Target Under Fire For ‘Offensive’ Christmas Sweater (Photo)

Target has come under fire for a Christmas sweater that some say mocks mental illness.

According to USA Today, Target has stirred up controversy by selling a red, green, and white sweater that reads, “OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder.” The sweater was being sold at the store for $22.40. 

After the sweater went on sale, customers criticized the store online, accusing the chain of making light of mental illness by poking fun at OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Many took to social media to discuss the issue.

“Hey @Target this sweater isn’t cute or funny,” one user tweeted. “OCD is a serious mental illness that shouldn’t be mocked.”

“Today at Target I saw a sweater that said ‘OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder,” another customer wrote on Twitter. “Why is trivializing a mental disorder so widely accepted?”

Not everybody was quite as offended, however. One Twitter user who claims to have OCD says that they were not bothered by the sweater.

“As someone with OCD @Target’s #OCD sweater doesn’t offend me the least bit.”

Another user who says they suffer from the disorder joked about the controversy.

“As someone who has OCD I don’t see any reason to be angry about @Target’s ‘offensive’ sweater – it’s perfectly even!”

Despite the controversy, Target says they do not have plans to pull the sweater from their shelves.

“We never want to disappoint our guests and we apologize for any discomfort,” Target spokeswoman Jessica Carlson said in a statement. “We currently do not have plans to remove this sweater.”

According to Fortune, Carlson also acknowledged that the phrase “Obsessive Christmas Disorder” has been around for some time. Online retailer sells a sweatshirt that reads, “I Have OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder.” The phrase also appears on clothing from retailers such as CafePress, Skreened, and Zazzle.

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that approximately 2.2 million adults in America suffer from OCD.

Readers commented on the story on Newsiosity’s Facebook page to share their thoughts on the issue.

“People need to grow up and stop being offended by everything!!” One reader commented. “You don’t like the sweater… don’t buy it.”

“Many people need to grow up and stop looking for things to offend them. If they are offended then get over it,” another user wrote. “Many times life is offensive, grow up deal with it without crying and trying to make people do only what you want.”

Sources: USA Today, Fortune, Newsiosity/Facebook / Photo Credit: KARE via USA Today