Catie’s actions onscreen caused a stir from the beginning. She appears on 90 Day Fiance with her fiance, Josh. She often makes out with friends and strangers while drinking, and she says her OCD is the reason behind it. Josh has struggled to understand her behavior but supports her as strongly as he can. Many find the explanation for her drunk behavior awkward.

OCD is usually linked to intrusive thoughts and repetitive habits, not impulsive actions like this. Catie’s claims that OCD makes her act out while drunk caught attention online, with mental health experts weighing in. Now, the International OCD Foundation has responded directly, addressing how Catie’s storyline may misrepresent what OCD really looks like. Keep reading to learn more.

90 Day Fiance: Catie & Josh Address Hate Around Her OCD

Catie and Josh both made videos to address the backlash over her OCD storyline. Many fans felt the 90 Day Fiance used her condition as an excuse to hook up with others. Medical professionals also questioned her claims and her condition on the show. But Catie stands firm that she truly has OCD. She called out the app @treatmyocd for using her name and private details for social media attention and offered discounts to followers.

Catie also claimed producers edited her interviews and only aired select parts. She found it upsetting that an app meant to help OCD patients ended up mocking her struggle instead. Josh defended her just as strongly. He criticized the medical professionals speaking out, calling them unethical for turning someone’s condition into content. Josh said he had no issue with real awareness efforts, only with professionals laughing at Catie and treating her condition like it wasn’t real.

90 Day Fiance: International OCD Foundation Responds To Catie’s OCD Storyline!

The International OCD Foundation has called on TLC to work with real experts when telling stories about OCD. The organization posted about this right after backlash grew over how Catie Norboe’s OCD is portrayed on Season 12 of 90 Day Fiance. Catie has repeatedly linked her OCD to making out with friends and strangers while drunk – a claim many viewers and mental health professionals pushed back on.

In its statement, the foundation explained what OCD actually looks like. It causes unwanted, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors people feel driven to perform to ease distress. About 95% of people do not get the proper diagnosis or treatment. So, when a popular show gets it wrong, it makes life harder for real patients trying to get diagnosed and taken seriously. Considering how much TLC has, the network should portray mental  health as it is.

Handled well, storylines like Catie’s could teach viewers, ease stigma, and help people recognize the signs of OCD in themselves or loved ones. Handled poorly, they risk spreading confusion instead. That’s why the foundation encouraged TLC to bring in clinical experts and people who actually live with OCD and portray it correctly. The organization also said it’s ready to work directly with the network to help spread more awareness.