OCD


OCD is the fourth most common mental illness after depression, addictions and social phobias. Approximately 1 in 50 adults and 1 in 200 children suffer from OCD.

Sufferers of OCD have persistent, recurring and unwanted thoughts about feared situations (obsessions), which they often attempt to fight with mental or physical rituals, e.g. excessive repetition of actions, washing, checking or counting, or agonising ruminations (compulsions).

OCD affects males as frequently as females. Its average age of onset is around 20 years old, but studies have shown that it takes up to 7-8 years for someone to ask for treatment for OCD.

Examples of Obsessions:

  • Fear of shameful behaviour
  • Death or disaster
  • Fear of causing “bad things” to happen
  • Contamination
  • Fear of sexual thoughts
  • Symmetrical arrangements
  • Intrusive thoughts & images
  • Unsatisfactory body image

Examples of Compulsions:

  • Counting
  • Washing / Cleaning
  • Checking (taps, locks etc)
  • Measuring
  • Repeating actions or tasks
  • Confessing imaginary "sins"
  • Hoarding

Treatment

Cardinal Clinic has a specialist OCD Clinic which offers a full assessment and individually tailored treatment plan involving:

Individual Therapy This is generally with a Psychologist and looks to understand the reasons for the OCD and to learn to treat the OCD. The most common form of treatment is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Exposure therapy can also be used if the therapist feels this is appropriate.

Group Therapy A group is a powerful way of helping sufferers, as it helps them to identify that they are not alone, that there are other people with similar issues. Group treatment can also allow patients to learn from other patients to see what has and has not worked for them with regards to treatment.

Support Group Upon leaving the OCD treatment plan, patients can join the OCD support group which encourages them to talk about any problems and successes they have had since leaving the Clinic. It is also a very useful backup for ex-patients as it allows them to feel safe knowing there are other people willing to listen as well as offering them the opportunity to speak with their Psychologist and therapists from the Clinic. Relatives and carers are also encouraged to join the support group, as caring for someone with OCD can be hard and it is important to learn how the carer can best help and support the sufferer.

Children and OCD

Cardinal Clinic has treatment plans for both adults and children and specialist Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists to ensure your child is looked after in the most appropriate and understanding way. Often the Psychologist treating children with OCD will involve the parents to try to ensure the parents do not encourage the OCD whilst the child is at home.

Cardinal Clinic would like to thank OCD UK for their support and hard work helping all OCD sufferers