Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) involves intrusive and obsessional thoughts, often followed by compulsive urges. These obsessions can be overwhelming, and the only way a person can relieve these intrusive thoughts is to repeat an action until they are quelled.

There are several misleading stereotypes surrounding this condition, including the idea that sufferers are very neat and tidy. In reality, OCD is a far more complex illness and can make day-to-day living very difficult for the affected person and those close to them. One of the biggest challenges for family and friends is understanding the illness. It is possible, however, for those with OCD to learn ways to better manage the condition.

On this page we’ll explore the condition in more depth, including common OCD symptoms, what obsessions and compulsions are, and effective treatment options.

OCD symptoms

Obsessive compulsive disorder isn’t a one-size-fits-all illness; it affects every individual differently. There are, however, patterns of behaviour and thoughts that are caused by the condition. These are outlined below to help you understand the core symptoms.

The four key behaviours that contribute to OCD are:

1. Obsession – An intrusive, persistent and uncontrollable thought that enters your mind.
2. Anxiety – You start feeling stressed and anxious due to the obsession.
3. Compulsion – You find a compulsive need to exercise repetitive acts or behaviours because of the stress or anxiety that the obsession has caused.
4. Temporary relief – A temporary relief from the stress or anxiety is gained from the compulsive behaviour. This cycle repeats when the obsession returns, usually soon after.

If you relate to these symptoms and are worried you may be suffering from OCD, a visit to your doctor is recommended for a formal diagnosis.

Obsessions

If you have OCD, your obsessions will most likely revolve around fears, worries, impulses or even images.

These obsessions can be intrusive and at times disturbing, and as a result can affect your day-to-day life depending on their severity. Even when you begin to understand that the obsessions are involuntary, it can be difficult to figure out why you have them.

OCD is an anxiety-based condition and often the intrusive thoughts are rooted in a deep seated fear. For example, if you have intrusive thoughts that you’re going to harm someone, it is likely because it is the thing you are most scared of happening (and therefore will very unlikely do).

The compulsions are employed as a coping mechanism to relieve and ‘prevent’ the thoughts from ever happening. For example, if you think that you might harm a close member of your family, you will demonstrate compulsive behaviour (which your OCD convinces you will stop it from occurring).

It is not the behaviour or action stopping you from acting, but the idea of not carrying it out is very difficult for those with OCD, ‘just in case’.

With OCD, there’s always a thought in the back of your mind. I know that nothing bad will happen if I don’t do my rituals, but I have to do them - just in case.

You may be aware that your worries and fears are irrational, but you will be unable to control them. Additionally, the more you try to fight them, the more prominent they become.

Compulsions

A compulsion is a natural response to the feeling of anxiety or discomfort that derives from an obsessive thought, impulse or fear. Examples include a repetitive set of mental actions (such as counting, checking a feeling/sensation or repeating a phrase), physical behaviours or actions.

Compulsive behaviours are very structured - most commonly set to a routine in an attempt to prevent the apparent danger from taking place. You might feel a responsibility to carry out certain actions to repress the threat, as you feel that it will harm yourself or a loved one. Sadly the relief gained from this is only temporary. The cycle will then repeat.

For example, people who do not suffer from OCD may switch off a light and think nothing more of it. Someone with OCD symptoms surrounding checking may feel the need to switch the light on and off a certain number of times as their OCD has convinced them this will ensure the house doesn't catch fire.

These compulsions are categorised as covert (a mental act) or overt (observable by others). A covert compulsion may be mental counting to neutralise a disturbing and unwelcome image. An overt compulsion is physical, for example, washing, or checking things repeatedly to quell the obsession.

For some, the obsessions are more prominent than the compulsions. If the compulsions are covert (i.e. cannot be noticed externally) someone may say they have ‘Pure O’.

OCD in children

While every case is unique, many people who have OCD say their symptoms began in childhood. Children with OCD may worry that things aren't in the 'right order', they may be concerned about losing possessions or have a compulsion to collect things.

When asked why they carry out certain rituals, they may have a tough time explaining why, saying something along the lines of 'just because'. OCD in children can cause low self-esteem and frustration.

It all started when I was 11 years old. I began picking up small rituals that I felt compelled to do for no real reason. I was stepping on drains a certain number of times, touching certain objects twice and avoiding many situations in case I couldn't complete my compulsions.

If you are worried your child may have OCD, going to your doctor to receive a formal diagnosis is the first step. There are many professionals available who specialise in counselling children and are able to help them discuss and manage their symptoms in an easy to understand way.

Types of OCD

Most cases of obsessive compulsive disorder fall under four main categories, even though there are many strains which fall under a number of sub-categories.

The four main areas are checking, hoarding, contamination and intrusive thoughts/ruminations.

Checking

The types of things that people with obsessive compulsive disorder may feel the need to check in order to prevent damage include:

• water taps (fear of flood damage to the house and contents)

• lights (fear of causing an electrical fire)

• car, door and window locks (fear of car/household items getting stolen)

• appliances (fear of the house burning down)

• gas appliances/canisters (fear of explosions)

• wallet, purse or handbag (fear of losing money, personal documents or bank cards)

• re-reading emails, postcards, letters (fear of mistakes or writing something offensive)

The amount of checking that is needed to ‘neutralise’ the obsession ranges from repeating it a few times to hundreds of times, which can take hours. This repetitive checking can seriously affect an individual’s career and personal relationships.

Hoarding

Hoarding refers to the compulsion to accumulate items. It is considered to be a compulsive disorder symptom when the hoarding of items interrupts day-to-day life; for example cluttering up the bedroom so there is nowhere to sleep, or if the gathering of objects has a detrimental effect of the individual's social life or career.  

Contamination

This is the obsessive fear that something needs to be cleaned or washed out of fear of contamination, and it can arise in a number of different situations that may make an OCD sufferer feel uncomfortable:

• wearing clothes (shaking them to remove bugs, dead skin etc.)

• being in a crowd (fear of catching a disease from other people)

• using toilets (fear of contracting germs and illnesses from other people)

• shaking hands (fear of catching an illness from other people)

• touching door handles, banisters etc. (fear of contracting germs and illness from other people)

Ruminations

In the case of obsessive compulsive disorder, ruminations refer to a prolonged phase of thinking about a theme or a question that can often have a religious or philosophical context. An example could be the fixation on what happens after death. Sufferers might visualise heaven, hell, purgatory and what other philosophers and religious leaders have said on the subject.

Intrusive thoughts

These are obsessional, prolonged thoughts that are often troubling in nature. Intrusive thoughts can include sexual or violent harm to loved ones. However, people with OCD are usually the least likely to act on them as they find them so repugnant in nature.

Other common intrusive thoughts include those surrounding relationships, sex and religion.

Causes of OCD

The overall cause of this anxiety disorder is unknown, but there are multiple related factors that might increase the chances of obsessive compulsive disorder developing.

Stress – Stressful situations and traumatic life events can trigger OCD.

Genes – In some cases OCD is thought to be inherited; passed down from one generation to the next.

Life changing scenarios – OCD tendencies can occur when increased responsibility gets too much. A birth of a child, a death of a loved one or a new job are the kind of scenarios that change one’s life enough to develop obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms.

Personality – For meticulously organised people who are already methodically cataloguing their life possessions, symptoms of OCD might go unnoticed. These symptoms can get out of hand - if it goes too far, they can develop the full anxiety disorder and should seek help.

Biological changes – Small changes to the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain such as serotonin might play a role in triggering OCD. This is one of the reasons why medication is thought to help sufferers better manage their condition.

Ways of thinking – Depending on the individual’s moral outlook on life, thoughts like ‘what would happen if I stepped in front of that train?’ or ‘I might harm my partner’ are usually quickly dismissed. But if someone has an extremely high sense of responsibility and morality, they might feel that it’s their fault these involuntary thoughts come into their head, which makes the thoughts more likely to return.

OCD treatment

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a treatable condition, and counselling, in particular, is advised for helping sufferers to take back some control over their OCD symptoms. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in particular is recommended.

CBT for OCD

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a talking therapy that aims to help overcome problems by recognising and changing the way an individual thinks and behaves.

The therapy looks to teach the person that it isn’t the thoughts that are the major problem; it’s what the individual makes of those thoughts and how they act on them. 

Exposure and response prevention (ERP)

Exposure and response prevention is a type of CBT that can help stop anxieties and behaviours from getting stronger. The longer you are exposed to your fear, or stressful situation, over time you become used to the setting and the need to perform compulsive actions is naturally neutralised.

Medication

Antidepressants can help relieve anxiety and support those with OCD. Speaking to your doctor about this is advised.

Following the advice of your counsellor/doctor and discovering what works for you is key. Know that support is available and that you can manage your condition and live a fulfilling, happy life. 

Over the years, having treatment and pushing myself has helped more than anything. Knowing that you are more than a label changes things.