Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder in which people have obsessions, which are recurring, unwanted and unpleasant thoughts, ideas, urges, or images. To get rid of the thoughts, people with OCD feel driven to do something repetitively (i.e., perform a compulsion, also called a ritual). The obsessions and compulsions -- such as hand washing/cleaning, checking on things, and mental acts like counting -- are problematic. They are time consuming (for example, take more than an hour a day), cause intense emotional distress, or significantly interfere with a person’s daily activities such as social interactions.
Myths vs facts about OCD
Myth - Loving your things neat and tidy, or in a certain order makes you "so OCD!"
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Fact - The person who cleans their house because having a tidy home brings them joy does not have OCD. It’s only OCD if it causes you distress. If someone spends hours cleaning their house every day because they fear something terrible will happen if they don’t, then that would be OCD.
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Myth - Everyone has a little bit of OCD
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Fact - It is not uncommon to hear people casually say, “I’m a little OCD,” when referring to their personal preferences or habits. OCD is not merely about having particular preferences or being organised and detail-oriented. It is a complex mental health disorder characterised by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) that significantly impact a person’s life. These obsessions and compulsions can consume a significant amount of time, cause distress, and interfere with daily functioning.​
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Myth - Compulsions are always physical actions
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Fact - People assume compulsions always involve physical behaviours like hand-washing or checking doors, but for many, compulsions happen entirely in the mind —constantly reviewing past memories, mentally arguing with intrusive thoughts, or endlessly seeking reassurance.
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Myth - OCD is rare and doesn't affect many people
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Fact - It is estimated there are three quarters of a million people living with OCD in the UK, and the condition affects as many as 12 in every 1,000 people from young children to adults, regardless of gender.​
It usually begins in the teen or young adult years.​​
Myth - It would be really obvious if someone had OCD because they would always be avoiding touching things and checking that they turned electrical items off
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Fact - Although some types of OCD are easily visible because of physical symptoms, many are not. OCD tends to be a very secretive disorder. The average time taken to access help varies depending on what source you check, but most put it at over 10 years.
Myth - OCD isn't particularly serious, it's just a minor personality quirk or preference
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Fact - OCD is a diagnosable mental health condition and not a personality quirk or character trait. Sufferers of OCD may become housebound and cease to be able to live anything resembling a normal life. Some individuals can spend every waking moment embroiled in mental routines. Tragically, some people with OCD will end up attempting or dying from suicide because of how overwhelmed it can make them feel.​
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Myth - There’s no way to get better from OCD
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Fact - While there is no official “cure” for OCD, treatment methods like exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy or a specialized form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you effectively manage its symptoms, and reduce the impact on your daily life.
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Myth - We can joke about OCD
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Fact - Shame is a common emotion experienced by individuals with OCD. Every time we make a joke about what we "think" the condition is, it can potentially stall people from admitting they have a problem and seeking help. ​
How can this workshop support someone struggling with OCD?
Managing OCD is an ongoing process. One may find that there are times where things feel manageable and other times where it's much harder.
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During this workshop we will begin with the psychoeducation of OCD. ​ As with most mental health conditions, understanding how your brain is reacting can be a good starting point in recovery.
We will explore ways to​ try to accept intrusive thoughts, not to attach meaning to every thought and feeling, accept uncertainty, identify and manage your compulsions, how to resist, delay or reduce compulsions, distraction techniques, and how to take care of yourself (relaxation, mindfulness, diet, sleep, exercise) and develop a kinder and more compassionate inner voice.​
“Living with OCD is like walking through a minefield every day. You never know which thoughts or triggers will set off an explosion of anxiety.”
Sarah Roberts