Everyone worries about whether they have locked their door or turned the lights off on their car and we often refer to people as being obsessed about things like sport, music or a particular person. There are even rituals that we may perform that have become an accepted part of our culture, eg throwing salt over your left shoulder, or not walking under ladders. When thoughts are repeated, unwanted and cannot be controlled they can result in behaviour that is taken to such an extreme that it affects a person’s everyday life and causes distress. This is called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

OCD is similar to having a phobia because of the anxiety, fear and panic that can be experienced. However, in contrast to a phobia, people with OCD do not have fears that can be easily understood or shared by others. Also, whilst people with phobias can often avoid that which they fear, whether it is cats or spiders, the thoughts that prompt obsessive actions cannot be avoided.

A person with unwanted thoughts may have become afraid of being infected by germs or think they may have harmed themselves or others. To make these thoughts go away, the typical response is to carry out actions that have “rules” attached to them. They may constantly wash their hands until they are raw in order to kill any germs, or may count and touch items over and over again because they fear losing them. The need to carry out the action will often be accompanied by the fear that unless it is it performed correctly something bad will happen. The constant repetition of the action can bring temporary relief, but it is common for the person to experience distress, depression and anxiety.

What can you do?

The symptoms of OCD are very distressing but there are a number of strategies and treatments can help you deal with or overcome OCD.

Diagnosis of OCD is based upon meeting a number of medical criteria, which will also indicate the severity of the obsession.

If are worried about for yourself or a friend:

• Visit your GP who can refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist who will help find a treatment to suit you.

• You may prefer to find your own therapist. Behaviour therapy will help you to control the problem by tackling it in stages to overcome your fears.

• If you are able to, tell your friends and family.

Remember that there is no right or wrong way to feel and that different things work for different people. Often a combination of strategies that include medication, self-help groups or counselling can be the best way to proceed.

• Addiction

For more detailed information about compulsive behaviour try:

• Other web links (MIND)
• About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Obsessive Action (UK National Organisation for people with OCD)
• BBC Web Site (Has self help techniques and a link to a monitoring your thoughts technique)
  

For local sources of help:

• Samaritans