As the title of this blog indicates there are plenty of stereotypes out there of OCD. The one that I hear the most is that "We;re all a bit OCD"> The truth is that true OCD can be extremely painful. I have heard the same stereotypes about autism. Most of them are coming from well meaning folks that don't know any better and are trying to be understanding.
I was doing some research and I realize that I deal with a form called "Responsibility OCD". With responsibility OCD the person might fear that legal action would be taken against them or that they have inadvertantly hurt someone else. Over two years I have dealt with the pain and it's very hard when you start having the compulsions to go online and start reading up on things that are becoming such a fear that they are driving an obsession.
I have often said that what I am going through drives me into the arms of God and this is so true. When I read God's word and passages like Romans 8 I realize that God is in charge no matter what the circumstances. But that does not stop some of the pain that I deal with. At the same time I realize that I need to fall into the arms of the one that says "Do Not Worry" and "Cast all your cares on me".
With OCD compulsions can last for hours on end. Sometimes compulsions will last an entire busride down to my job as a computer techie working in refurbishment in the morning. Yet I know that I am not alone. That not only do I have Jesus with me but there are others out there as well that struggle and they deal with the same times of compulsions.
I want to recommend a couple of really good books. There is one called Grace for the Afflicted by Matthew Stanford that deals with OCD and mental illness from a biblical perspective. The other book that I am going to be reading is Troubled Minds by Amy Simpson. Both of these deal with some common stereotypes.
Many people when they think of OCD they think of Monk and yes some of what Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) deals with is very common with some OCD types. But there are also the responsibility, scrupulosity, skin-picking and hair twirling that all are also a part of OCD and I have dealt with all of these.
At one point I was on medication for OCD and my doctor and I decided to try no meds. I have entertained the idea of going back on should things get bad again. And there is nothing wrong with people in the church taking meds to deal with conditions . There are some out there that are misinformed about this but God uses meds to help people in all kinds of different situations.
Perhaps the best thing that someone can do when a person with OCD or mental illness is having an episode is not to overreact. Some people don't understand and because of this they do just this thing. Two Ears and one mouth is the best thing. I was going through a paranoia episode in 2021 and thankfully my mom hung with me and was willing to listen. Same with my Pastor. Listening is everything. Because it tells someone that you are making an effort to try and understand their situation and be there instead of jumping to judgement.
We live in a sue-happy society and there are going to be times where it does happen. But for someone with responsibility OCD there is that constant fear that any person could file suit. Being a friend and support is the best that someone can do. Don't try to jump out and make an assumption..I am taking classes and going through an apprenticeship for peer mentor certification and this is one of the things that teach with the people you serve. Never jump to conclusions or use condescending language.
God bless all of you.
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