WHAT IS OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)?
- Having obsessions or compulsions to carry out rituals or actions
- Having intrusive thoughts or worries that you can’t get rid of
- OCD is not simply liking things to be neat, organised or clean, it’s a common mental health condition
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD is a mental health condition characterised by obsessions and/or compulsions that affect everyday life. Obsessions can range from fear of germs, to violent thoughts about yourself or other people, while compulsions are actions or rituals carried out over and over again to try to fix or solve a worry or anxiety.
OCD can affect anybody at any time, but symptoms tend to build up gradually. Often people don’t notice them until they begin to affect how they go about their daily lives. People struggling with OCD often experience severe anxiety due to obsessive or compulsive thoughts. To help reduce the anxiety caused by these thoughts, those with OCD will often develop complicated rituals.
If you’re struggling with obsessive, compulsive or intrusive thoughts, you should talk to someone. The CALM helpline is open from 5pm to midnight everyday to chat about whatever you’re going through, or you can contact OCD UK for more information and guidance.