Session Ten - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Welcome to session ten of ‘The Human Factor’ series. This is the 4th of 4 sessions in our series 'The Human Factor' dealing with Neural Diversity in the workplace.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health OCD is:

“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a long-lasting disorder in which a person experiences uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions), engages in repetitive behaviors (compulsions), or both. People with OCD have time-consuming symptoms that can cause significant distress or interfere with daily life. However, treatment is available to help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

People with OCD may have obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions?are repeated thoughts, urges, or mental images that are intrusive, unwanted, and make most people anxious. Common obsessions include:

·???????? Fear of germs or contamination

·???????? Fear of forgetting, losing, or misplacing something

·???????? Fear of losing control over one’s behavior

·???????? Aggressive thoughts toward others or oneself

·???????? Unwanted, forbidden, or taboo thoughts involving sex, religion, or harm

·???????? Desire to have things symmetrical or in perfect order

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors a person feels the urge to do, often in response to an obsession. Common compulsions include:

·???????? Excessive cleaning or handwashing

·???????? Ordering or arranging items in a particular, precise way

·???????? Repeatedly checking things, such as whether the door is locked, or the oven is off

·???????? Compulsive counting

·???????? Praying or repeating words silently

Not all repeated thoughts are obsessions, and not all rituals or habits are compulsions. However, people with OCD generally:

·???????? Can’t control their obsessions or compulsions, even when they know they’re excessive.

·???????? Spend more than 1 hour a day on their obsessions or compulsions.

·???????? Don’t get pleasure from their compulsions but may feel temporary relief from their anxiety.

·???????? Experience significant problems in daily life due to these thoughts or behaviors."

Similar to the other three Neural Diversities covered in our earlier sessions, OCD can have a positive impact in the work place too according to a report published by Meditopia Oct 8th, 2024.

“Here are some types of jobs that may be particularly well-suited for a person with OCD:

• Administrative Roles: Jobs that involve maintaining schedules, organizing documents, and managing office systems can appeal to individuals with OCD, who often excel at tasks requiring precision and consistency.
• Research and Data Analysis: Analytical roles that require thoroughness, such as research positions or data analysis, can be a great fit. Employees with OCD may find satisfaction in jobs that allow them to focus on accuracy and delve into detail-oriented tasks.
• Creative Professions: Creative roles like graphic design, writing, or photography offer flexibility and allow individuals with this condition?to channel their focus and creativity.?
• Quality Control or Inspection: Positions that require monitoring product quality, safety, or compliance can be ideal for individuals with OCD, as they can apply their detail-oriented nature to ensuring standards are met.
• Accounting or Finance: Jobs in accounting, bookkeeping, or financial analysis that require attention to detail and accuracy can align well with the strengths of employees managing OCD.

But to help ensure success the business needs to be supportive, like they already do in many other areas. Here are just a few suggestions with regard to properly preparing the business for the employee’s success with their OCD on the job:

1.????? Effective communication is vital when supporting employees with?OCD. It fosters transparency and trust, allowing the employee to feel understood and valued. Rather than just addressing performance, communication helps navigate the personal challenges employees might face, ensuring support feels genuine and proactive.

2.????? Reducing the pressure of rigid deadlines or providing a quieter, more private workspace can minimize stress triggers. Access to mental health support and creating an atmosphere where breaks are encouraged to help manage compulsions are also valuable adjustments.

3.????? Employers should keep all discussions regarding their condition or related accommodations strictly private. Only those who need to know, like HR or direct supervisors, should be informed. Upholding privacy ensures that the employee feels safe from stigma and maintains their professional dignity within the workplace.

4.????? If an employee continues to struggle, employers should reassess the current accommodations, offer further mental health resources, and encourage professional help, such as therapy, while keeping communication open and supportive. Please, consider that?termination due to mental health reasons may not be legal in your country.”

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As a professional, it is important to note that individuals with unique neural wiring, such as those with OCD, possess qualities that can be beneficial to the business world. For example, I know of a tax accountant with OCD who pays meticulous attention to detail, which helps ensure a valuable attribute with his accuracy and compliance in financial transactions. Having OCD, in his personal life he meticulously verifies that all appliances have been turned off, and the lights have been switched off. Doors are triple checked to have been locked. But he also has a strong sense of responsibility and a desire to provide the best possible service to his clients, which leads to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Because his OCD is not limited to only his personal life, but everything in his life, it affects his business life the same. He doesn’t just do a single check of his work, but rather involves a thorough examination of every detail, by individually reviewing his work three separate times before submitting it to the team that is actually responsible for verifying the accuracy and correctness of those returns. This team has reported they have a track record of finding no errors with his work, indicating a very high level of precision and attention to detail that he always brings to his work. his fees charged are consistent with industry standards despite spending more time on his preparation. His work is of exceptional quality and has a demonstrated track record of resulting in minimal audits.

If you needed the preparation of your personal or business tax returns, and chose to utilize the services of a professional tax preparer? Would you be concerned if the tax accountant chosen was OCD. Would it negatively impact your decision to engage their service? Would you think the term "Disorder" to be appropriate in this context?

In summary of all 4 of our sessions dealing with the topic of Neural Diversity, individuals with unique neural-wiring can bring valuable skills, talents, and perspectives to the workplace. It is important to recognize and harness these qualities in order to achieve greater success in business.

Please join us this coming Monday, Nov. 25th, for Session Eleven – Emotional Intelligence