What I perceived as good hygiene often got obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) label like how sadness got equated with depression from standard viewpoint. As much as good hygiene is a part of life, sadness is also a normal reaction to a stressful life event. Casual use of medical terms draws the attention towards insignificant things disregarding the essence of it.
OCD is repetitive and distressful. Unwanted fears lead to obsessive behaviours like arranging objects in a certain manner or washing hands frequently. These thoughts are uncontrolled and stressful often needing medical attention. OCD is not something to be mocked at. Good hygiene is a way of life and OCD demands treatment as it’s not as simple as washing and cleaning contrary to the normal perception.
A depressed person never wants to hear how others were depressed too as his experience gets diluted and dismissed when passing sadness is regarded as identical to depression. Sadness is generally short lived and is a normal reaction that everyone goes through when encountered with tough life situations. No doubt self control has a role but boasting about recovery from a sad event is an insult to a real depressed person.
So, how do we stop switching terms as per our convenience..? Is it due to lack of awareness or human connect..? It’s both as we delve more into self, overemphasizing the uncomplicated or trivialising a major trauma, being indifferent to every experience of others.
vinayagowda 