“ It's a serious issue, that needs to start coming to the surface and be discussed openly at our Shoybbes tables. ”

“ I can relate. Sometimes I am so confused by which Bracha to make over a particular food, that I have given up eating my favorite dish (locusts). ”

“ I just keep on reading and rereading this article ”

“ There is an incredible letter from the Steipler about this which is printed in the sefer by Rabbi Greenwald who sent many of these types of shailos to him. ”

“ shtusim!
this guy stays in bed because he likes to Puff away. he's probably up, till late at night surfing the web or listining to the radio etc. of course he's then unable to get up.
let him begin a normal life style with a responsible schedule and all problems will be resolved ”

“ I watched a Bucher in shul that could not stop checking and adjusting his Tefillin to a point where he did not daven a solitary word. He was too concerned about whether his shel rosh was centered and if it was too far forward etc. It definitely exists. ”

“ shtusim!
this guy stays in bed because he likes to Puff away. he's probably up, till late at night surfing the web or listining to the radio etc. of course he's then unable to get up.
let him begin a normal life style with a responsible schedule and all problems will be resolved ”

“ shtusim!
this guy stays in bed because he likes to Puff away. he's probably up, till late at night surfing the web or listining to the radio etc. of course he's then unable to get up.
let him begin a normal life style with a responsible schedule and all problems will be resolved ”

“ I don't know why the responses of the readers above seem to be making light of it. I can totally relate to the guy who is afraid of making a mistake by davening. I myself have had times when I would repeat every other word by davening ten times, because I was scared I did'nt say it right. It's a horrible condition to live with, and I wish I would have someone, other than a therapist, to share this with.
There is hardly any support out there for a frum person. There might be some referal agnecies, but that's where it ends. I would love to see more articles in the frum world on the subject, and maybe some helplines
and support groups...
Also, #10 mentioned a letter from the steipler in a book by Rabbi Greenwald. Which book is that, and where can I get it? ”

“ I just don't understand why people grow up believing G-d demands perfection. Somehow, I was always taught to do the best you can do - we're all only human. I'm sure you'll get just as much mitzvah credit for going to shul in terrible weather even if C'VS your shel rosh is a millimeter off center. Don't you? Isn't it more of what's in your heart and brain instead of what's on it? ”

“ As a child I suffered from OCD. No one knows, not even my husband. Some how I got over it & I never had it since, I don't remember how or why. I just pray it never comes back but at least I'd know to get help. At 8 years old i didn't know what to do. That period of my life was ruined by my obsession with washing my hands. The worst thing was hiding it from my family, because they would have either yelled at me or laughed at me, just like you people are doing.

What upsets me is that so many of you clowns think this is funny. it's not. It's a shame you are all so ignorant & stupid. You wouldn't know OCD if it jumped up & bit you. You think everything you don't know about (which for most of you morons is pretty much everything) is cause for making fun.

Why do you think this is funny? Is diabetes? Heart disease? Cancer? Down syndrome? Why is mental illness a joke? Are you afraid it's catching?

You are heartless. Have you any clue how much humiliation you add to what we already feel? You think OCD sufferers ENJOY this? You call yourselves Frum Jews. Now THAT is a joke. ”

“ It's not OCD, it's RCD = Religious Compulsive Disorder.
When you believe that you have to be more frum than everyone else, because you are special or holier or everyone else is tamey and inferior.
aka Milhouse disease. ”

“ I used to have a "krenk" where I would kiss mezzuzos nonstop... It was really annoying to me and others. I also suffered from many related OCD reactions. But one day I told myself, ENOUGH! I literally forced myself not to kiss the mezzuza more than once, I did not touch everything with my left AND right hand (and then with both). Slowly but surely I got over it.
Point is, name it what you want, it's in your power to stop it. Except if you're in the business of making excuses and looking for support groups to empathize with you. In that case, it's probably a case of lacking self confidence or depression. Think about it. ”

“ It's not OCD, it's RCD = Religious Compulsive Disorder.
When you believe that you have to be more frum than everyone else, because you are special or holier or everyone else is tamey and inferior.
aka Milhouse disease. ”

“ To all those complaining about the joking about OCD - let me say this to you, let me say this to you, let me say this to you. If OCD were not to be mocked and would be treated as normal by the community at large - then what would be so abnormal with OCD?? Its not that terrible to be busy and always have something to do! The Gemara says that "Kol leTzinusa Asura, chutz meLetzinasa D'Avodah Zara" and its actually a Mitzva to make Laytzanis from Avoda Zara. So true with OCD. We should (at least on this blog) make all the letzunes we feel like, about the overall hanhagah of OCD. However - on a personal level - the greatest respect and acceptance should be shown to an individual OCD sufferer personally. Hug him/her, Kiss him/her, tell them you are supportive of them. Buy them the book titled "Brain Lock" - its mamish gevaldig. As a shtikkel zeitigga haAreh, I was wondering whether people can have OCD just on one Aiver, for example, my eyelids keep on constantly blinking over and over. Can this be OCD or maybe its only ICD? Any nermahlleh comments in this regard would be greatly appreciated, will be greatly appreciated, will be greatly appreciated. ”

“ To all those complaining about the joking about OCD - let me say this to you, let me say this to you, let me say this to you. If OCD were not to be mocked and would be treated as normal by the community at large - then what would be so abnormal with OCD?? Its not that terrible to be busy and always have something to do! The Gemara says that "Kol leTzinusa Asura, chutz meLetzinasa D'Avodah Zara" and its actually a Mitzva to make Laytzanis from Avoda Zara. So true with OCD. We should (at least on this blog) make all the letzunes we feel like, about the overall hanhagah of OCD. However - on a personal level - the greatest respect and acceptance should be shown to an individual OCD sufferer personally. Hug him/her, Kiss him/her, tell them you are supportive of them. Buy them the book titled "Brain Lock" - its mamish gevaldig. As a shtikkel zeitigga haAreh, I was wondering whether people can have OCD just on one Aiver, for example, my eyelids keep on constantly blinking over and over. Can this be OCD or maybe its only ICD? Any nermahlleh comments in this regard would be greatly appreciated, will be greatly appreciated, will be greatly appreciated. ”

“ I used to have a "krenk" where I would kiss mezzuzos nonstop... It was really annoying to me and others. I also suffered from many related OCD reactions. But one day I told myself, ENOUGH! I literally forced myself not to kiss the mezzuza more than once, I did not touch everything with my left AND right hand (and then with both). Slowly but surely I got over it.
Point is, name it what you want, it's in your power to stop it. Except if you're in the business of making excuses and looking for support groups to empathize with you. In that case, it's probably a case of lacking self confidence or depression. Think about it. ”

“ my husband has been diagnosed with OCD, we live with it on a constant basis. To know that he will read this column and see how many people are mocking him and what he has to live with tears me to pieces, i thank Hashem that i was granted the opportunity to marry such a special person who, can honestly look at himself and get the help he needs and has the heart to be kind to others, Many of you may not have ocd, but you have a far worse illness called insensitivity and there is help for that too, i suggest you get it! ”

“ Most of you are minsinfomed. Ocd is an "illness" that manifests itself in different repetitive behaviors. It is a "mental disorder" and can not be blamed on the classrooms, the parents, the teachers or on anyone publicly "berating a person! OCD knows no boundaries, religions, or age. If one who is prone to OCD would not be religous, his OCD would be the cause of another issue.It is highly treatable by medications and an experienced therapist who specializes in CBT therapy. Unfortunately its a lifetime struggle,however once the person becomes aware of how to treat his "thoughts" he has more control of it.It is very prevalent in our frum circles and our community must be made aware of this "illness." ”

“ I don't know why the responses of the readers above seem to be making light of it. I can totally relate to the guy who is afraid of making a mistake by davening. I myself have had times when I would repeat every other word by davening ten times, because I was scared I did'nt say it right. It's a horrible condition to live with, and I wish I would have someone, other than a therapist, to share this with.
There is hardly any support out there for a frum person. There might be some referal agnecies, but that's where it ends. I would love to see more articles in the frum world on the subject, and maybe some helplines
and support groups...
Also, #10 mentioned a letter from the steipler in a book by Rabbi Greenwald. Which book is that, and where can I get it? ”

“ my husband has been diagnosed with OCD, we live with it on a constant basis. To know that he will read this column and see how many people are mocking him and what he has to live with tears me to pieces, i thank Hashem that i was granted the opportunity to marry such a special person who, can honestly look at himself and get the help he needs and has the heart to be kind to others, Many of you may not have ocd, but you have a far worse illness called insensitivity and there is help for that too, i suggest you get it! ”

“ Very true. And thank you for making it clear.

In all fairness, the disorder can be affected by one's environment. A life which includes a lot of repetitive activities, rewards infinite attention to detail and associates the slightest deviation from routine with bad consequences a sub-clinical case can be aggravated to the point where it becomes a problem. ”

“ Repetitive activities, infinite attention to detail, consequences for small deviations...You mean like practicing medicine? Or were you trying to bash a particular group? ”

“ you really shouldnt be mocking the pain ppl with OCD have.
OCD is REAL and its HELL!!!! my spouse suffers from it and i would not wish it on you or anyone else. and no they dont wake up late because they are surfing the web.
i am deeply offended by your comment......its ignorant and insensitive!

ps. does anyone know of a support group for the family members of OCD sufferers? (doesnt have to be jewish group..) ”