Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Short Definition:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) features:

Obsessions: are patterns of unwanted and unpleasant thoughts and fears, images or urges that repeatedly enters your mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.
Compulsions: are repetitive behaviours or mental act that you feel you need to do temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by obsessive thoughts.
These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress. OCD is a common mental health condition.

Recognising OCD:
• Checking, checking and checking again
• Rituals: repeating sequences over and over.
• Intrusive thoughts, disgust or unease
• Hoarding
• Everything precisely in the right order: Organisation
• Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts or impulses that seem to “pop up” repeatedly in the mind.
• Fear of being contaminated by germs or dirt or contaminating others.

Possible Triggers:
• Anxiety
• Stressful situations
• Trauma
• Puberty

Ms Hooton’s Useful Tips:

• Ask for help and support
• Try and delay these behaviours to another time preferably later in the day.
• Change a part of your ritual.
• Add a consequence to your ritual.
• Choose not to do the ritual
• Treatment and support can help you keep it in control.

Videos

Useful Links & Further Resources:

Ask for help and support. Talk to a staff member or parent/carer about how you are feeling

nhs.uk

ocduk.org

youngminds.org.uk