Content warning: Intrusive thoughts, mention of HIV / AIDS, Sexual assault, death.

I have often heard people say “I’m a little OCD” as in they like to keep things tidy, and that it bothers them if items aren’t where they’re supposed to be. It’s one of those microaggressions people don’t realise is harmful.

It seriously downplays OCD experiences:

Do people who are a ‘little OCD’ think about their whole family dying of complications of AIDS based on their daily actions?

Do they think about sexual assault a hundred times a day?

Do they check their windows, doors, cooker and other appliances several times before they leave the house or go to bed? If that routine is stopped in any way they have to do it again. Properly. Again and again. For hours.

Are they trapped in their own house because they’re scared of what might happen to them if they go out there? About what they might do if they go outside?

Not to mention how this effects how you see yourself and others. Can I trust myself? Do my thoughts reflect who I am? Am I a safe person to be around?

Not every experience of OCD is this bad and some are much, much worse. When people say they’re a ‘little OCD’ it shows an amazing amount of ignorance around a condition that can destroy lives. Stop people from being who they’re supposed to be. Keep people locked in fear.

Exclamations of “little OCD” belittles experiences of OCD. It stops people like me from getting the help we need. It makes medical professionals dismiss these issues, push medications our way, and put us on another waiting list for gaslighting therapies.