Do you consider OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) to be a mental illness (DSM 4, code 300.3)?

Hypothetically, should I feel obliged to feel compassion for those afflicted by that illness?
Or should I fear them, shun them, imply that they should feel guilty for having that disorder (it鈥檚 their fault they鈥檙e 鈥榣ike that鈥??
Would my best course of action be to get angry with them if they show the slightest 鈥榥egative鈥?sign of their illness? (Negative being anything I decide I don鈥檛 like).

Or should I show some understanding, read up on the illness, be supportive, and not be quick to judge them?

What would you do?
I鈥檓 interested in people鈥檚 attitudes towards, and methods of dealing with mental illness.

I think it is a mental illness, but I'm also told that everyone has it to some degree. Lord knows I have things that I have to have in order or I just can't concentrate. I think it's only serious once it reached a point where it's out of the person's control or it impairs their life. I certainly wouldn't shun them and it's not their fault so don't be negative. Learn about it. Try to be supportive and helpful. Best Wishes!

OCD is a debilitating disorder, characterised by
obsessions - that is, unwanted intrusive thoughts and compulsions - behaviours that are meant to stop those thoughts.
Eg someone may feel that they will die if they dont wash their hands - the obsession is death, and the compulsion is to wash their hands.
Its a terrible illness, for some people are completely unable to lead normal lives, and no matter how hard they try they cant get rid of those thoughts even though they know it doesnt make sense. They definitely deserve your compassion. You can see very young children with OCD - and it certainly is not their fault. OCD is an anxiety disorder.
I think the fact that you post this question shows that you know that the correct thing to do is support people with OCD and any other mental illness.

Well, when you have a deviated septum and you have collapsed the bridge of your nose due to your excessive, incessant nose picking and every person you've asked out on a date is somehow is too busy to go out with you, it may be a mental illness. These days I am too ashamed to leave my house because I look terrible and my nose is worse than Michael Jacksons, maybe that's why they don't want to go out with me...

Currently I am working with a psychiatrist and plastic surgeon to get this terrible problem under control. I am going for surgery on May 14th and I am so excited about my new face. I hope I don't destroy my new nose. This is a terrible disease.

I have also washed my hands so many times I almost have no fingerprints left and they crack and bleed frequently.

Please pray for me.

i have ocd im glad ther r people u take it more serious than think certain thing r funny and ther not. unfortantly mines serve and some would just not understand