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Debunking the myths of OCD – Natascha M. Santos



Debunking the myths of OCD – Natascha M. Santos

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/debunking-the-myths-of-ocd-natascha-m-santos

There’s a common misconception that if you like to meticulously organize your things, keep your hands clean, or plan out your weekend to the last detail, you might be OCD. In fact, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is a serious psychiatric condition that is frequently misunderstood by society and mental health professionals alike. Natascha M. Santos debunks the myths surrounding OCD.

Lesson by Natascha M. Santos, animation by Zedem Media.

View 49 Comments

49 Comments

  1. @a.j2928 on

    This video is a good representation of what OCD is, but in my case compulsions aren't really relieving. I perform them until the intrusive thought is gone, but that takes energy out of me and causes tension and then exhaustion, not to mention the time. But if I manage to do it then I wont be thinking about that thought during the whole day and okay u can say I would be relieved.

  3. @Alexmaboi on

    I think mine started. When i saw a weird dream or i think something happened that made me think that i need to "rewind" time because i felt like if i didnt it might become real. It happened like at the age of around 8. I can resist it if im in some very important situation or something like that but usually i just cant stop repeating stuff. I feel like mine maybe isnt "fully" ocd because i think that was something i came up with(repeating stuff. I acted like i was rewinding time and stuff. I dont think of it like that now because i have grown up but i still do the same thing because ive been doing it for such a long time.) Maybe mine is something a little different.

  6. @void.babyyy on

    I've this OCD thing when I was in my 15's and 16's , usually in grade 8th to 9th ,I was so we'll organized and I read my lessons until I just cram it like computer like some mad people,you know that "good girl" type, topper of my school and blah blah…after this era, I just completely changed,become more messy and unorganized,and my mum is yelling at me always ,I hope that era comes again 😅😭 (but somehow I'm happy with who I am now🙂)

  7. @Iloveshrek_donkey31 on

    2:37 whenever some things aren’t in the middle and are in the right side or left side my Brian just feels empty on the side where there’s nothing like the umbrella is in my right side so my brain is like full and uneven and it’s just so annoying even when it comes to tying my hair it has to be in the middle

  11. @ZellsGhosty on

    Organized person: I'm so organized bc I have OCD haha
    Me at 3 am: constantly checking that my glasses are perfectly straight and centered on my desk

  14. @vienen1 on

    I've had OCD (clinically diagnosed) for 34 years. Here's what helped me besides medications: remember anxiety is addictive to the brain. The more you obsess and focus your attention on all that can go wrong, you're going to find more anxiety & worry. It'll never be completely gone, but it's not as loud if you stop yourself mid-worry & tell yourself "STOP!" & then immediately think another thought to replace it. Whether it's the anxiety 3 rule, where you look around & name 3 things you see, 3 you hear & 3 parts of your body, etc. Or something all together different. This has taken me a few decades to learn through therapy. I hope it helps anyone reading this! You're stronger than you think you are!!!! 🫂

  26. @moon-iu.3 on

    I have OCD and because of that I'm far behind than people in my own age. And yet people still don't believe when I say it affects me a lot in my day to day life.

  31. @Guitars_and_ukes on

    I have OCD and I have lots of compulsions to do with hand washing. I have been through several long periods where these compulsions get so bad that the constant soap has caused really bad eczema-type symptoms like stinging, bleeding, redness and peeling skin on my hands. One of my friends had the same problem, but even worse. If you see this, please help raise awareness about OCD.

  33. @chantalehubbelllacroix8654 on

    Also relationship OCD with subtypes of loss OCD, harm OCD and health OCD which are all covert. The compulsions are mental or seeking reassurance, which makes it way harder to understand that you have OCD not just anxiety or ADHD or autism.

  36. @xMaddyPantsx on

    When mine was really debilitating i used to say a quote from Leela from Futurama which is "I'm insane! But still sane enough to know it" Intrusive thoughts make you feel absolutely crazy but (at least I) always maintained a grasp on reality and the fact that I do not want to do the acts suggested by my intrusive thoughts. I could always tell that what I was feeling and thinking wasn't normal

  38. @mr.nobody615 on

    I'm 19 I had OCD for 3 years now. I just found out this behaviour is called OCD. I have progressed a bit for last 3 months but I still have this disorder. Hope it'll go away eventually.

  48. @manimaranveerasamy2722 on

    Now only i got to know i had ocd…my god in my childhood times my mind would say switch on and off the light 15 times then i will walk half a way and my mind would say go again to the same where i started everyone would laugh at me for my behaviour i do touch things many times and would cross the tiles like 100 times bcoz my mind was like if u dont do it something bad will happen ..back then i was so confused i thought only i am suffering from this and later on i dont know how i moved on still i have few habits that i couldnt come out😢

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