The 2016 Singapore Mental Health Study (SMHS) ranked Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as one of the top three most prevalent mental health disorders in Singapore. The study revealed that one in 28 adults in the country has experienced OCD at some point in their lives. Despite its prevalence, however, the study also highlighted a significant treatment gap: on average, individuals wait 11 years before seeking professional help. This delay could be due to the stigma surrounding mental health care and a lack of awareness about the disorder. In this article, we aim to clarify common myths surrounding OCD by distinguishing between misconceptions and the realities of this condition.
Myth 1: OCD is just about being neat or clean
Reality: A widespread stereotype is that OCD only involves an obsession with cleanliness and organization. While some individuals with OCD may engage in cleaning rituals due to fears of contamination, the disorder is much more complex. OCD consists of persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) that individuals perform to alleviate the anxiety caused by these thoughts. These intrusive thoughts can vary greatly—from fears of harming others or being blasphemous to doubts about whether certain tasks were completed. Compulsive behaviours, such as repeatedly checking for harm, praying, or mentally reviewing tasks, are attempts to reduce the anxiety caused by these obsessions.
Myth 2: OCD always manifests the same way
Reality: OCD is highly individualized and often evolves over time, adapting to what is significant in an individual’s life at that moment. For example, an adolescent may initially experience OCD through repetitive prayers to protect family members, which could later shift to obsessive cleaning once they become parents, driven by fears of harm befalling their child. In therapy, it’s crucial to identify the underlying fears at play, allowing individuals to recognize when OCD has changed and helping them better manage potential relapses in the future.
Myth 3: Everyone is a little bit OCD
Reality: Many people mistakenly equate OCD with harmless quirks, like being overly perfectionistic. However, OCD is a serious mental health disorder that can severely disrupt daily life, relationships, and work. Individuals with OCD are often distressed by their intrusive thoughts, and their compulsions provide only temporary relief. These compulsions can also create additional distress, impacting daily activities, such as skin damage from excessive cleaning or being late due to constant checking.
Myth 4: People with OCD can just "snap out of it" because they know it’s irrational
Reality: While individuals with OCD often recognize that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, the anxiety they generate can be overwhelming, making it difficult to stop engaging in these behaviours. OCD is a neurobiological disorder, often linked to abnormalities in brain structure and function, as well as genetic factors. Professional treatment—such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), or medication—is essential for managing the disorder. People with OCD cannot simply “snap out of it” or will their symptoms away.
Myth 5: Providing reassurance is helpful to someone with OCD
Reality: While reassurance-seeking is a common human tendency, for those with OCD, it becomes a compulsive behaviour. Though reassurance may provide short-term relief, it only temporarily alleviates the doubts or insecurities associated with obsessive thoughts. Over time, this behaviour becomes a cycle, and the obsessions resurface, prompting the individual to seek reassurance again, reinforcing the cycle.
Myth 6: OCD only affects adults
Reality: OCD can affect people of any age, with many individuals recalling their first symptoms between the ages of 8 and 12. Children may hide their struggles due to fear of being judged for the content of their intrusive thoughts. Additionally, there is a subtype of OCD in children known as Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS) and Paediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), which can develop suddenly and dramatically following a strep infection. In these cases, autoimmune antibodies attack an area of the brain, leading to sudden onset OCD symptoms.
Understanding the realities of OCD—its impact on daily life and the necessity of treatment—can help reduce stigma and foster a more supportive environment for those affected. If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, seeking professional help is an important step toward effective management and recovery.
Siew Choo Ting
Principal Psychologist
Principal Psychologist
