Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition. It causes unwanted, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours that you feel driven to carry out. It can be distressing and can affect your daily life quite a bit, but treatment can help you keep it under control.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
What causes OCD?
Doctors do not know the exact cause of OCD. Some factors may make a person more likely to develop it, such as genetics, life events, personality traits, and chemical differences in the brain.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis and treatment can genuinely reduce how much OCD affects your daily life, so if you suspect you have it, please talk to your GP.
Many people hesitate to mention their symptoms to a doctor because they feel ashamed or embarrassed, and they may even try to hide the signs from family and friends.
But there's no need to feel that way. OCD is a long-term health condition, much like diabetes or asthma, and having it is not your fault.
Your GP will likely start by asking you a series of questions to check whether OCD is a likely explanation for what you're experiencing. If your answers point to OCD, the next step is to assess how severe your symptoms are. This assessment may be carried out by your GP or by a mental health professional.
Being open and honest during this process really matters. The more accurate and truthful your answers, the more likely you are to receive the treatment that best suits your needs.
If you suspect that someone close to you may have OCD, it helps to:
- gently share your concerns with them
- encourage them to speak to their GP
Treatment
Treatment for OCD
Treatment for OCD depends on the how much the condition is affecting your daily life.
The 2 main treatments are:
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- medication
If your OCD has a severe impact on your daily life, you’ll usually be referred to a specialist mental health service. You’ll likely receive a combination of CBT and a course of antidepressants.
Children with OCD are usually referred to a healthcare professional with experience of treating OCD in children.
It can take several months before a treatment has a noticeable effect.
Try a self-help guide for OCD
You could try our OCD self-help guide for mild to moderate symptoms of OCD.
Further treatment
You might have specialist treatment if you’ve tried other options and your OCD is still not under control.
Most people improve after receiving treatment.
OCD Action have online support groups where you can connect with other people with similar experiences.
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