OCD: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

by Esha Shahid

Daniel Radcliffe has suffered OCD

Depression and anxiety are the most common and understood mental illnesses. If you ask anyone what depression is, most people would be able to explain it is a mental illness which can lead to suicide and is not just ‘being sad’. Likewise, most people would be able to explain what anxiety is. This could be because many of us have friends or family or even have experience of these illnesses. Many people would sympathise with those who suffer from these illnesses, but what about the less spoken mental illnesses like OCD, schizophrenia, mania and bipolar disorder?  Society generally focuses on the education of depression and anxiety, however there are 297 published disorders in the DSM. 

I will briefly talk about what OCD is, the third most common illness. OCD stands for obsessive compulsive disorder and it is not just ‘being clean’. OCD affects 1.2% of people in the UK and can appear at any age. OCD is made up of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are displayed in anxious repetitive thoughts such as worrying your hand has lots of germs while compulsions are acts to relieve the anxiety from the obsessions like washing your hands again and again. 

The vicious cycle of OCD:

1. Obsessive thoughts 
2.  Anxiety
3. Compulsive behaviour 
4. Temporary relief 

This cycle repeats, and for some OCD sufferers this can lead to them not being able to carry out activities part of everyday life e.g. being able to hold a job.

Many people may not seek help because some may have niche obsessions which aren’t the common ones like being afraid of germs. These people may feel too embarrassed to even talk to a doctor about their issues as they may fear they could be ridiculed. Hence why OCD UK believes it is undiagnosable because many people are reluctant.

How to help someone who you think could have OCD or does have OCD:

• Don’t shy away from conversation. Bring up tough topics if you are comfortable enough with them, as they could feel too embarrassed to talk about their OCD first.
• Don’t judge. It can be upsetting to hear about their struggles but make it clear you support them regardless. This will make it more likely they will share more thoughts and feelings with you.
• Find out as much as you can about OCD to develop a better understanding of what they are going through.

Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org if you have any questions about obsessive-compulsive disorder, or finding support and resources

Samaritans' new free helpline number is 116 123