Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. It can be distressing and significantly interfere with your life, but treatment can help you keep it under control.

• An obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters your mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.
• A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act that you feel you need to do to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by the obsessive thought.

People with OCD are sometimes reluctant to seek help because they feel ashamed or embarrassed. OCD is a health condition like any other, so there's nothing to feel ashamed of. It is not your fault.

It's not clear what causes OCD, but a number of factors may play a part. These can include family history, personality traits, and significant life events.

Importantly, OCD can sometimes start after a very stressful or traumatic experience, such as bullying, child abuse, or domestic violence. For women, it can also sometimes begin during pregnancy or after giving birth.

The main treatments are talking therapy (usually Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - CBT) and medicine (usually a type of antidepressant called SSRIs). These treatments can be very effective in helping you manage the condition.

You can see a GP who can refer you to a specialist, or in the UK, you can often refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service.