HEALTH - OCD is not a Quirk
“I’m so OCD.”
“I can be quite OCD at times.”
Hearing phrases like these, it is apparent that, despite a more open discussion surrounding mental health in students, there is still a widespread misunderstanding about what Obsessive Compulsive Disorder actually entails. This has not been helped by negative representations in media where OCD has been trivialised as a character trait instead of the debilitating disorder it actually is. It can have a significant impact on student wellbeing and a raised level of awareness of this could help those struggling in their daily lives, reducing the stigma that prevents people from seeking help.
The disorder is associated with obsessions, which often come to the individual in the form of unwanted intrusive thoughts. These can focus around a variety of scenarios such as contamination, losing control, causing harm to self or others, catching illness and religious fears. These are just some examples and each person will experience different obsessions. Those affected are frequently aware that these thoughts are illogical, however this does not help dispel them.
Instead, these obsessions are often associated with compulsions- physical or mental actions to counteract the negative feeling associated with intrusive thoughts performed until it “feels right”. Compulsions come in many forms specific to the individual, including avoidance of scenarios where impulsive thoughts have happened before, hand washing, reassurance seeking and mentally retracing events.
The condition can have a significant impact on student life. Those with OCD may be late for classes due to time-consuming compulsive rituals, unable to focus during lectures as attention is drawn to dispelling intrusive thoughts and practical classes can become difficult as a result of contamination fears.
The mental effort of dealing with compulsions can be tiring and affects concentration. Dismissive portrayals of OCD can do real harm as students might avoid disclosing and discussing the condition with their tutors and peers for fear of discrimination. The quirky character trait stereotype of OCD can make it more difficult for those affected to open up to others, making them believe that their struggle is not as serious as it actually is and leading to an increased sense of isolation. Reducing this stigma is essential for student wellbeing and, during the current pandemic, the importance of this is emphasised as more strain is being put on student mental health and feelings of isolation.
It is possible to manage OCD by using a variety of strategies. Medications can be prescribed to help manage the disorder, while others may find Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) useful. Using this method, those affected will often work with a therapist to expose themselves to thoughts that trigger their OCD and learn management strategies to gain more control over their response. At Queen’s University, the Student Wellbeing Service can help with information on a variety of mental illnesses, one to one consultations, emergency support and free counselling to registered students through Inspire. If you struggle with OCD or any mental health condition, it could be useful to seek help and talk to someone, even if you don’t feel it is necessary right now.
I believe there is still a long way to go to increase awareness of OCD as a condition, despite mental health beginning to be discussed more openly. Steps have been taken in the right direction, but there needs to be more conversation around the negative impact of mental health conditions. This would help erase assumptions many may have around what they actually entail. An increased emphasis on this would allow more understanding of mental illnesses such as OCD; encourage more people to seek help and feel less alone.
Jonathan Turner is a Pharmacy student at QUB and part of the School’s Mental Health and Wellbeing team.