What is OCD?
Nearly everyone has occasionally experienced brief runs of repetitive thoughts, urges, or impulses (like having to check the door is locked several times or having doubts that they have washed their hands thoroughly enough after handling something dirty). Usually, these can be dispelled easily and so cause little discomfort. For some people, however, these kinds of worries really take a hold, and they find that they get stuck in cycles of doing something over and over again, like washing their hands, counting up to a certain number, or checking something several times to be sure they've done it right. When these kinds of behaviours become a persistent problem and interfere with the person's life, it is known as obsessive-compulsive disorder (or OCD, for short).
OCD is a form of anxiety disorder, which can vary from very mild to severe, and can take many different and novel forms. Some people are bothered by upsetting thoughts that they can't get rid of no matter how hard they try; other people feel compelled to wash or to check things, even though logically they know there is no need. When people are troubled by their obsessional problems they can experience very high levels of anxiety and distress, and can find the problem takes up a lot of their time and attention. It can interfere with, or even completely disrupt, a person's ability to work, their personal relationships and almost every aspect of their life.
The kinds of obsession that people may experience include:
Nearly everyone has occasionally experienced brief runs of repetitive thoughts, urges, or impulses (like having to check the door is locked several times or having doubts that they have washed their hands thoroughly enough after handling something dirty). Usually, these can be dispelled easily and so cause little discomfort. For some people, however, these kinds of worries really take a hold, and they find that they get stuck in cycles of doing something over and over again, like washing their hands, counting up to a certain number, or checking something several times to be sure they've done it right. When these kinds of behaviours become a persistent problem and interfere with the person's life, it is known as obsessive-compulsive disorder (or OCD, for short).
OCD is a form of anxiety disorder, which can vary from very mild to severe, and can take many different and novel forms. Some people are bothered by upsetting thoughts that they can't get rid of no matter how hard they try; other people feel compelled to wash or to check things, even though logically they know there is no need. When people are troubled by their obsessional problems they can experience very high levels of anxiety and distress, and can find the problem takes up a lot of their time and attention. It can interfere with, or even completely disrupt, a person's ability to work, their personal relationships and almost every aspect of their life.
The kinds of obsession that people may experience include:
- * thoughts about contamination from germs, disease, dirt or radiation
* thoughts of causing danger or harm by leaving something crucial undone
* ideas about harming themselves or someone they care about or about other acts of violence
* repeated blasphemous thoughts
* disturbing sexual images.
- * excessive handwashing or washing clothes or objects
* repetitive checking (that lights are turned off or that doors are locked, for example)
* touching various objects in a specific order or performing particular actions a set number of times
* arranging objects or carrying out activities in a particular set way
* hoarding useless possessions.
- * Try to persuade your friend or relative who has the condition to seek help early
* Get support for yourself. It is stressful if you are close to someone with obsessional-compulsive disorder.
* Find out all you can about the condition so that you know how and when to encourage the person and when to resist whatever they are asking of you.
* Reassure the person that they are not alone and they are not going 'mad'. Many people are affected by this disorder and help is available.