A Mentally Ill Society

I seem to be noticing more and more people falling back on mental illnesses nowadays. More people saying “I’m too stressed” and more people saying “I’m a bit OCD”. And the sad thing is, people believe them and they get the sympathy and attention they want, but don’t deserve.

No one can be ‘a bit OCD’. You either are OCD or not. ‘a bit OCD’ means you are normal and like cleanliness. OCD is a neurosis. A disorder. You can’t turn it on and off. It is always there, always in your head and you can’t make it go away. You can’t stop the compulsions. You can’t stop the obsessions, so while people who say they are ‘a bit OCD’ can turn it off and get on with their lives, people with genuine OCD can’t. They have to live with it. Deal with it every day.

If anyone who says they are ‘a bit OCD’ actually knew what it felt like for someone with true OCD, they would never liken themselves to it. I mean, you don’t hear people saying “I’m a bit bipolar” or “I’m a bit schizophrenic”. They know full well that if they did they’d be committed. OCD has become the popular illness for people to use as an excuse in the last few years. They think it’s an easy way out and a bit of fun. Well, let them try having their brain going constantly. Their thoughts closing in on them. Panic and paranoia. Worry and fear.

I certainly don’t think it’s an easy excuse. People who think it is and who use it as one should take a long, hard look at themselves and ask why they feel the need to make out that they have a mental illness to get ahead!