Everyone has different pet peeves that make them cringe every time they hear/see whatever it may be. As for me, my pet peeve is when someone uses the phrase, “I’m so OCD," in a way that does not actually apply to the mental illness and rather as a personality trait. I want to spread awareness as to why this phrase should not be used so lightly in casual conversations.

The three-word phrase, “I’m so OCD” is like nails on a chalkboard to me. This phrase is overused and more often than not, misused. According to Psychology Today, “OCD is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something (compulsions).”

I stand against this phrase because I have watched a love one struggle with this, having to fight the demons in their head every day. That is what is so debilitating about OCD you have to suffer while these intrusive thoughts run through your head, and then silently try to perform your rituals without directing attention to yourself.

“I’m just so OCD like that!” In this sentence, OCD is being used as an adjective and belittled as a whole, due to the complexity of this disorder it should not be used so lightly in a sentence. Those who have OCD would most likely want to hide the fact they are suffering and rather wouldn’t be one to openly admit they are diagnosed with it. Also, if you do not have OCD, it is not something you should classify yourself as having because those who do have OCD, wish they could have the simplicity of the way other’s brains work.

I’ve watched OCD cripple the life of a relative, washing their hands multiple times until blood is shed, not eating in fear of poison, fear of harming the ones you love, counting and avoiding stopping on numbers they don’t like, fearing driving in case they hit someone, repetitively checking the oven, and doors. All things that may seem irrational to a bystander, but these compulsions are performed in order to help them find a sense of relief from an intrusive thought, if only for a moment.

“You’re so OCD” because you like things clean, but to what extent? Does it keep you awake at night, are you perfecting things until they are set just they way you need them or you can’t leave the house, do you count 20+ pumps of soap because that’s how many it takes you to feel satisfied and clean? Do you return back to the sink just to scald your hands and drown them in soap once again because you can’t get the thought of germs/contamination out of your head? This is not a personality quirk it’s a serious mental disorder that affects individuals.

I have first handedly watched OCD take the smile away from someone I truly care about I’ve watched it take away their motivation, their personality, their sense of humor, and their positive outlook on life. I am not a psychologist and I will not pretend like I have the knowledge in order to judge whether you really do have OCD or not. However all I am asking for is just some sensitivity towards the phrase and the disorder itself. There are many other adjectives out there in order to describe your personality, so being OCD should be removed from your list.