The selection of ‘humorous’ memes posted below are the tip of the comedic iceberg when it comes to trivialisation and misunderstanding of this horrific and debilitating mental illness. It ruins lives, it takes lives, it strips it’s victims of every last shred of pride and self-respect they ever possessed. It’s a constant, tormenting voice. The last thing sufferers need is others adding to their anguish and despair.
We have been talking a lot about self-education on social media of late. In today’s age, there is no real excuse for misunderstanding and lack of knowledge. So I would challenge you all, if you think you can be ‘a little bit OCD’ or think it only relates to ‘clean freaks,’ to discover the truth. There are plenty of resources out there that tell it how it really is. Warts and all. OCD can be a life sentence and it’s sufferers need empathy and support, not sniggering and ignorance.
Black Thoughts 
Thanks for sharing . it’s so sad that OCD is a term that is thrown around far too often!
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Agreed. Thank you for understanding
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I’d like to believe that those sharing these images don’t know how harmful and callous they’re being. Unfortunately, I know first hand that many don’t care.
Thanks for raising the issue. If nothing else, you’re getting people to think twice before contributing to the insensitivity.
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You’re welcome. Thank you for understanding
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I am so sorry for all the insensitivity that people have displayed. Thank you for continuing to reach out and tell us your story, and let us see the brutal truth of not only OCD, but also how these “comedic memes” affect those who every fight to live their lives without letting OCD control them.
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You’re very welcome, Joelle. Thank you for all your support 🙂
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🤬
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I can see the point.
However, doesn’t it help when dealing with awful things, to make them into a Well-intentioned joke?
That’s how I often deal with aging and my mental illness and MS:
it’s a way of cutting the enemy down to size, not a way of being unkind.
Don’t you see?
That’s why I like Monk. He is classically OCD. I love his tenacity and relentless quest for truth…BECAUSE it is hard for him with his mental illness.
I love your work, my father.
And I think not taking ourselves too seriously is a sign of mental health not the opposite.
#copingskill
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Agreed. Terms like OCD should not be bandied around or used as the basis for jokes. The current “Person, Woman, Camera, Man…’ trope is unfortunate too IMHO. Whether you believe Trump has dementia or not, dementia is not something which we should be laughing at. It’s also unfortunate that because Trump has creates such a low level of public debate, so most people think it’s funny because the joke is at his expense. But one day, we may all find outselves doing the same test, and we won’t be laughing then….
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That’s true. Thank you for understanding
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Thank you for pointing out the truth that issues, such as OCD. are not funny at all. I actually walked out of a theater play in Chicago years ago because the character who supposedly had a mental illness was being portrayed as the butt of jokes. I didn’t laugh. Mental illness shouldn’t be trivialized. In reference to the television show Monk (as mentioned above) the character was also portrayed as highly intelligent. He was someone beyond OCD. He was a person and not just a diagnosis. I really enjoyed reading this post.
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You’re very welcome, Jenny. Thank you for understanding. That’s why I made the MC in my book have OCD. To educate and raise awareness.
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Thank you for this important post and your tireless efforts to enlighten your readers about mental illness. I am afraid I have been one of those who has trivialized this disorder in the past for which I am sincerely sorry. Just so you know you are having an effect, you have motivated me to change my behavior and to actively interrupt others who joke like this in my presence.
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Thank you. That’s so encouraging to hear. Thank you for your honesty and humility 🙏🏻
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We can not know the battles others fight each day. The only right way to live is with compassion so we can lift each other up whenever possible, and move towards a brighter tomorrow for everyone. Thank you once again for sharing honest information about this, and encouraging constructive discussion.
I see different people having different perspectives on using humour to reduce the negative power of something. But we must take care how this is done, so it is but hurtful, and actually accomplishes what is intended. If our behaviour is inappropriate, especially those of us who do not suffer from this terrible thing, we must apologise and change it.
Keep on keeping on. To you and family, take care. 🌟
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Thank you. You’re very welcome 😊
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I love this discussion! I will definitely think more clearly about using humor to cope with hard things. Thankyou my father. Good has been done here.
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You’re welcome. Thank you 😊
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Thanks for sharing. I believe the more we share about our mental health the less stigma there will be.
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I totally agree. You’re welcome 😊
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I know plenty who keep making the CDO joke. I’ll be sending this to those people who say that next time it happens.
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Thank you. Much appreciated 🙂
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