Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.
Who is affected by OCD?
Men, Women and children are affected by OCD.
When can you start with OCD symptoms?
- People can start having symptoms from 6 years old however often symptoms begin around puberty and adulthood.
Symptoms of OCD
- Obsessive thoughts – People with OCD have unwanted and unpleasant thoughts/images or urges leaving people to feel uncomfortable.
- Compulsive behaviour – Is a repetitive action that somebody with OCD will have no control brought on by unwanted obsessive thoughts.
Examples: An example of somebody living with OCD would be a fear of somebody entering the home and the outcome of this would be constantly having to check the doors and windows multiple times this can be very overwhelming, tiring and time consuming.
Another example of OCD can be a person who cleans impulsively due to being fearful of contamination, they have an overwhelming need to repeatedly clean themselves their home and their environment.
OCD cleaning and interfere with work, school and personal relationships and can cause financial stress.
Where to get help
Local and Nation websites:
OCD UK
Contact number: 01332588112
Email address: support@ocduk.org
- OCD-UK | A national OCD charity, run by, and for people with lived experience of OCD (ocduk.org)
- OCD Support Groups – Remotely through Zoom | OCD-UK (ocduk.org)
- Big Life Group talking therapies – self refer NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Talking Therapies - The Big Life group – contact number 01706619020
- Mind UK - Symptoms of OCD - Mind
- Speak to your GP – Your GP will ask about your symptoms and can refer you your local service for support.
Treatments for OCD
There are some effective treatments for OCD that can help reduce the impact it has on your life.
The main treatments are:
- talking therapy – usually cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you face your fears and obsessive thoughts without "putting them right" through compulsions
- medicine – usually a type of antidepressant medicine called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which can help by altering the balance of chemicals in your brain
CBT will usually have an effect quite quickly. It can take up to 12 weeks before you notice the effects of treatment with SSRIs, but most people will eventually benefit.
If these treatments do not help, you may be offered:
- an alternative SSRI
- a combination of an SSRI and CBT
- an antidepressant called clomipramine.
Some people may be referred to a specialist mental health service for further treatment.