Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCD is a common, chronic and disabling disorder characterised by obsessions and/or compulsions. 

• Obsessions are recurrent, intrusive and distressing thoughts, images or impulses.
  
• Compulsions are repetitive, seemingly purposeful behaviours that a person feels driven to perform.

Obsessions are usually unpleasant and increase the sufferer’s anxiety, whereas carrying out compulsions reduces anxiety.  Resisting an obsession, by avoiding the compulsion results in increased anxiety.

The obsessions and compulsions cause distress to patients and their families, are time-consuming and interfere with daily routine and social and occupational activities.

It means that you have to repeat a certain action, like a ritual or routine, and often repeat it over and over again.  You might for example wash yourself again and again, or you might count to a given number, or think of certain long strings of words or sentences, in order to calm yourself down. Or perhaps you just have to carry out time-consuming rituals such as walking to the front door many times a day to check that the door is locked.

If you are suffering from OCD, effective treatment with medicine and psychotherapy is often possible.