OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours and can affect anyone at any age, more usually during early adulthood. Sometimes OCD can significantly interfere with your life and cause distress, however there are a range of treatments to help you manage it.

NHS

1. Obsession – where an unwanted, intrusive and often distressing thought, image or urge repeatedly enters your mind. The obsession provokes a feeling of intense anxiety or distress.
2. Compulsion – repetitive behaviours or mental acts that you feel driven to perform as a result of the anxiety and distress caused by the obsession.
3. Temporary relief – the compulsive behaviour temporarily relieves the anxiety, but the obsession and anxiety soon returns, causing the cycle to begin again.