Mind4Youth

Author: Adeline Arthur

In today’s digital age, mental health conditions, despite their prevalence, often remain shrouded in misunderstanding among the general public. The rise of social media has led to an overrun of both valuable insights and rampant misinformation. However, maybe the most eye-catching of the apps is TikTok. Consisting of mainly short-form content, creators can make quick and digestible content for their users on almost any topic of their choosing. Simultaneous with the heightened spotlight on mental health in recent years, there has been a parallel increase in misleading or just outright incorrect information, particularly on platforms like TikTok. This is because these creator-focused platforms are highly unregulated and readily accessible by users. Such platforms
provide users and creators alike to explore various topics, however problems arise when the information shared may be inaccurate and/or perpetuates false stereotypes.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or better known as OCD is arguably one of the most portrayed mental disorders in the media and is more than often misrepresented. Despite its complex nature, OCD is often oversimplified to mere hand washing rituals. The normalization of such misconceptions has led to casual self-diagnoses and the trivialization of the disorder’s severity. In Canada alone, diagnosed cases of OCD account for just 0.93% of the population (Osland et al.). Such a minimization results in common misconceptions and can easily lead any susceptible users down an internet rabbit hole of self-diagnosing. Therefore, the essential point persists: social media should serve as a tool for comprehending mental health disorders rather than as a doctor to diagnose you.

What is OCD?
OCD is a long-lasting disorder in which a person will experience uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or engage in repetitive behaviors (compulsions) (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH]). Some common obsessions are a fear of germs or contamination or the desire to have symmetry or order. Similarly, common compulsions include excessive cleaning or hand washing or repeatedly checking things (e.g., if the door is locked or the oven is off). Such symptoms can be time consuming and cause distress, interfering with daily activities.

While these obsessions and compulsions seem like things the majority of the population deal with, OCD can be so much more and isn’t as simple as most people think. What differentiates those that have the mental disorder are two crucial factors as outlined by the National Institute of Mental Health: (1) the inability to control obsessions or compulsions, even when they know they’re excessive and (2) spending more than 1 hour a day on obsessions or compulsions (NIMH). As such, the population that would likely be diagnosed with the disorder becomes much smaller. Research indicates that the typical age at which OCD symptoms begin is 19, with 25% of cases occurring by age 14. Additionally, women are 3x more likely to be affected than men and those with OCD are usually diagnosed with at least one additional condition such as generalized anxiety disorder or phobias (Anxiety & Depression Association of America [ADAA]).

OCD is readily treatable through a variety of means, listed below are just a few treatment options:
● Medication: Health care providers often prescribe medication to treat symptoms, with the most common medications prescribed for OCD being antidepressants that target serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical transmitter within the brain that is involved in depression and OCD. Antidepressants can often take 8-12 weeks before symptoms begin to improve and those with OCD who use this medication as treatment often require higher doses than typically used for those with depression (NIMH).
● Psychotherapy: An effective treatment for both adults and children proven to be as effective as medication for many people.
○ Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): a subset of psychotherapy, is a form of talk therapy that helps people recognize the harmful or untrue ways of thinking and how to respond. Additionally it helps people learn to question these thoughts and change self-defeating behavior patterns.
○ Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP): A subset of CBT, this
psychotherapy reduces compulsive behaviors for those that don’t respond well to medication. In this type of therapy, individuals are gradually exposed to situations that may trigger obsessions or compulsions in a safe environment to learn how to disengage from such behaviors (NIMH). ● Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): Often used in conjunction with medication or psychotherapy, rTMS is reserved for people with severe OCD who don’t respond to other treatments. rTMS is a noninvasive therapy that uses a magnet to deliver repeated, low-intensity pulses, to stimulate a part of the brain that medications and therapy cannot reach specifically (NIMH).

In having a more clear understanding of what OCD is through studies and accredited information, individuals can have access to more digestible information they can wrap their heads around and subsequently understand the disorder and its complexities.

How is it Portrayed in the Media?
You may have come across OCD in more traditional media sources, such as TV with characters such as Sheldon Cooper in the Big Bang Theory or Melvin Udall in As Good as it Gets (Stack). Within these shows, stereotypes are played on frequently and often portrayed in a negative or comical way. Such portrayal only reinforces stigmas surrounding mental illnesses. The widespread consumption of these characters and their depiction of OCD has led many to rely on secondhand information derived from television portrayals. As such, a stereotyped and simplified version of the disorder is understood by many and leads to the proliferation of misinformation of what OCD is as a disorder and its implications for those that are diagnosed. While traditional media sources continue to proliferate through shows like Young Sheldon, many have likely been exposed to the mental disorder on creator-based platforms such as Instagram Reels or TikTok videos. These platforms have allowed creators to upload their content frequently and largely without regulation from the companies. Such content dysregulation and open platforms have created both opportunities and limitations to understanding OCD and subsequently all mental health disorders. For example, those diagnosed with the disorder can speak freely and in detail about their personal experiences or struggles. This allows users to better understand the disorder and helps de-stigmatize mental health. Conversely, there are creators that also upload claiming they have OCD and use harmful stereotypes for clicks or views. But, there is no “content police” or way to regulate the sheer amounts of media that are produced on these platforms. Similarly, many creators should not feel the need to “prove” they have symptoms.

Unfortunately, in this type of environment, it is therefore crucial to take steps to ensure you are intaking credible information. Here are just a few ways to ensure the content you absorb is credible:

1. Fact-Check: Look for the source from which creators are pulling facts from
2. Find Credible Creators: Often creators with a valid-background will prove so with a degree or certification such as a medical license and display it in the video or on their account for legitimacy.
3. Triangulate Your Sources: If you are looking for answers to a specific question,
   consult multiple sources and gain different opinions or perspectives. By doing
   this, the likelihood of a creator fabricating information diminishes when multiple sources corroborate the same information.

How to be Properly Diagnosed
While there is no clear path to treating any mental health disorder, OCD is often diagnosed by a healthcare provider such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. It is recommended that you seek diagnosis from your primary healthcare provider as they can refer you further. As well, some steps may be included to make a diagnosis such as the elimination of other problems that may contribute to symptoms, blood work tests, or a psychological interview.

All of these tests and consultations start with your own research, and as reiterated time and time again, the information is at your fingertips. Preliminary research can help better understand the disorder and all mental health disorders. Using the internet as a tool is encouraged, so far as you ensure your sources are credible. All further investigation will be a conversation between you and your healthcare provider.

Take Home Message
Just like any other topic, mental health will inevitably be discussed on the internet. What is important is how we consume and what we do with the information presented to us. Social media can be readily used as a tool but should always be fact-checked to more credible sources. Similarly, if you feel you are experiencing symptoms of OCD, whether from what you see online or as outlined within this article, it is important to consult your healthcare provider as next steps to receive proper diagnosis. Similarly, it is important you don’t further proliferate misinformation you may find on social media and use credible sources to support your content creation