A TED-Ed Lesson Debunking Common Misconceptions of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Common misconceptions about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are debunked in an animated video companion to a TED-Ed lesson on the subject by Dr. Natascha M. Santos. The video explains how OCD is not just a set of meticulous grooming and cleaning quirks, but instead is a serious, debilitating psychiatric condition that plagues sufferers with intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors to soothe those worries. People affected by OCD often have little or no control over their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, both of which can get in the way of a patient’s social life, career, and schooling.