Color Between the Lines: Navigating Life with OCD | Christiana Koncir | TEDxUnionvilleHS

Mental Health Awareness - The talk addresses the stigma surrounding mental health, urging for kindness and understanding instead of judgment [20] - The speaker shares personal experiences with OCD to break down barriers and encourage empathy [19][20] Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - OCD is defined as having anxiety and using compulsive behaviors to reduce it [4] - OCD can manifest differently in individuals and can be influenced by genetics, brain abnormalities, or environment [5] - The speaker describes personal experiences with OCD, including contamination fears, obsessive thoughts, and the need for order [6][8][9][10] Prevalence of OCD - The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 2.3% of the population has diagnosed OCD, which translates to approximately 1 in every 40 people out of 8 billion people [14] Personal Growth and Identity - The speaker emphasizes having more to offer than just OCD, highlighting accomplishments and hobbies [17][18] - The speaker expresses frustration with being misunderstood and wants to challenge assumptions about mental health [13][16]