![]() If these treatments aren't effective or your condition is particularly severe, you may need to be referred to a specialist mental health service for treatment. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – this medication can help reduce your symptoms by altering the balance of chemicals in your brain.cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – involving a therapy known as graded exposure with response prevention (ERP), which encourages you to face your fear and let the obsessive thoughts occur without "neutralising" them with compulsions. ![]() Many people will eventually be cured of their OCD, or their symptoms will at least be reduced enough that they can enjoy a good quality of life. With treatment, the outlook for OCD is good. If your GP suspects OCD, you may need to be referred to a specialist for an assessment and appropriate treatment. Initially, they will probably ask a number of questions about your symptoms and how they affect you. You should visit your GP if you think you may have OCD. Seeking help is important because it is unlikely your symptoms will improve if left untreated, and they may get worse. It is a long-term health condition like diabetes or asthma, and it is not your fault you have it. However, if you have OCD, there is nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. People with OCD are often reluctant to seek help because they feel ashamed or embarrassed. The condition typically first starts to significantly interfere with a person's life during early adulthood, although problems can develop at any age. It's estimated around 12 in every 1,000 people in the UK are affected by the condition. Serotonin is a chemical the brain uses to transmit information from one brain cell to another. Studies have also shown people with OCD have an imbalance of serotonin in their brain. In some cases the condition may run in families, and may be linked to certain inherited genes that affect the brain's development.īrain imaging studies have shown the brains of some people with OCD can be different from the brains of people who do not have the condition.įor example, there may be increased activity in certain areas of the brain, particularly those that deal with strong emotions and the responses to them. It's not clear exactly what causes OCD, although a number of factors have been suggested. ![]() ![]() Some people with OCD may spend an hour or so a day engaged in obsessive-compulsive thinking and behaviour, but for others the condition can completely take over their life. OCD symptoms can range from mild to severe. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive activity.Īn obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters a person's mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.Ī compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act that someone feels they need to carry out to try to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by the obsessive thought.įor example, someone with a fear of their house being burgled may feel they need to check all the windows and doors are locked several times before they can leave the house.
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