OCD Awareness Week

October 15, 2025

This week marks OCD Awareness Week, an opportunity to increase understanding of a condition that is both common and frequently misunderstood.

What is OCD?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where people experience intrusive, distressing thoughts or urges (obsessions) and feel driven to perform repetitive actions or mental rituals (compulsions) to reduce the anxiety those thoughts cause. The behaviour often temporarily reduces distress but reinforces the cycle, and over time can seriously limit daily life. 

People with OCD may:

  • Have persistent intrusive thoughts about contamination, harm, order, sexual/taboo themes or “not right” feelings.
  • Carry out repetitive behaviours, such as excessive washing, checking, counting, repeating words, constant reassurance-seeking; or mental rituals like praying or neutralising thoughts.
  • Spend a lot of time on the thoughts or rituals, interfering with work, studies, relationships or day-to-day tasks.
  • Recognise the thoughts/behaviours as excessive or unwanted but feel powerless to stop.

Are some people more at risk of developing OCD?

OCD frequently begins in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. Many people develop symptoms by age 18. Women tend to report higher lifetime rates od OCD, though it affects all genders. OCD can affect people of any occupation or background, however stress and life events can worsen symptoms in anyone. 

I have OCD. What can I do to support myself?

While professional treatment is the most effective route, there are strategies that can support recovery and reduce distress:

Learn about OCD. Understanding that intrusive thoughts are a symptom and not a reflection of character helps reduce guilt and fear.

Challenge the OCD cycle. Try to resist or delay compulsions little by little, even for a few seconds. Over time, this weakens OCD’s grip.

Practice mindfulness and acceptance. Techniques such as slow breathing, meditation, or grounding exercises can help you sit with anxiety rather than trying to eliminate it.

Keep a balanced routine. Regular sleep, exercise, and healthy social contact all help regulate mood and stress.

Join a support community. Talking with others who experience OCD can reduce isolation and help share practical coping tips.

When to Reach Out for Help

Reach out for professional help if your intrusive thoughts or rituals are taking up more than an hour a day, they are interfering with relationships, school, work, or daily functioning and you feel ashamed, isolated, or overwhelmed by the thoughts, and self-help strategies aren’t enough to manage your distress.

References

Tel: 01483 590 150
Tel: 01483 590 150
Text: 07909 631623
Text: 07909 631623
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