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5 Things You Must Know About OCD

1. The first of the 5 things you must know about is that obsessions are repetitive involuntary urges, thoughts, needs or impulses that you cannot stop or control. These obsessive thoughts, impulses or urges most times are not only distracting but extremely disturbing and result in great anxiety in the person with the obsession. The behaviour and ritual that the person feels they have to carry out over and over are compulsions. Obsessions and compulsions go hand in hand. Compulsion is carried out in the hope to apease the obsession, however satisfaction or relief is never reached or lasting. Compulsive behaviour causes anxiety due to the fact that compulsion becomes more and more demanding, time-consuming, challenging and severe. Having obsessive or compulsive thoughts does not automatically put you in the category of having - the behaviour needs to cause extreme anxiety, interfere in your normal day to day life and consume most of your time.

2. Secondly another one of the 5 things you must know about is to be able to recognise the symptoms. The main 5 categories are: hoarders, doubters, washers, counters and checkers. From the word hoarder we can summise it is a fear of parting with any possessions or constantly purchasing and/or collecting possessions that one will not give away, throw away, sell or discard in any way. An obsessive compulsive doubter fears imperfection of any kind whether on person, in the home, at work or surrounds and is constantly in doubt that things are okay. A 'washer' is constantly cleaning, washing hands, sterilsing and has an obsessive fear of dirt and contamination. Arrangers or counters need everything around them to be in perfect symmetrical order and can sometimes have strong feelings of superstition regarding specific situations, colours, numbers or words. Checkers are perpetually in doubt of themselves and are in fear the action or non-action could be a danger to either themself or others eg leave home and go back a number of times to 'check' the iron is switched off, the door is locked, the taps are switched off, the stove is not burning etc etc.

3. The third of the 5 things you must know about is to know that help is out there and you need to be able to recognise that the thoughts, urges and repetitive behaviour is that of obsessive compulsive disorder. There is no known single reason or cause for . Being able to realise, be diagnosed, accept the diagnoses and then acknowledge the treatment is a huge step going forward. With the help of a trained therapist treatment can be successful. Treatment recommended by a psychiatrist, treatment with medication, in group therapy, cognitive therapy and/or self-help within the family environment are some of the options.

4. Forthly another one of the 5 things you must know about is accept the path of therapy you decide on and ACT on it. People who have often have or have had other anxiety related mental illnesses like depression, phobias, ADHD or even eating disorders. It is very important to be totally honest and to open up when speaking to your medical practitioner as diagnosing can become difficult if the practitioner is not fully aware of all the conditions even if you find some of the symptoms embarrassing.

5. Finally the last of the 5 things you must know about is that some research shows it could be due to low serotonin levels in the brain. Also known as the 'happy' chemical and many patients function better when on medication that increase the serotonin in their brain. However it needs to be remembered that is not selective but can happen to anyone of any color, creed or sex. Is not a 'shame', is treatable and should not be hidden. Talk about it, acknowlede your condition, accept it for what it is - a condition, accept help and treatment for it and taking action is the beginning of the end to your .