Is OCD A Disability?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can have a disruptive effect on virtually every part of a person’s life. Does this mean that OCD is a disability? And if it is, what protections are available to people who have this condition.
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What Is OCD?
One reason why some people may ask, “Is OCD a disability?” is because this disorder is often portrayed in popular media as little more than a goofy personality quirk.
If your knowledge of OCD has been limited to what you’ve seen in movies and on TV, it’s understandable to wonder how a fervent desire for organization can qualify as a disabling condition.
The truth about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is that it is a complex mental health condition with symptoms that are far more distressing than most people realize.
OCD Symptoms
OCD is characterized by two types of symptoms: obsessions and compulsions. Some people who have OCD only have obsessions, some only have compulsions, and some have both.
Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts that are sources of considerable emotional pain. Examples of common OCD-related obsessions include:
- Extreme fear of becoming contaminated
- Worrying that you forgot to unplug an appliance, lock a door, or perform some other important household safety task
- Concern that you will embarrass yourself by accidentally blurt out something obscene, blasphemous, or otherwise offensive
- Thinking that you might suddenly harm someone else, such as by stabbing them or steering your car into a crowd of pedestrians
- Becoming upset when items are not arranged in a specific order
Compulsions are behaviors or rituals that you feel forced to perform, such as:
- Washing your hands or showing excessively, even when there’s not actual reason to do so
- Cleaning your room, house, or office excessively
- Being unable to leave a room until you have touched a certain number objects in a specific order
- Needing to repeat certain actions an exact number of times, such as turning a light on and off five times
- Repeating certain words or numbers over and over again, either out loud or to yourself
When you have OCD, these obsessions and compulsions can make you feel like you are trapped. For example:
- If you fail to perform a certain compulsion, you might fear that something terrible will happen to someone else as a result (which is sometimes referred to as magical thinking).
- If you develop fear-based obsessions, they may prevent you from meeting new people, pursuing a career, or even leaving the house.
Now that we’ve established how painful and limiting untreated OCD can be, let’s turn our attention toward the question at the top of this post: Is OCD a disability?
Is OCD a Disability?
You might expect that a short, simple yes/no question like, “Is OCD a disability?” would have an even shorter and simpler one-word answer.
Unfortunately, for this particular question, there are multiple correct answers, most of which involve detailed explanations. The primary reason for this is that the term “disability” can be defined different ways depending on the context in which it is used.
For the purposes of today’s post, we’re going to explore whether or not OCD is a disability from the perspective of one federal law and two federally funded forms of financial support.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA has been federal law since 1990. Its purpose is to prevent discrimination on the basis of disability in several areas, including:
- Employment
- Transportation
- Public accommodations
- Communications
- Access to programs and services provided by state and local governments
The employment component of the ADA, which applies to organizations with 15 or more employees, prohibits employers from firing, denying promotions, refusing to hire, or otherwise punishing individuals based on disability, as long as the individual in question can do the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
For someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder, this description raises two questions:
- Does OCD qualify as a disability?
- What would reasonable accommodations look like for someone with OCD?
The answer to the first question is yes. OCD and other mental illnesses are covered disabilities under the ADA.
The answer to the second question can vary depending on the nature and severity of a person’s symptoms. Examples of potential reasonable accommodations for someone with OCD could include flexible scheduling, a modified workspace to minimize distractions, permission to wear noise-canceling headphones, and the ability to work from home.
Though OCD is covered under the ADA, the law’s protections are not automatic. Employees and job candidates must reveal their disability and request specific accommodations.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
The SSA administers two types of disability-related financial support programs:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): To qualify for SSDI, a person must have a disability or blindness, and must also have worked for at least five of the previous 10 years.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): To receive SSI payments, a person must have a disability or blindness, or be at least 65 years old. They must also have limited income and resources.
Could someone with OCD qualify for SSDI or SSI? Yes, they could.
Is it easy for someone with OCD to access SSDI or SSI? Not always.
To receive funding through either of these SSA-administered programs, a person must prove that their OCD symptoms make it impossible for them to work. They must also prove that they meet prior work requirements (for SSDI) or that their income and resources fall below a certain level (for SSI).
To determine if you or someone in your family is eligible for disability-related legal protections or financial support due to OCD, you may want to begin by contacting the appropriate federal, state, or local agency.
Find OCD Treatment in Philadelphia
If OCD has been preventing you from living the life you desire, New Mind Wellness Center is here to help.
When you choose our OCD treatment center in Philadelphia, PA, you can receive personalized outpatient care and comprehensive support from a team of skilled and experienced professionals.
We will work closely with you to identify the full scope of your needs and help you set achievable short-and long-term goals. Then we’ll develop a customized plan that can put you on the path toward a much healthier and more hopeful future.
When you’re ready to get started, our team is here for you. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our admissions page or call us today.
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