I’ve heard the phrase “that’s so OCD of me” in various contexts, but I honestly can’t say when I was first introduced to it. Just recently, I heard an office employee describe themself as being “a little OCD” about achieving straight lines on a paper cutter. This anecdote is not a criticism towards that particular individual; the employee mentioned is far from the only offender. I’ve also heard the phrase widely used to describe people’s desire for household order, cleanliness, or perfectly aligning items. 

Only with age and experience have I begun to understand that phrases like this one are incredibly misleading. Feeling inspired by my epiphany around “I’m so OCD,” I began considering how similar colloquialisms can undermine a wide range of mental health diagnoses. I was able to quickly list several expressions I’ve heard often in casual conversation:

• “I have PTSD from [insert minor inconvenience]”
• “This weather is bipolar” or similar phrases 
• “I hate sitting through class… I’m so ADHD.” 
• And of course, “I’m so OCD…”

To the reader who has used one of these phrases or something similar, this is not meant to make you feel a sense of embarrassment. In fact, I’ve even been guilty of saying things like this myself without understanding the harm. Instead, I call you to reconsider: is it necessary to describe our feelings in such a way? And are we really grasping what phrases like this might imply?

In order to better understand, let’s explore the potential consequences of such expressions. Words are powerful; we can both build and destroy through language. It is necessary to examine how these phrases misrepresent people experiencing mental illness to grasp their gravity. 

Taking OCD as an example, it should first be defined as what it actually is: a complex mental disorder that can latch onto any area of a person’s life. Sometimes called “the doubting disorder,” symptoms might include intense fear around physical illness, moral standing, relationships, or one’s own sanity… essentially anything. It also involves experiencing terrifying intrusive thoughts that attack a person’s core beliefs, and a need to perform compulsive behaviors for temporary relief. OCD has actually been called one of ten most debilitating disorders by the World Health Organization. Yet despite all of this, it is often portrayed in popular media as a personality quirk with fears around contamination or cleanliness. 

Reducing a disorder like this one to a phrase creates a harmful illusion of what it actually entails. To the undiagnosed person, hearing such a description of OCD might mislead them on what their symptoms actually point toward. And to the person without the disorder, it creates a false sense of understanding towards the diagnosed. So let’s ask ourselves again: does saying “I’m so OCD” accurately describe feeling a desire to be orderly? 

Although the above example centers around OCD, the core problem with related phrases is the same. Their use creates significant misunderstanding around a variety of common mental health conditions, making it more difficult for those suffering to understand their symptoms, be understood by others, and even potentially find their correct diagnosis. Lack of access to proper support, treatment, and understanding for one’s condition is a huge contributor to deaths caused by suicide. In a world where suicide is becoming a leading cause of death in the United States, we should be doing everything in our power to reduce the stigma. Even if our first step is simply to stop using phrases like those above, that is an incredible place to start. 

Educational resources: 

PTSD: education, publications, and online resources

Bipolar disorder: educational description, treatment options, and additional resources 

NOCD: an organization that connects people living with OCD to specialized therapists and provides education 

Nationwide Crisis Hotline (call or text): 988