Talk:Pearl/@comment-5147608-20140930212706/@comment-25469541-20141126054302

People need to stop associating things like being a "clean-freak" or being partial to organization with having OCD. Stop with the stereotypes. Do you guys know how ignorant and insensitive you sound when you take characters like Pearl and say things like, "lol she's SOO OCD" or "she's such a clean freak, she definitely has OCD!"? Mental disorders aren't adjectives. They're not jokes. Actually do research before claiming that you believe a certain character has OCD or something; chances are that you're not going to think that anymore once you learn what the disorder you're headcanoning a character as having really is. So for those of you who are neurotypical and think that Pearl has OCD because she's a clean freak; because she plans stuff out a lot; because she likes stuff symmetrical; because she's organized; because; because; because- HERE are the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:

Obsessive thoughts - Obsessions are repetitive and persistent thoughts (e.g., of contamination with germs), images (e.g., of violent or horrific scenes), or urges (e.g., to stab someone).'' The specific content of obsessions and compulsions varies between individuals. However, certain themes are common. '' Common obsessive thoughts: Compulsive behaviors -  Individuals with obsessions typically attempt to behave in a way to compensate for obsessive thoughts by performing mental acts (e.g., counting, repeating words silently) or ritual behaviors called compulsions (e.g., washing, checking). However, performing compulsive acts most-often fails to neutralize the obsessions, instead exacerbating such thoughts and ultimately leading to greater distress. Common compulsive behaviors: Before anyone makes a comment saying that they still think Pearl has OCD because she "fits" a few of the more commonly known symptoms described above: 'Don't. make. neuroatypical. headcanons. based. off. stereotypes. EVER.'
 * Fear of being contaminated by germs or dirt or contaminating others.
 * Fear of causing harm to yourself or others.
 * Intrusive sexually explicit or violent thoughts and images.
 * Excessive focus on religious or moral ideas.
 * Fear of losing or not having things you might need.
 * Order and symmetry: the idea that everything must line up “just right.”
 * Superstitions; excessive attention to something considered lucky or unlucky.
 * Excessive double-checking of things, such as locks, appliances, and switches.
 * Repeatedly checking in on loved ones to make sure they’re safe.
 * Counting, tapping, repeating certain words, or doing other senseless things to reduce anxiety.
 * Spending a lot of time washing or cleaning.
 * Ordering or arranging things “just so.”
 * Praying excessively or engaging in rituals triggered by religious fear.
 * Accumulating “junk” such as old newspapers or empty food containers.

When people headcanon a character as having a mental/personality disorder or form of illness that they have themselves, it's because they see themselves in that character. It feels great to relate to a character you like in that kind of way. We have personal experience to base these things off of. If you headcanon a character as being neuroatypical and you're neurotypical, or you don't have what you're headcanoning that character as having, do your research and remember not to over-step your boundaries.