<![CDATA[Your Journey - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - OCD ]]> https://depressionforums.co.uk/chat2026/ Sat, 19 Sep 2026 19:39:03 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Comfort eating]]> https://depressionforums.co.uk/chat2026/showthread.php?tid=16 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 09:56:31 +0000 Amanda]]> https://depressionforums.co.uk/chat2026/showthread.php?tid=16
My compulsions are checking that the front door is locked 3 times whenever I leave the house and checking everything is locked and secure 5 times every night which didn't prevent me from losing 3 close relatives in 2 years which was the main reason for me doing it, as well as counting the stairs every time I went up and down the stairs (there have always been 13).

I've also been comfort eating recently and that's all I thought it was until I read Pip's post about OCD which kinda got the cogs whirring that maybe it's not comfort eating, maybe it's a part of my OCD?

I've already snacked on a sharing packet of crisps, a full sleeve of biscuits and a multi-pack of 8 chocolate biscuit bars this morning and it's not even 11am yet!  Could it be my OCD after all or is it really comfort eating like I first thought please? 

Huh 
]]>
My compulsions are checking that the front door is locked 3 times whenever I leave the house and checking everything is locked and secure 5 times every night which didn't prevent me from losing 3 close relatives in 2 years which was the main reason for me doing it, as well as counting the stairs every time I went up and down the stairs (there have always been 13).

I've also been comfort eating recently and that's all I thought it was until I read Pip's post about OCD which kinda got the cogs whirring that maybe it's not comfort eating, maybe it's a part of my OCD?

I've already snacked on a sharing packet of crisps, a full sleeve of biscuits and a multi-pack of 8 chocolate biscuit bars this morning and it's not even 11am yet!  Could it be my OCD after all or is it really comfort eating like I first thought please? 

Huh 
]]> <![CDATA[Overview - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)]]> https://depressionforums.co.uk/chat2026/showthread.php?tid=15 Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:02:38 +0000 Pip]]> https://depressionforums.co.uk/chat2026/showthread.php?tid=15 https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditi.../overview/

Overview - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) 

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.

OCD can affect men, women and children. People can start having symptoms from as early as 6 years old, but it often begins around puberty and early adulthood.

OCD can be distressing and significantly interfere with your life, but treatment can help you keep it under control.

Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

If you have OCD, you'll usually experience frequent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.
  • An obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters your mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.
  • A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act that you feel you need to do to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by the obsessive thought.
For example, someone with an obsessive fear of being burgled may feel they need to check all the windows and doors are locked several times before they can leave their house.

Women can sometimes have OCD during pregnancy or after their baby is born. Obsessions may include worrying about harming the baby or not sterilising feeding bottles properly. Compulsions could be things such as repeatedly checking the baby is breathing, and intrusive, unwanted and unpleasant thoughts, images or urges. These can cause anxiety and lead to repetitive behaviours.

If you keep getting these thoughts and they have an effect on your daily life, speak to your GP or health visitor. They can support you or refer you to a specialist mental health team if you need it.

Getting help for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

People with OCD are sometimes reluctant to seek help because they feel ashamed or embarrassed.

OCD is a health condition like any other, so there's nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Having OCD does not mean you're "mad" and it's not your fault you have it.

There are 2 main ways to get help:
If you think a friend or family member may have OCD, try talking to them about your concerns and suggest they get help.

If you’re under 18, or want to get help for someone under 18, find out how to get mental health support for children and young people.

It's unlikely OCD will get better without proper treatment and support.

Treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

There are some effective treatments for OCD that can help reduce the impact it has on your life.

The main treatments are:
  • talking therapy – usually cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you face your fears and obsessive thoughts without "putting them right" through compulsions
  • medicine – usually a type of antidepressant medicine called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which can help by altering the balance of chemicals in your brain

CBT will usually have an effect quite quickly. It can take up to 12 weeks before you notice the effects of treatment with SSRIs, but most people will eventually benefit.

If these treatments do not help, you may be offered:
  • an alternative SSRI
  • a combination of an SSRI and CBT
  • an antidepressant called clomipramine

Some people may be referred to a specialist mental health service for further treatment.

Causes of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

It's not clear what causes OCD. A number of different factors may play a part, including:
  • family history – you're more likely to develop OCD if a family member has it. It may be learned behaviour, or possibly because of your genes
  • differences in the brain – some people with OCD have areas of unusually high activity in their brain or low levels of a chemical called serotonin
  • life events – OCD may be more common in people who have been bullied, abused or neglected, and it sometimes starts after an important life event, such as childbirth or a bereavement
  • personality – neat, meticulous, methodical people with high personal standards may be more likely to develop OCD, also people who are generally quite anxious or have a very strong sense of responsibility for themselves and others

Support groups

Living with OCD can be difficult. In addition to getting medical help, you might find it helps to contact a support group or other people with OCD for information and advice.

The following websites may be useful sources of support:
OCD Action, OCD-UK and TOP UK can also let you know about any local support groups in your area.

Social care and support guide

The social care and support guide has advice about where you can get support if you:
  • need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability
  • care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled, including family members

More in Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) ]]> https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditi.../overview/

Overview - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) 

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.

OCD can affect men, women and children. People can start having symptoms from as early as 6 years old, but it often begins around puberty and early adulthood.

OCD can be distressing and significantly interfere with your life, but treatment can help you keep it under control.

Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

If you have OCD, you'll usually experience frequent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.
  • An obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters your mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.
  • A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act that you feel you need to do to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by the obsessive thought.
For example, someone with an obsessive fear of being burgled may feel they need to check all the windows and doors are locked several times before they can leave their house.

Women can sometimes have OCD during pregnancy or after their baby is born. Obsessions may include worrying about harming the baby or not sterilising feeding bottles properly. Compulsions could be things such as repeatedly checking the baby is breathing, and intrusive, unwanted and unpleasant thoughts, images or urges. These can cause anxiety and lead to repetitive behaviours.

If you keep getting these thoughts and they have an effect on your daily life, speak to your GP or health visitor. They can support you or refer you to a specialist mental health team if you need it.

Getting help for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

People with OCD are sometimes reluctant to seek help because they feel ashamed or embarrassed.

OCD is a health condition like any other, so there's nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Having OCD does not mean you're "mad" and it's not your fault you have it.

There are 2 main ways to get help:
If you think a friend or family member may have OCD, try talking to them about your concerns and suggest they get help.

If you’re under 18, or want to get help for someone under 18, find out how to get mental health support for children and young people.

It's unlikely OCD will get better without proper treatment and support.

Treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

There are some effective treatments for OCD that can help reduce the impact it has on your life.

The main treatments are:
  • talking therapy – usually cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you face your fears and obsessive thoughts without "putting them right" through compulsions
  • medicine – usually a type of antidepressant medicine called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which can help by altering the balance of chemicals in your brain

CBT will usually have an effect quite quickly. It can take up to 12 weeks before you notice the effects of treatment with SSRIs, but most people will eventually benefit.

If these treatments do not help, you may be offered:
  • an alternative SSRI
  • a combination of an SSRI and CBT
  • an antidepressant called clomipramine

Some people may be referred to a specialist mental health service for further treatment.

Causes of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

It's not clear what causes OCD. A number of different factors may play a part, including:
  • family history – you're more likely to develop OCD if a family member has it. It may be learned behaviour, or possibly because of your genes
  • differences in the brain – some people with OCD have areas of unusually high activity in their brain or low levels of a chemical called serotonin
  • life events – OCD may be more common in people who have been bullied, abused or neglected, and it sometimes starts after an important life event, such as childbirth or a bereavement
  • personality – neat, meticulous, methodical people with high personal standards may be more likely to develop OCD, also people who are generally quite anxious or have a very strong sense of responsibility for themselves and others

Support groups

Living with OCD can be difficult. In addition to getting medical help, you might find it helps to contact a support group or other people with OCD for information and advice.

The following websites may be useful sources of support:
OCD Action, OCD-UK and TOP UK can also let you know about any local support groups in your area.

Social care and support guide

The social care and support guide has advice about where you can get support if you:
  • need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability
  • care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled, including family members

More in Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) ]]>