Shoppers have accused retailer Target of trivializing mental illness by stocking holiday sweaters with the slogan ‘OCD – Obsessive Christmas Disorder’.

The red garments are being sold as part of their ‘ugly sweaters’ range, and have been on sale in stores and online.

But some customers have hit out at the sweaters, saying they make fun of obsessive compulsive disorder, which can causes great distress to sufferers.

It is estimated that 2.2million Americans suffer from the condition, which is characterized by having certain thoughts or rituals that get in the way of daily life.

And many suffers took to Twitter to vent their fury at Target over the sweater.

Logan Holman wrote: ‘@Target please discontinue the OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder sweater bc it’s not cute or funny or festive.’ (sic)

Maya Albright said: ‘@Target your Christmas sweater line about OCD is so offensive making fun of actual mental health problems isn’t funny.’

Sinister Claw tweeted: ‘I saw a shirt saying OCD Obsessive Christmas Disorder at your store and how about we don’t make light of a thing people suffer from.’