OCD "Season?"

[00:00:00] As a mental health condition listed in the DSM-5, OCD is no joke. Yet, particularly during this time of year, many non-sufferers treat it that way. Today we bust another stereotypical myth. Stay tuned for more.

[00:00:20] Hello and welcome to MoMo634, the daily podcast chock full of faith-filled inspiration and motivation. Please like, share, and subscribe.

[00:00:33] MoMo634, Motivational Moments, just for today.

[00:00:51] It's OCD Awareness Week and today we're tackling a persistent social media theme.

[00:00:58] As people begin to think about the holidays, one meme I see a lot is OCD, Obsessive Christmas Decorating.

[00:01:08] And there are other words people use with that acronym, OCD, memes such as,

[00:01:14] CDO, I'm so OCD I had to put the letters in order.

[00:01:18] Or someone will post a picture of a crooked door or picture frame and say,

[00:01:23] Show this to your OCD friends.

[00:01:26] All like it's a funny joke.

[00:01:28] And if you say anything, then it's, oh, lighten up.

[00:01:33] As discussed yesterday, the obsessive thoughts OCD is characterized by are dark.

[00:01:40] Very, very dark.

[00:01:43] I'm going to discuss this in some detail, so consider this a trigger warning for those who may need one.

[00:01:49] There is a constant fear one is dying.

[00:01:53] As a Christian, of course, I look forward to the day when I transcend this body with its broken brain.

[00:02:00] But the reality is that while in this mortal coil, I live with an amygdala that has a broken fight or flight switch.

[00:02:10] It manifests itself as constant worry.

[00:02:14] With the contamination fears inherent in OCD, that worry switch in the constant on position tells you how sick you're going to get.

[00:02:26] Ask any person with OCD how they fared during COVID.

[00:02:31] The idea here is that these irrational fears are unceasing and seem completely rational and real,

[00:02:42] because the part of the brain regulating this response does not work as it ought.

[00:02:48] I am not a hugger nor a handshaker.

[00:02:51] I carry a number of types of hand sanitizer, what our family calls hand sanitizer.

[00:02:57] I understand Adrian Monk's tortured mind, so I don't envy that.

[00:03:03] But I sure envied having an assistant at the ready with an antibacterial wipe.

[00:03:09] But going back to COVID, many of us could not and cannot overcome the mental gymnastics with germophobia.

[00:03:17] During this season, please remember that OCD, as with any mental health condition, isn't a joke for the many who suffer with it.

[00:03:29] Resist the temptation to post memes about a mental health condition, but rather be an ally to end the stigma.

[00:03:37] I'm deviating from our normal format this week to address myths and misconceptions about OCD.

[00:03:45] To that end, this is an AMA, ask me anything, week.

[00:03:51] I'll do my best to answer from experience or point you to a vetted source.

[00:03:56] In honor of World Mental Health Day last week and OCD awareness this week, all premium plans are 25% off for the life of the subscription.

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[00:04:31] Thanks for listening to MOMO 634, motivational moments just for today.

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