Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
I just got out of my Psychology class and I am kind of upset. Today was about anxiety disorders. My professor talked about obsessions and compulsions and I am so mad on how he portrayed people with this illness. He said they are egocentric and only care about themselves!! WTF!! I have never heard this before and I got so mad when he said it. I mean I know that there are probably people who only care about themselves, but he made it sound like all people who suffer from this are egocentric! I am the least egocentric person that i know. In fact I thikn that I should probably be a little more egocentric. I care so much about other people that I sometimes neglect myself over others. The most horrible thing is that all of my classmates just listened to him and blankly accepted this fact. They just wrote it down: people with OCD=egocentric.
Another thing that makes me bad about the class is that he was explaining some of the rituals that some people with OCD exhibit. He talked about washing hands a little, checking faucets and stoves, and the thought process of someone with OCD. He was just telling these stories in a funny way and everyone in the class was laughing except me. I mean he used to be a clinical psychologist, so I thought he would know about how not to make fun of someone with an illness.
Another thing that makes me bad about the class is that he was explaining some of the rituals that some people with OCD exhibit. He talked about washing hands a little, checking faucets and stoves, and the thought process of someone with OCD. He was just telling these stories in a funny way and everyone in the class was laughing except me. I mean he used to be a clinical psychologist, so I thought he would know about how not to make fun of someone with an illness.
I'm sure we all have a certain amount of selfishness. However, as an OCD sufferer and germ nut, I one time tried to help save a stanger's life and I was exposed to blood. I thought of the risk of AIDS, but I could not ignore this person's plight. (There were a bunch of "regular, sane" people in a crowd watching, but none were willing to try to help.)
I stood by my wife during a cancer scare-despite my own chest pain scare from the stress.
At age 14 I slept in a room next to my terminally ill mother so I could put her on a bed pan when needed. I was not so selfish/egocentric as to reject her for reasons that her illness put me under too much stress. Unlike a member of my own family now, I don't believe you reject and throw ill family members in in the trash because dealing with their illness is a strain.
I, like all people have some egocentricity, but I don't think it's correct to label OCD sufferers as having being unusually selfish.
I agree with clutteryermind , i too think that everyones egocentric to a certain degree. But for someone like him to label someone with OCD as selfish and egocentric, and to approach this in the laughing jokey way he did is not only stupid, its extremely irresponsible. An anonymous letter of some kind or a complaint to the right people would be something i would want to do.
One thing i believe is that no matter how intelligent /accomplished someone is there will always be gaps in growth.In fact it has been noted that the more specialized one becomes in a certain field the less broad their knowledge.Maybe their needs to be a course in "compassion " at the university.
Well from what u wrote it seems this professor might be doing a" double take."When a professor relates what wd be "entertaining" to a class yet wd not be explained the same with his family or friends etc.Professors are just people ..sometimes not the most heartful ones.Im sorry,really sorry this hurt .This kind of remark seems irresponsible.Isnt this taking a chance someone cd be really offended...sorry bout that.People often wear many faces,right?
But to say something..I am also near graduating with psy. degree and have life experience with mental struggles.
I have taken classes with and read books from many "knowledgeable " professors and academics. Many of whom speak of something they can elegantly theorize and know from"experience " with ppl who have the disorder. It has been said that the best healers are those who have been sick with the illness themselves.So between our doctors and us with the disorders is a gap.We know from the inside ,they form outside.Without a bridge ppl like the prof. will objectify the patients and the patients deify or nullify him.We need bridges between these two.There are a few out there ...keep looking.And as far as egocentric ...people often point out flaws in others that they avoid SEEING in themselves. The term is called"projection" ...i hope everythings better now.