They're questions everyone asks themselves at one point or another. But if you have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), concerns like these can be stressful and time-consuming. And I would know -- I have OCD.

I knew there was something a little quirky about my thought process by age 10 or 11, and by 15 I knew what OCD was and was certain I suffered from it. But it wasn't until I was in my early 20s that I sought professional diagnosis and treatment.

I then found that as terrible as having the thoughts and behaviours associated with OCD is, the stigma attached to the disorder can be worse.

Frequently labelled as hypochondriacs, those with OCD may have difficulty getting doctors to take them seriously when it comes to other issues. OCD was a blight on my medical record for years, despite the fact my OCD doesn't manifest itself into health concerns.

Truthfully, I'm the exact opposite of a hypochondriac, avoiding doctors at all costs, even when needing one.

The disorder can have some common obsessions, like the fear that forgetting to do something that could lead to harm, or the fear of contamination.

And those obsessions can result in some similar compulsive activities, such as cleaning, checking, keeping, checking, arranging, checking, counting -- did I mention checking?

People should be aware individuals experience OCD in different degrees and in many different ways and that just because someone has irrational concerns, they aren't necessarily an irrational individual.

It's unfortunate that OCD sufferers are often stereotyped as being delusional, cat-collecting and unproductive, or seen as humorously crazy.

Some individuals still associate OCD with a lack of willpower, an analysis which is devastating for someone struggling to control anxiety while already feeling isolated.

I've long been aware of how people with OCD (or any mental disorder) are perceived, and those negative connotations prevented me seeking help until I had reached a dangerous breaking point. But I'm not alone.

Experts say the disorder is under-diagnosed and according to organizations like the Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba, many with anxiety disorders like OCD resort to self-medication through drugs and alcohol.

Anxiety disorders are often accompanied by depression and a high risk of suicide, but they are also the most treatable of all mental illnesses, which makes it even more important that people feel comfortable speaking about them and getting help. It's not easy to deal with OCD, but keeping it a secret creates a second burden.

Source: Sun Media

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