If you’ve never met someone with OCD before it can be confusing when you first hangout with them. It can be really rough for the person with OCD to have people questioning them about why they’re doing something or why they’re asking you to do something you think is weird. It’s okay to ask questions about the disorder and their compulsions or whatever, but it’s not okay to question the disorder itself, and it’s definitely not okay to ask the person if they’re joking.
A lot of people see OCD as a disorder revolving around organization, color coordination, etc. This can be part of it for some people, but for many people that is not the case. And for people who do obsess over those things, it’s not quirky. It’s not being a clean freak. It’s a disorder that takes time out of their life and is constantly nagging at them.
For most people, however, that isn’t part of it. I’m one of the messiest people you will ever meet and in no way fit the stereotype. That doesn’t make my disorder any less torturous or valid. So please, be understanding of the disorder and respectful of how difficult it can be for those struggling with it.
So when I turn the ac dial in your car back and forth eight times, be patient with me. When I turn to look at something and then have to do a full 360 a couple times, be patient with me. If I ask you to please stir your straw six times counterclockwise, be patient with me.
It may be difficult to understand, but please try your best to be accommodating. It may be a bit rough for you; it may get in the way sometimes. If you ever get aggravated at our compulsions, please try to remember how hard it is for us. We hate it too.