OCD
- Mar 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 30
What is OCD?
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder known commonly as OCD, is a mental condition which is closely related to anxiety. It involves obsessions, which are unwanted thoughts, images or urges that keep popping into our mind and make you feel anxious, upset and uncomfortable. These feelings can create compulsions which are actions like checking, washing or repeating things, or mental rituals, like counting or repeating words in your head. OCD is not just about wanting things to be organised - it can be really distressing and can start to affect everyday life, but support and treatment can help.
The difference between obsessions & compulsions
Obsessions - What are they?
Fear of germs, contamination, worriyng if something is dirty or unclean
Fear of causing harm to someone or that you have already caused harm
Worrying that something bad is going to happen
Having violent or harmful thoughts
Feeling a strong need for symmetry
Doubting the safety of things
Needing things to feel 'just right' or in 'order'
Compulsions - What are they?
Washing and cleaning repeatedly
Repeating action, doing something multiple times until it feels right
Repeatedly checking things, whether you have locked the door or turned switches off
Arranging objects until they are 'just right'
Mental rituals, such as counting in your head
Asking for reassurance from other people
How OCD can affect you life
OCD can affect your life in many different ways, it is important to recognise how that might happen.
School or College can feel harder
OCD can make it difficult to concentrate, finsih work, get to lessons on time, or even attend school or college if thoughts and rituals start taking over. OCD in young people can lead to lateness, distraction, repeated checking of work and school refusal.
It can take up a lot of our time
Obsessions and compulsions can become so repetitive that they take over a big part of our day, leaving less time forrest, hobbies and normal routines. Obsessions and compulsions can eat through lots of our day, making us late and put us behind with work causing stress and anxiety
Sleep and rest can be affected
If your mind is full of worries, doubts or rituals, it may be harder to switch off and relax. Lack of sleep and down time can affect our concentration and mood.
Friendships and relationships
OCD can make it hard to spend time with other people, socialise and explain what is going on, especially if you feel embarrassed or ashamed. This can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation.
It can affect confidence and emotions
Having OCD can leave you feeling scared, ashamed, guilty or exhausted, which can really knock confidence and make day to day things seem overwhelming. Feeling these things can affect your self esteem and ability to maintain or form relationships.
Coping with OCD
Speak out
Talking about your feelings is an important first step to getting support and starting to feel better. It can feel hard to put what you are feeling in to words, and you might worry about how someone will respond. That is completely understandable. But the people who care about you will usually want to help, even if they do not fully understand what you are going through straight away.
It can also help to tell a person what support would feel useful for you. You might want someone to simply listen, help you feel calmer, or distract you when things feel overwhelming. And if you are not sure what you need, that is ok as well. Sometimes just saying things out loud and not carrying it all on your own can make a real difference.
Develop strategies
Developing your own strategies can really help you deal with the affects of obsessions and compulsions, here is a list of some helpful things you can do to manage your OCD.
What a film, TV show or listen to music
Go for a walk outside, exercise, ride a bike or go for a run.
Do something that engages your hands like drawing, painting or crafts
Speaking with a friend via phone or text
Writing down how you are feeling in a journal or diary
Grounding techniques can really help deal with OCD. Click Here for more information on grounding techniques.
Find a group or seek professional help
If you are finding your OCD is affecting your everyday life, making learning difficult or causing you significant distress, it is important to reach out for professional support. More support for OCD is available from OCD Action or OCD-UK. If in any doubt, please contact you GP who will be able to offer further help.
Getting help with OCD
If OCD is overwhelming you and you are struggling with day-to-day it is best to get in touch with you GP. Other forms of help are available, find them Here.
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