"I'm a Little OCD," and Other Myths

[00:00:00] One thing you never want to say to someone suffering with OCD is, I'm a little OCD myself.

[00:00:07] Tune in to find out why.

[00:00:13] Hello and welcome to MoMo 634, the daily podcast chock full of faith-filled inspiration and

[00:00:21] motivation.

[00:00:22] Please like, share, and subscribe.

[00:00:25] MoMo 634, Motivational Moments just for today.

[00:00:45] It's OCD Awareness Week, and who you gonna call?

[00:00:49] Mythbusters!

[00:00:51] Buckle up for a week of breaking down myths and the stigma around a topic many claim to

[00:00:56] understand, but in reality is far more complex.

[00:01:01] I'm going to get very real about what OCD is, so consider this a trigger warning, if

[00:01:07] so predisposed.

[00:01:08] A few weeks ago, I mentioned two common OCD myths converged over one weekend and had me

[00:01:17] all amped up, ready to sling facts in a burst of social media self-righteousness.

[00:01:23] Of course, that was the wrong approach and the antithesis of calm, which for premium subscribers

[00:01:30] who get the bonus weekend episode, you know I've just discussed.

[00:01:35] I seethed inside a lot, but didn't give in to the temptation to post a bazillion factoids,

[00:01:42] though this week gives me some license.

[00:01:45] Instead, I just mulled over why it bothered me so much.

[00:01:50] Part of it has to do with the fact that OCD is so misunderstood.

[00:01:57] People look at a fictional character like Adrian Monk and assume that we're a caricature on steroids.

[00:02:04] In fact, depending on your source, there are anywhere from 5 to 16 subtypes of OCD.

[00:02:11] Many are hidden and have nothing to do with the cleaning stereotype most often associated with OCD.

[00:02:19] OCD has to do with torturous, unending, obtrusive, unwanted thoughts that are the soundtrack to the need

[00:02:27] to perform rituals that sufferers think will relieve the thoughts.

[00:02:33] One subtype is pure O, which are the thoughts but without the accompanying rituals,

[00:02:40] like counting or touching an object until it feels just right,

[00:02:45] as you see Monk do in the opening credits with the parking meters.

[00:02:49] So when people say I'm a little OCD, there is no such thing.

[00:02:56] It's like kinda dead or sorta pregnant.

[00:03:00] If you saw the meme I posted on social media yesterday to kick off OCD Awareness Week,

[00:03:07] I suggested more accurate language, such as,

[00:03:10] I prefer order, or I like things to be clean and neat.

[00:03:15] I wish I had a dial that allowed me to regulate the amount of OCD.

[00:03:22] The thoughts really are debilitating, and by definition,

[00:03:26] they and the rituals cause significant impact to your day.

[00:03:32] I might need to check the front door several times to be sure I've locked it.

[00:03:37] Getting out of bed after finding a comfy position just to make certain.

[00:03:43] This is called reassurance checking, and I discussed it in the episode, Are We There Yet?

[00:03:49] Another is listening to a song, reading a sentence, or something like washing your hands,

[00:03:55] over and over and over until the amount of times feels just right.

[00:04:03] That's not a little anything.

[00:04:06] That's a fight-or-flight switch in the amygdala that is broken.

[00:04:10] It keeps the sufferer in a perpetual state of anxiety.

[00:04:16] For some, the wiring lies to them and tells them that if they don't wash their hands X times,

[00:04:23] the kid down the block will die.

[00:04:27] These are very dark, scary, disturbing thoughts,

[00:04:32] and they play 24-7, 365 at the OCD theater in the minds of sufferers everywhere.

[00:04:43] Again, this is dependent upon the subtype of OCD.

[00:04:47] So the next time you are tempted to say,

[00:04:50] I'm a little OCD, when you mean,

[00:04:52] I really like things to be clean and in the right place,

[00:04:57] please say that instead.

[00:05:00] I'm forgoing a lot of the usual Momo episodic formula,

[00:05:04] including the daily meme this week,

[00:05:07] so that I can bring you factoids to help educate,

[00:05:10] like the one today showing the typical brain via SPECT scan,

[00:05:14] and one of a diagnosed OCD sufferer.

[00:05:19] Though there aren't any Bible verses specific to OCD,

[00:05:23] you can understand why so many sufferers are people of faith and prayer,

[00:05:29] and truly some of the mentally strongest people

[00:05:32] to be able to withstand such a debilitating condition.

[00:05:38] This week is an AMA week, ask me anything.

[00:05:42] I'll do my best to answer from experience or point you to a vetted source.

[00:05:49] In honor of World Mental Health Day last week and OCD awareness this week,

[00:05:55] all premium plans are 25% off for the life of the subscription.

[00:06:01] For less than one shishi coffee,

[00:06:04] you can get a whole month of faith-based motivation and encouragement.

[00:06:08] And, Substack offers a free 7-day trial,

[00:06:12] so try before you buy at momo634.substack.com forward slash subscribe.

[00:06:23] Thanks for listening to Momo 634,

[00:06:26] motivational moments just for today.

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