We've all got something we're "a little OCD" about, but throwing around that term is probably undermining just how serious obsessive compulsive disorder is for those truly affected by it.
One percent of U.S adults suffer from OCD, with 50 percent of those cases being severe, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The majority of people will start to show signs of OCD as teenagers.
So what exactly is OCD?
According to the International OCD Foundation, OCD is a mental health disorder in which people get into a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. What's important for those that don't suffer from OCD to realize is that these obsessions are unwanted, and they come in the form of repeated images, thoughts, urges, or sensations. In an effort to rid themselves of these obsessions, people suffering from OCD will resort to ritualistic compulsions.
And while many people will declare they're OCD about keeping their house or car clean, or making sure each picture frame is arranged just right, that's not typical OCD behavior, and it certainly doesn't mean you have the disorder. In fact, information posted by the foundation states that a diagnosis of OCD is made when a person gets to the point where the obsessions and compulsions are so strong that they interfere with that person's daily activities.
So while we don't want to undermine the seriousness of OCD, we do discuss in this episode the behaviors that we think some might say are a bit obsessive and compulsive.
If you want more information on OCD, including how to get help, check out the information page posted by the NIMH.
That's just one topic we hit in this week's edition of Forever 39. Listen to the full episode below:
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— Annette and Megan, Forever 39
Join us for next week’s podcast when we chat about the staggering amount of time employees are wasting at work, and what to do if you have difficult in-laws. We're also going to chat to the editorial director of New Jersey Family about New Jersey's ultimate bucket list for families.