OCD, (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), is an anxiety related disorder, that involves an individual experiencing obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions refer to unwanted thoughts, images or urges, such as: fears of people you care about coming to harm, or worries about germs and diseases. These thoughts are often followed by a compulsion, which is an urge to do something, that often is completed over and over again.
Examples of compulsions include: hand washing, counting or repeating phrases in your head. This cycle often starts with an obsessional thought, which causes anxiety. This anxiety then causes an individual to complete a compulsion, which then leads to a reduction in anxiety. This provides short term relief but in the long term, the OCD cycle is maintained.
What Might Help?
- Speak with other people: Attend a support group. You can find details of support groups and online peer support on OCD UK and OCD Action.
- Find ways to relax: Relaxation and mindfulness techniques including breathing techniques, and meditation, may be helpful when managing the anxiety associated with OCD.
- Test your thoughts: If you feel able to, you could find ways to reduce, or, stop your compulsions and see whether the obsessional thought did come true or that it was just a worry.
- Seek professional help: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), can help you to explore alternative ways of thinking, and challenge your beliefs through behavioural experiments.
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