OCD
Depression
Anxiety
Eating Disorder
100

What does OCD stand for?

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

100

Myth or Fact

Dealing with depression is a normal part of life.

Myth

"Even though your life goes through many changes, being depressed is not something with which you have to live."

100

Myth or Fact

Anxiety will go away on its own.

Myth

"Symptoms of anxiety are persistent and usually require treatment to subside."

100

Myth or Fact

recovery from eating disorders is rare.

Myth

"Recovery is absolutely possible.  Due to the complexity of eating disorders, recovery can take months or years, but with treatment, many people do recover."

200

Myth or Fact

We are all “a little bit OCD” at times.

Myth:

"OCD is not a personality quirk or a character trait — it is a very real mental health condition that affects about 2 to 3 million adults, and half a million youth, in the US alone."

200

Myth or Fact

Feeling down and being depressed are two different things.

Fact

200

Myth or Fact

Anxiety is the most common mental disorder.

Fact

"33.7% of adults in the United States will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime."

200

Myth or Fact

Only very thin people have an eating disorder.

Myth

"While anorexia is characterized by extreme low weight, many individuals struggling with bulimia, binge eating disorder are normal-weighted."

300

Myth or Fact

OCD is just about hand washing, cleaning, and being neat.

Myth:

"Triggers related to cleanliness and symptoms related to washing make up only a small part of the range of OCD triggers and symptoms. People with OCD can have obsessions related to a wide variety of things."

300

Myth or Fact

If you have a family member with depression, you will have it, too.

Myth 

"While there is a genetic component in depression, research shows it’s slight. Of people who have a relative who deals with depression, only 10 to 15 percent will also develop depression"

300

Myth or Fact

Panic attacks can cause you to faint.

Myth

"Fainting during panic attacks is rare."

300

Myth or Fact

Eating disorders are just about food.

Myth

While eating disorders generally involve obsession with calories, weight or shape, these illnesses are rooted in biological, psychological and sociocultural aspects.

400

Myth or Fact

With proper treatment, it is very possible for people with OCD to lead full and productive lives.

Fact

400

Myth or Fact 

Depression is all in your head.

Myth

"Depression is a psychological, social, and biological disorder. It’s chronic and takes treatment to manage. Someone who is depressed can’t just shut it off or suck it up.”

400

Myth or Fact

Breathing into a paper bag prevents hyperventilation.

Myth 

"Breathing into a paper bag is unlikely to prevent hyperventilation, but breathing techniques can help reduce the likelihood of hyperventilation."

400

Myth or Fact

Eating disorders are caused by the media.

Myth 

"Many people are exposed to the media on a daily basis but only a small percentage of them actually develop eating disorders.  Eating disorders are complex and serious illnesses that have biological, genetic and psychological roots."