Dear Influencers (and others),
Please stop saying you are “obsessed”.
You’re “obsessed” with your new shoes you got, so swipe up so you can be “obsessed” too. “Obsessed” with your new aaaahmazing face wash. “Obsessed” with your food delivery system or “obsessed” with your new razor, so swipe up.
Honestly, influencers I’m calling you out, but you aren’t the only ones, just the ones that, well…frankly…influence.
More than likely, we’ve all been guilty of using this word inappropriately from time to time. We’re “obsessed” with a Netflix series or I am “obsessed” with a new restaurant.
The word obsessed has truly become a catch all for a number of emotions when in reality it’s a complex disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.
As a psychotherapist, I’ve witnessed people with debilitating obsessions that interfere with all aspects of a person’s life…destroying relationships, careers and health and wellness.
I’ve worked first-hand, with people experiencing obsessive and intrusive thoughts of suicide. Battling obsessive thoughts and graphic images of cutting themselves and self-harm. Addicts who obsess over vivid thoughts of their addiction. Mothers experiencing obsessive aggressive thoughts of wanting to smother their new-born baby.
“Obsessed” over a pair of shoes is trivializing. I’m all for your recommendations, but can we come up with a better-word, more-accurate, less-mental-disorder-y, less-offensive-way to describe your approval of something?
We’ve got to do better. It’s not fair to those who truly suffer with chronic obsessions.
Help end the stigma.
Sincerely,
A Representative for People with Actual Diagnosable Obsessions.
