
What is OCD?
Characterised by persistent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) alongside repetitive behaviours (compulsions), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a prevalent mental health condition, which affects millions of individuals across the world.
OCD is often misconstrued as a quirky preference for neatness or a simple obsession for cleanliness, however its impact extends beyond this – far from being a simple eccentricity, OCD can negatively impact quality of life significantly, alongside disrupting everyday life.
A distinguishing, arguably defining feature of OCD is its cycle of obsessions and compulsions, the two key components of the condition.
In the context of OCD, obsessions are defined as intrusive, persistent and/or otherwise unwanted thought patterns, mental images or urges which cause significant psychological anxiety or distress; compulsions are repetitive behaviours or rituals of thinking which are performed in an attempt to reduce the anxiety which results from these obsessions.
This article seeks to explain OCD as a condition and break the stigma which surrounds it, including its causes, symptoms and therapeutic options which can manage OCD effectively, including medication (where indicated) and psychotherapy.
Common Symptoms of OCD:
Typically, OCD symptoms fall into two categories, obsessions and compulsions, each with their own distinct characteristics and presentations.
Obsessions, in this sense, are persistent, unwanted intrusive thoughts, which can include the following:
- A fear of dirt/germs (contamination),
- Unwanted thoughts which are aggressive, or harmful, in nature,
- A psychological need for exactness, or symmetry,
- Intrusive thoughts which relate to religiosity, spirituality and/or sexuality.
Compulsions, conversely, are repetitive actions or thought processes which individuals affected by OCD feel the need to engage in. These can include the following:
- Cleaning or washing hands too frequently/often.
- Repeatedly checking locks, appliances, and/or switches.
- Counting, tapping, or repeating certain words.
- Hoarding items which do not have apparent value, or when there is not enough space to store them.
These behaviours are an attempt by the individual with OCD to reduce their anxiety, but often worsen the obsessive-compulsive cycle, which can make living with OCD overwhelming.
Thus, OCD extends beyond mere behavioural patterns or personality quirks; as such, living with OCD can profoundly affect relationships, straining interactions with family and friends, in addition to impacting educational and occupational life (at school or work, for example, impeding performance and productivity), and ultimately, impacting overall quality of life and wellbeing adversely, which contributes to feelings of frustration, guilt and isolation.
OCD is often comorbid with other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety or stress, which can worsen the challenges of living with both conditions if this is left unaddressed.
Causes of OCD
The exact causes of OCD as a mental health condition remain unclear.
However, researchers suggest that a number of factors (biological, genetic, cognitive and environmental) may contribute to the likelihood of OCD development.
Biologically, imbalances in neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), such as serotonin, have been identified in individuals with OCD in research. In addition, abnormal activity in specific regions of the brain such as the basal ganglia and orbitofrontal cortex, has been identified in clinical presentations of OCD via clinical studies.
Genetically, although no one gene or allele has been implied in the pathogenesis of OCD, individuals with a family history of OCD are more likely to be diagnosed with OCD themselves. This could suggest a hereditary component in being predisposed to OCD amongst certain families.
Cognitively, certain maladaptive beliefs about control and responsibility can in turn lead to obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours reflecting these initial thoughts, which are characteristics of OCD.
Environmental factors which are associated with the emergence of OCD include chronic stress, experiencing traumatic life events, or other significant life changes.
Which therapeutic options are available for OCD?
A number of therapeutic options exist for OCD treatment, including psychotherapy (particularly cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)), medications (such as SSRIs), mindfulness practice/relaxation techniques and support groups.
These therapeutic approaches can significantly ameliorate, or reduce, OCD symptoms, and as a result improve quality of life and wellbeing.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic modality which helps individuals with OCD to recognise their behaviour and thought patterns, and work towards changing them if these are negative or otherwise cause the individual psychological distress.
- As part of CBT for individuals with OCD, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which involves gradual exposure to feared situations and preventing compulsive responses, is recommended for certain individuals with OCD for whom it is deemed clinically appropriate.
- Medications, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (including fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline) can be prescribed to individuals with OCD, to help regulate brain chemistry (increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin), thereby reducing OCD symptoms.
- Individuals with OCD can take up mindfulness practice, alongside other relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation in order to manage their anxiety.
- It can be beneficial for individuals with OCD to connect with others facing similar challenges within a group setting (support groups), in order to connect over shared experiences and support each other in their mental health journey.
Self-help options for managing OCD
Although professional treatment is essential for treating OCD, self-help techniques, alongside attending support groups as mentioned, can empower individuals with OCD to take an active role in managing their condition and living happier, more productive lives.
These include the following:
- Limiting avoidance behaviours, thereby gradually confronting feared situations to reduce the impact of obsessions and obsessive thoughts.
- Self-education (understanding OCD and its underlying mechanisms); this fosters self-compassion and helps to reduce stigma.
- Self-challenging one’s own negative thoughts, by identifying irrational or otherwise negative repetitive thinking patterns, can support reframing them positively for example by the use of CBT techniques.
- Setting realistic goals about your mental health progress and not being self-judgemental for not achieving these goals in the timeframe you would like to have achieved them in
- Above all, prioritising self-care, engaging in activities which promote both your physical and mental wellbeing.
Breaking the Stigma Surrounding OCD
Despite increased awareness, OCD continues to be misunderstood by many people, often being portrayed as mere personality quirks relating to perfectionism, or cleanliness, in the popular imagination.
Misconstruing OCD as eccentricity belies its seriousness as a mental health condition; breaking the stigma of OCD thus requires education, advocacy, and most important of all, empathy.
Common myths about OCD include the following:
- Myth: “OCD is just about being excessively clean, tidy or organised.”
- Fact: OCD is a serious mental health disorder that causes intrusive thoughts and distressing compulsions. not merely a pronounced preference for cleanliness or orderliness.
- Myth: “People with OCD can just stop if they try hard enough.”
- Fact: OCD is not a choice, and overcoming it and its symptoms (intrusive thoughts, obsessive behaviours) often requires professional therapy, medication, and ongoing support.
- Myth 3: “OCD is rare.”
- Fact: It is estimated that 1–2% of the population worldwide have OCD, which makes it a relatively common mental health condition.
Listening without judgement, by offering a safe space for individuals with OCD to share their experiences with others, avoiding labelling, and putting the individual first, not their condition, and encouraging open conversations about OCD and other mental health conditions/issues to break the silence surrounding them, facilitate understanding OCD (and other mental health conditions) from a place of empathy, both on an individual and societal level.
Even though almost everyone experiences some form of intrusive thought from time to time, individuals with OCD can find these thoughts almost impossible to consciously dismiss, which leads to behaviour that can disrupt their daily lives and its quality.




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