What’s the difference between being “neat/tidy” or a “germaphobe” and having OCD?

OCD can appear in different ways; indeed, two people can both have clear cases of the disorder but show totally different symptoms.

Most manifestations of OCD are really exaggerations of what would, in moderation, be normal and even helpful patterns of behavior. For example, a concern with germs and dirt, and a pattern of keeping this clean, is clearly a good thing in many contexts, such as the hospital, and was still more important in past centuries before the development of effective sewer systems and of antibiotics. It is only when such concerns get out of control and start to interfere with normal life that they are indicative of a disorder.

The official guideline for diagnosis is that the distressing thoughts and behaviors must occupy at least one hour a day and must cause significant problems with social or work functioning. The key is that it is only meaningful to call a pattern of behavior a ‘disorder’ if it leads to some significant degree of distress or problems with other aspects of life, such as relationships or work. If an individual just likes things neat and is comfortable with that, then that is best understood as a part of their personality, and not as OCD.

The term “OCD” has become a part of the common language to describe people with patterns of behavior such as in these examples. You’ve probably heard this before: “I’m so OCD about _________.” From a psychiatrist’s or psychologist’s perspective, this is a misuse of the term. Liking things a certain way is not necessarily OCD, even in cases where it causes friction with others, if it does not cause repetitive behaviors and a significant amount of anxiety or distress.

Learn more about OCD by listening to an interview on OCD with Clinic Director Dr Emily O’Leary on Tuesday 18^th March on ABC Radio.