Target’s ‘OCD: Obsessive Christmas Disorder’ sweater draws criticism online
Target is facing backlash for a fashionable faux-pas over a sweater that some on social media are saying makes fun of a serious mental illness condition.
Here’s the sweater (and tweet) in question that launched the firestorm:
Can’t wait for the rest of @Target disease themed fashion line. Next up: PTSD (People That Shop Disorder) pic.twitter.com/kf0ZBxnnOm
— Allison Raskin (@AllisonRaskin) November 9, 2015
Uh oh! That’s not putting people into the cherry Christmas spirit because it’s trivializing people who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder, which affects more than 3.3 million people in the U.S. The sweater prompted an outcry of people who said they were disgusted or joked that they were surprised that Target doesn’t sell a “North-Polar Depression” sweater, among other comments:
@AllisonRaskin @gillistrill @Target another example of society making fun of mental illness, definitely gets me in a Christmas mood — #2DaysUntilMITAM (@WehTukAhChonce) November 9, 2015
@AllisonRaskin @Target don’t forget ADHD all day holiday disorder
— mana (@ManaSmith86) November 9, 2015
Today at Target I saw a sweater that said “OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder”…why is trivializing a mental disorder so widely accepted? — reverse harlot (@basicposibitch) November 8, 2015
Still, there’s a vocal group from the opposite side that’s telling them to lighten up and it’s only a joke:
Let’s not get super offended by the target #OCD sweater. I have actual OCD. OCD is not a joke, but it’s just a sweater. Calm down ppl.
— Maya McNeal (@mayamaya_papaya) November 11, 2015
As someone with OCD @Target‘s #OCD sweater doesn’t offend me the least bit. — KimB18 (@JustKimB) November 10, 2015
Hey @Target, tell the people who are obsessing about your OCD sweater to take their Zoloft! I have #OCD, and I like the sweater.
— Not Not Austin Mayse (@AustinMayse) November 10, 2015
Target is holding firm, saying in a statement that it “apologizes for any discomfort” it causes but will continue to sell the sweater. Even on Twitter, Target’s guest services account is telling angry shoppers that it will pass along their concerns to the retailer’s merchandising team:
@KarenEborall We never want to offend you with the items we carry. We’ve let the Merchandising team know of your concerns. Have a good day. — AskTarget (@AskTarget) November 11, 2015
Even if Target does pull the sweater, the basic phrase is available on Zazzle and Amazon.
‘Tis the season for outrage, fa la la.
More in Marketing
How brands like Vuori, Rothy’s and Away have adapted to the new DTC landscape
At NRF 2026, a panel of executives laid out the lessons learned from operating DTC brands over the past decade.
As OpenAI gears up to launch ChatGPT ads, marketers try to keep up
Marketers were just getting used to how to show up organically in the platform. Now they have to figure out the next phase: paid.
Avocados From Mexico turns to AI to advertise around the Super Bowl instead of a TV buy
As Super Bowl ad prices climb, Avocados From Mexico is leaning further into an AI activation designed to drive engagement and utility in real time.