Taking care of your health is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Baylor College of Medicine experts have plenty of tips to help you stay healthy. This month’s Health Hint focuses on misconceptions about obsessive compulsive disorder, since May is Mental Health Month.

Obsessive compulsive personality disorder is often what society thinks obsessive compulsive disorder is, but they actually are different. People with OCPD might color-code their closet or arrange their clothes by type, or if you open their fridge all of their labels are lined up perfectly. However, there are no intrusive thoughts or fear attached to these behaviors. They just organize things a certain way or do these compulsive behaviors because it makes them feel better. However, with OCD, it is something that individuals don’t enjoy – there’s nothing they like about it, they are doing it because they feel like they have to in order to get rid of an intrusive thought or fear. It is debilitating and draining and not something that makes the individual feel better and more productive when they are done.”

Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale, assistant professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Learn more about obsessive compulsive disorder, and read a recap and view photos of the recent Partnership for Baylor College of Medicine gala that benefitted mental health programs at Baylor and honored the McIngvale family.