(Some) jokes are actually quite harmful

I have autism, ADHD, and OCD. OCD has been repeatedly represented in media and in jokes as the "obsessed with cleaning or numbers" disorder. It leaves actual people with OCD quite isolated and alone because nobody knows what OCD actually is.

Even a doctor suggested that I have a disorder that I don't meet the criteria for because he didn't know OCD could present like mine. I googled the disorder he suggested and I literally don't fit the bill very well... like at all. People with OCD are truly quite lonely in this world.

I am starting to notice the rise of people saying "touch of the 'tism" when we should be taking disorders more seriously. We should not call people autistic for acting slightly quirky; as someone with OCD, might I reinforce how very harmful these types of jokes are.

When I, for example, state that a character is "ADHD-coded," it's because I've observed their character as a whole and notice a lot of common symptoms I also experience. I don't do it as a silly joke because they're quirky.