Jenna Ortega Struggle with OCD: Her Candid Confession

Jenna Ortega is one of the newest crop of stars in Hollywood. She has most recently played Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s Wednesday. Ortega has recently been open about her obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She was very clear about the fact that she does not just have quirks. It is a real mental health diagnosis that influences her daily life.

The Inside Scoop on Jenna Ortega’s Daily Life

In an interview with the Heart Evening Show, Ortega divulged that she has nightly OCD rituals. It include going up and down the stairs six times and verifying her doors are locked. Ortega explained that these compulsions are all related to her anxiety and her “magical thinking” — that by performing certain compulsions she can prevent something bad happening.

“I have pretty bad OCD,” she revealed. (She) added, “I was constantly having repetitive thoughts and counted everything over and over, and needed to constantly do the same thing.” Ortega explained her symptoms also manifest more severely when she is tired, which can complicate circumstances where she has to manage her OCD during filming.

Health news professionals note that being a public figure such as Ortega can mean more traveling and additional stressors to deal with, which sometimes makes handling OCD more difficult.

Understanding OCD: More Than Habits

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder that involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsession) that lead to unwanted actions (compulsion). These actions can cause substantial loss of time from your regular routines, jobs, and socialization.

Also, OCD will continue for a long time, and symptoms can wax and wane in severity. Whereas habits that we do every day become routines, obsessive-compulsive actions are not voluntarily behavior, cause anxiety, and are frequently difficult to stop.

Who Can Be Affected?

According to mental health professionals, OCD can affect anyone. The typical age symptoms begin is 19 years old, and nearly half of individuals diagnosed with OCD show symptoms in childhood or adolescents. OCD is rare to develop for the first time after age 40.

Common Signs and Symptoms Of OCD

Worrying signs and symptoms include:

Incessant intrusive thoughts
Excessive worrying
Fear of germs or dirt
Extreme uncertainty or fear of making mistakes
Fixation on being even or getting it right
Repetitive washing, cleaning, or checking
Rituals that involve numbers or specific steps or actions
Collecting items that have no or little value

Causes and Risk Factors

Though the exact cause of OCD is still not known, studies have identified a number of genetic, neurological, and environmental factors that may contribute:

Genetics: The risk of developing OCD is greater in people with family members that have OCD.
Neurological Changes to the Brain: Brain imaging studies have identified patterns and changes in brain structures in areas associated with impulse control and decision making.
Trauma/Loss in Childhood: It is possible that childhood experiences of abuse or neglect contribute.
PANDAS syndrome: In rare cases, children suffering from a strep infection may appear to develop OCD-like symptoms.

Treatments

OCD is treatable, and many people find relief with a combination of:

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP): A cognitive-behavioral form of treatment that involves systematically preventing compulsive behavior.
Medications: Such as selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may facilitate the reduction of obsessions and compulsive behavior.
Lifestyle Management: Getting enough sleep, reducing stress and support.

Both personally and publicly, Jenna Ortega is helping reduce the stigma for OCD, and inspiring others to seek support and help without shame. Mental health professionals explain that early recognition and intervention can basically change a person’s life.

Her story stresses the need for awareness increased in the entertainment industry, where mental health conditions are often overlooked.