How it can feel
OCD comes in many forms and it’s not just about excessive checking or cleaning.
You might have OCD if you have thoughts or rituals that:
- Intrude, dominate or take over everyday living;
- Won’t go away;
- Must be completed no matter how long it takes;
- Interfere with your normal activities and functioning.
When to seek help
If you find yourself worrying or obsessing over something to the point where you find it hard to concentrate on other things, or if it’s affecting your everyday life, then it's time to seek help. The good news is that you're not alone, more than 700,000 people live with OCD in the UK and with the right support and help, it can be effectively treated.
Ever heard someone say they're 'so OCD' because they like to keep things neat and tidy?
It's a common myth that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is all about being super clean but in fact, it involves dealing with upsetting, bizarre and sometimes scary thoughts that won't go away.
OCD is a type of anxiety disorder that can lead you to carry out repetitive actions (these are called compulsions) to reduce the worry caused by unwanted thoughts (this is the obsessive bit). You may feel as though not completing these actions will result in harm to yourself or your loved ones.