Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood, with many common misconceptions that can diminish the reality of the condition. For instance, people frequently associate OCD with being a perfectionist, overly neat, or highly organized. While these traits may appear in some individuals with OCD, they do not define the disorder. Some may even dismiss OCD as a quirky personality trait, when in fact, it is a complex and debilitating mental health condition. Perhaps the most harmful misconception is that OCD is a choice—a trait that can be controlled or turned off at will. The truth is far more complicated: OCD is not a choice, but a persistent and overwhelming condition that takes hold of the mind, often in ways that feel completely out of an individual’s control.

In her artwork, Stevie Tierney captures a crucial and often overlooked aspect of OCD—the utter lack of choice and control that comes with the condition. Tierney’s inspiration for this piece came from a conversation with someone who lives with OCD. They described the experience as being forced into a cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours that felt inescapable. No matter how hard they tried to suppress the urge to perform rituals or fix perceived imperfections, the anxiety was relentless, and the need to “correct” or “control” their surroundings could not be silenced. The artist draws attention to this internal struggle, portraying the overwhelming powerlessness that defines the lived experience of OCD.

In the visual narrative of the piece, the figure is bound at the hands while surrounded by a tangle of vibrant, chaotic colours, each swarming and shifting in ways that feel out of control, representing the inner turmoil and confusion that often accompany OCD. In a desperate bid to regain control, hands reach out to break free, but despite their efforts, they remain entangled in the mess of their thoughts, desperately working to quiet the noise or ease the relentless discomfort.

Tierney’s piece captures the true essence of living with OCD, which is often a constant and exhausting battle with one’s own mind where control is often the thing most out of reach. The work invites empathy and understanding, calling attention to the harsh reality of living with a condition that forces its way into every corner of a person’s life.

To see more by Stevie Tierney, click the link here

Feature Image Credit: Steve Johnson on Unsplash.