5 Myths About OCD
Written by OCD therapist, Naomi Kaplan, LCSW
Even though Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has been officially recognized in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) since 1980, it’s still one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions out there. Many people equate OCD with being neat or organized, or casually say they’re “a little OCD” when they’re particular about something. But that’s not what OCD actually is — and using the term that way makes it harder to understand the real experience of people living with this condition.
So let’s clear up what the research and organizations like the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) tell us — because misconceptions aren’t harmless; they contribute to stigma, isolation, and, too often, a delay in people getting the help they deserve.
At its core, OCD is a neurological condition characterized by obsessions and compulsions that form a distressing, time‑consuming cycle:
Obsessions are repeated, intrusive, unwanted thoughts, urges, or mental images that trigger significant anxiety, discomfort, or fear. These aren’t the kinds of thoughts people choose to have or find interesting, they feel foreign, upsetting, and persistent.
Compulsions are behaviors or mental rituals that a person feels driven to perform in response to those obsessions. The goal isn’t comfort — it’s relief from intense anxiety or a perceived threat. And even when someone knows the behavior doesn’t make logical sense, the urge to do it can feel irresistible.
For a diagnosis of OCD, this cycle must cause significant distress, take up a substantial amount of time (often more than an hour a day), and meaningfully interfere with daily activities like work, school, relationships, or routines.
So, what are the most common myths that I hear as an OCD therapist?
Myth #1: OCD is just a type of anxiety.
Here’s the reality…
When OCD was first added to the DSM in 1980, it was placed under the umbrella of anxiety disorders. That reflected our understanding at the time — that the distress people experience in OCD often looks a lot like anxiety. But as research and clinical practice evolved, it became clear that OCD has its own distinct pattern of symptoms, mechanisms, and treatment needs. In the most recent edition, the DSM‑5 now places OCD in its own chapter: Obsessive‑Compulsive and Related Disorders. This category brings together OCD with conditions that share repetitive thoughts and behaviors, such as body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder, and body‑focused repetitive behaviors.
This shift isn’t about minimizing the role of anxiety — people with OCD often experience significant worry and distress — but about recognizing that the core experience of OCD is different from the more familiar forms of anxiety. In general anxiety, worries tend to be about real‑world concerns that connect to one’s goals and values, like fearing a job performance review or a financial problem. In OCD, the central features are intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that feel disconnected from what someone truly values or intends, and the compulsive behaviors or mental rituals that follow are aimed at reducing the discomfort these thoughts provoke.
So while anxiety may be part of the emotional experience in OCD, the cycle of obsessions and compulsions — and how these symptoms take over someone’s day — sets it apart from typical anxiety. That’s part of why researchers and clinicians moved OCD out of the general anxiety category and into its own section in the DSM‑5.
Myth #2: People with OCD want to be this way.
Here’s the reality…
OCD is not a personality trait, a quirk, or a preference—it’s a disorder that causes significant distress. People with OCD often feel dislike of their intrusive thoughts and rituals, aware that they’re irrational but unable to resist them.
It’s not that they want to engage in compulsions, it’s that their brain tells them they have to in order to feel safe or reduce discomfort. OCD “bosses around” the mind, often leaving people feeling frustrated, exhausted, and misunderstood.
Myth #3: Everyone is a little ocd
Here’s the reality…
You’ve probably heard someone say, “I’m so OCD” regarding a certain particularity of theirs—but OCD isn’t just a preference. A clinical diagnosis requires obsessions and/or compulsions that take up more than an hour of someone’s day and significantly interfere with daily life, relationships, or work.
The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) emphasizes that OCD is a neurobiological disorder — meaning it’s rooted in brain circuitry, not a failure of willpower or organization. Obsessions aren’t just “thinking a lot” about something; they are intrusive, unwanted, and often distressing thoughts or images. Compulsions aren’t just habits; they are repetitive behaviors or mental rituals that feel necessary to relieve the intense anxiety these obsessions create. Left untreated, OCD can consume hours of a person’s day, shaping routines, relationships, and even career decisions.
So, when someone casually says they’re “a little OCD,” it can minimize the real, often invisible struggles that people with clinical OCD face every day. Understanding that distinction is a first step toward compassion and better support.
Myth #4: OCD is just about being clean and organized.
Here’s the reality…
While fears about contamination or orderliness are common themes in OCD, they’re far from the only ones. OCD can take many forms, including intrusive thoughts about harm, “just right” sensations or symmetry, or taboo or distressing thoughts about religion, morality, or sexuality, among many others.
OCD isn’t about wanting things clean or perfect. It’s about the distress and fear that come from intrusive thoughts and the compulsions people feel they must engage in to find relief.
Myth #5: OCD isn’t treatable.
Here’s the reality…
OCD is actually one of the most treatable mental health conditions when approached with the right strategies. I often say OCD is one of my favorites to treat because I see so much progress and relief in my clients.
The gold-standard treatment for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP helps individuals face their fears gradually and learn that they can tolerate discomfort without performing compulsions. Over time, this process retrains the brain by teaching people to respond to obsessions and compulsions in ways that reduce their intensity and frequency.
Research shows that ERP has strong, long-lasting effects, with many individuals experiencing significant improvement in just a few months of consistent practice.
While OCD can feel overwhelming and consuming, the combination of evidence-based therapy, persistence, and support offers a path toward meaningful relief and a life less dominated by obsessions and compulsions.
why myth-busting matters
These myths, even when well-intentioned, can create misunderstanding and stigma, making it harder for people to recognize their own symptoms and seek help. Research shows that more than 80% of individuals receiving treatment for OCD do not get the gold-standard, evidence-based therapies that are most likely to help. When you factor in the many children and adults who never receive treatment at all, the number of people missing out on science-backed care is even higher.
That’s why myth-busting is so important. Challenging misconceptions helps people see OCD for what it really is — a treatable neurobiological condition — rather than a quirky personality trait. Clearing up these myths can reduce shame, encourage earlier intervention, and improve access to effective treatments, ultimately giving people a better chance to reclaim their time, energy, and daily lives.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with OCD, know that support is available and real relief is possible. Contact us today!
