Obsessed with the Wrong Idea: How Pop Culture Misrepresents OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions in popular culture. In films, TV shows, and everyday language, it’s often reduced to a personality quirk. Someone who likes things neat, color-coded, or alphabetized is labeled “so OCD.” But this oversimplified portrayal does real harm.
OCD is not about being tidy or organized. It’s a complex and often debilitating mental health condition marked by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) done to relieve the anxiety those thoughts create. These compulsions may offer temporary relief but usually lead to more distress in the long run. For many people, OCD is painful, isolating, and can seriously interfere with daily life.
To shed light on what OCD really is, we spoke with Dr. Rohit Aiyer, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist who has worked closely with patients struggling with obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Q&A with Dr. Rohit Aiyer, M.D.
Q1: Why is OCD so often portrayed inaccurately in the media?
Dr. Aiyer: The media tends to focus on what’s most visible. That usually means compulsive behaviors like hand washing, checking, or organizing. But those are just one part of the condition. The more painful aspect for most people is the mental part. The intrusive thoughts can be deeply upsetting and are often completely hidden from view. That’s where the media tends to miss the mark.
Q2: What do you see as one of the most damaging misconceptions about OCD?
Dr. Aiyer: That it’s just about being neat or particular. This kind of thinking downplays the disorder and makes people feel like their suffering isn’t valid. Some of my patients spend hours each day stuck in mental rituals or trying to undo distressing thoughts. That isn’t quirky. It’s exhausting.
Q3: How can we start changing the way OCD is talked about and understood?
Dr. Aiyer: We need to broaden public understanding of what OCD actually involves. Clinicians can play a big role by taking a full history and not dismissing symptoms that don’t fit the stereotype.
Final Thoughts
The way OCD is shown in popular culture shapes how people understand it, and how those living with it feel about themselves. With more accurate representation we can move toward a culture that takes mental health seriously and makes space for compassion.
