Step 2 - Breaking Away From Labels

Breaking Free from Labels and Stigma: Step 2 in Treating OCD

In our series on how to treat OCD and obsessive thoughts, this is the second step, which is crucial for anyone seeking help for OCD.

Understanding Labels on a Micro Level

When addressing OCD, it's common for people to get overwhelmed by the myriad subtypes of this condition. Many individuals mistakenly think they need to identify and treat their particular subtype. These subtypes can include:

• Pure OCD

• Relationship OCD

• Gay OCD

• Hit and Run OCD

• Contamination OCD

• Scrupulosity or Religious OCD

However, it's essential to understand that all types of OCD are fundamentally the same. They manifest through a cycle of uncertainty and doubt that triggers an anxiety spike. In response, individuals engage in compulsive behaviors to alleviate this anxiety.

Uniform Treatment Strategies

Treating OCD, regardless of its subtype, involves identifying and confronting the anxiety-triggering thoughts and refraining from compulsive behaviors. Techniques such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) help individuals replace compulsive behaviors with healthy alternatives, such as mindfulness and acceptance of uncertainty.

Labels on a Macro Level

At a larger level, the stigma and labels tied to mental illness can be detrimental. When I sought help for OCD, I received various inaccurate diagnoses, which only added to the confusion and stress. Labels like depression, generalized anxiety, and possible bipolar disorder were suggested, none of which were accurate or helpful.

The Problem with Over-Identification

The primary issue with mental illness labels is that people tend to over-identify with them. Statements like “I am depressed” or “I am obsessive-compulsive” reflect a deeper issue where the condition becomes a defining part of one’s identity. This not only skews self-perception but also reduces an individual's complex identity to a singular condition.

Broadening the Scope of Identity

It's vital to recognize that mental illness is merely a fraction of who you are. Each person's identity is an intersection of many aspects, including:

• Gender

• Race

• Socioeconomic status

• Religion

• Culture

• Family roles

  (e.g., father, mother, sibling)

These various factors collectively form our identities, and it's crucial to appreciate this diversity instead of letting a mental health condition define us.

Breaking Free from Labels

If you are dealing with OCD, anxiety, or any form of mental illness, it's time to break free from the constraints of labels. Recognize that you are a unique individual with a broad and intricate identity, and your mental health condition does not define you.

Conclusion

To truly overcome OCD, you must move beyond labels—whether specific OCD subtypes or broader mental illness diagnoses. Labels can often do more harm than good, and understanding this is a pivotal step towards recovery.