Speaking of Psychology OCD myths and realities, with Dean McKay, PhD, and Uma Chatterjee
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Nov 1, 2023 Psychologist Dean McKay, PhD, and OCD advocate Uma Chatterjee debunk myths about OCD and discuss effective evidence-based treatments. They explore the onset and development of OCD in children, the impact of comorbidities on well-being, and ongoing research in the field.
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Misconceptions About OCD Severity
- OCD is often misunderstood as mere neatness or punctuality, but it is a severe, multifaceted mental health disorder.
- Most people experience occasional OCD-like behaviors, but clinical OCD is debilitating and affects daily functioning profoundly.
Uma's Journey with OCD
- Uma Chatterjee shared how severe OCD crippled her life, including extreme compulsions and misdiagnosis until age 22.
- Proper diagnosis and exposure with response prevention therapy transformed her academic achievements and life trajectory.
Early OCD Diagnosis Guidance
- Diagnosis of OCD relies on self-report inventories and skilled clinicians as no definitive brain scan exists.
- Primary care physicians should use brief screening tools to identify OCD early and refer for specialized care to avoid misdiagnosis.