Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by the experience of recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges or images that are perceived as intrusive and unwanted (obsessions). These intrusions are difficult or impossible to ignore due to what the individual believes about their thoughts.
People with OCD develop their own appraisals of these thoughts, that in some way the thoughts signal danger (e.g., that something bad is going to happen) or say something bad about the person experiencing them (e.g., that they are dangerous, irresponsible, or bad in some way), which results in anxiety and distress.
Therefore, they believe they must do something to reduce the likelihood of something bad happening, engaging in repetitive behaviours, mental acts, or excessive avoidance designed to reduce or prevent the feared consequences (compulsions).
Many people who suffer with OCD recognise that these behaviours are excessive but often there is such doubt, uncertainty and perceived risk associated with reducing routines that they feel compelled to repeat them to completion.
For some individuals with OCD, including some young people, some people who are neurodivergent, or people who have lived with OCD for a long time, intrusive thoughts may not be so clearly articulated and the reason for engaging in compulsive routines may be described as an urge to make things feel right.
At greater levels of severity, OCD can have a significant impact on the individual and their families, resulting in an inability to achieve day to day tasks, or live independently.
People who experience OCD may also experience depression and/or other anxiety disorders. There are also high rates of co-morbidity with repetitive disorders including Tics, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
OCD is estimated to affect between 1 and 4% of the population.
