Common Myths About The Mentally Disordered

• They're all killers
• They're all rapists
• They're rapists and killers
• They're paedophiles
• They are murderers
• It's contagious
• They were abused as a child
• They're dangerous
• Schizophrenics are killers
• Depressives are having a bad day
• Anorexics are looking for attention
• Self-harm is a trend
• Those with OCD all wash their hands too much
• Suicide is the coward's way out

The truth is: 'Depression isn't an act. Self harm isn't a trend. Anorexia isn't a phase. Homosexuality isn't a choice and suicide isn't cowardly.'

Just 'OCD'

With BBC Three's 'It's A Mad World' season being on lately, I have come across a lot of prejudice against OCD.
People use it the context of it being a mild psychiatric disorder, when in fact it can completely ruin people's lives.
OCD controls my life. I do not currently control my OCD.
OCD can be as bad as schizophrenia or other severe mental disorders, just because someone has OCD, does not mean they are OK.
OCD is not something EVERYONE has or something that people can just 'grow out of'. Yes they can get better: but it takes time and effort.
The stigma surrounding OCD is terrible.
Not everyone with OCD is overly hygienic (not that they're unhygienic) nor do they all hoard things. There are many types of OCD. My OCD is more in my mind that some types of OCD. For example: I 'go over' objects with my mind, like a checklist rather than touching certain things or washing my hands hundreds of times a day.
STOP THE STIGMA surrounding OCD.


If you or anyone you know is affected by OCD please visit your GP or go to http://www.ocduk.org/ for more information.

Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a serious anxiety-related condition where a person experiences frequent intrusive and unwelcome obsessional thoughts, often followed by repetitive compulsions, impulses or urges.

The illness affects as many as 12 in every 1000 people (1.2% of the population) from young children to adults, regardless of gender or social or cultural background. In fact, it can be so debilitating and disabling that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has actually ranked OCD in the top ten of the most disabling illnesses of any kind, in terms of lost earnings and diminished quality of life.

Based on current estimates for the UK population, there are potentially around 741,504 people living with OCD at any one time.   But it is worth noting that a disproportionately high number, 50% of all these cases, will fall into the severe category, with less than a quarter being classed as mild cases.

OCD presents itself in many guises, and certainly goes far beyond the common perception that OCD is merely hand washing or checking light switches. In general, OCD sufferers experience obsessions which take the form of persistent and uncontrollable thoughts, images, impulses, worries, fears or doubts. They are often intrusive, unwanted, disturbing, significantly interfere with the ability to function on a day-to-day basis as they are incredibly difficult to ignore. People with OCD often realise that their obsessional thoughts are irrational, but they believe the only way to relieve the anxiety caused by them is to perform compulsive behaviours, often to prevent perceived harm happening to themselves or, more often than not, to a loved one.


REMEMBER: YOU CONTROL YOUR ILLNESS, YOUR ILLNESS DOES NOT CONTROL YOU.

Stop The Stigma Around Mental Health Issues

I hear the words "mental" and "psycho" and "schizo" being thrown around carelessly. 
What if you were one of those people who suffered with psychosis or schizophrenia?
The stigma around mental health illnesses has got to stop.
If someone has a broken leg or a black eye, people can see they are ill, but if you are mentally ill - no-one can tell. But those with psychological illnesses are still ill, they still need love and care and support.
In some ways illness of the mind can be worse than physical illness. It's harder to explain, it doesn't show and it is seen as 'strange'. Even in 2013 I still come across people who are prejudice against those with mental illnesses.
People with mental illness are not crazy, nor are they violent or hateful. They are not all suffering with the same condition. Not all depressives are suicidal, not all schizophrenics are violent, not all people with OCD are obsessive about hygiene.
So stop with the stigma. Think about it more. Research it. Support it. Mental health illnesses are not something to be ashamed of. Wipe-out stigma. Please. Start today.