This is such a great piece, thank you for writing it Kate. As a fellow OCD sufferer, I also became irritated when I hear people toss around that phrase. Recently a co-worker told me that she has OCD but that it 'doesn't affect [her] life much' and even that she 'quite like[s] it because it's useful'. What followed was a frank discussion of what OCD actually is, so that she could understand that she in fact doesn't have it. She likes things to be neat and tidy, and it has never had a debilitating affect on her.

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Sarah McManus MSc
Sarah McManus MSc

Written by Sarah McManus MSc

Sarah is a UK-based writer with an MSc in Psychology. She writes about mental health & Neurodiversity. She is also the Owner and Editor of The Blade & Beyond.

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Thanks for reading, Sarah! I've found myself in similar situations and can relate to your frustration. It's difficult when you want to help someone become more informed, but ultimately they have to want to educate themself.

When people say that, they don't understand the illness. the D is for disorder, meaning it causes distress and disorder in the sufferers life.