Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects 2 - 3% of the population - more than 500,000 Australians. OCD has been recognised as the fourth most common psychiatric disorder, after phobias, substance abuse and major depression. OCD usually begins in late childhood or early adolescence.
People with OCD experience recurrent and persistent thoughts, images or impulses that are intrusive and unwanted (obsessions), and perform repetitive and ritualistic behaviours that are excessive, time consuming and distressing (compulsions). Common obsessions include fears of contamination and fears of harm to self or others. Common compulsions include excessive handwashing, showering, checking and repeating rituals. These compulsions and obsessions may take up many hours of a person's day. OCD can cause significant interference in family and social relationships, and daily routines, and may intrude into every activity and action.
Many people with OCD experience intense fears of something terrible happening to themselves or others, they have constant doubts about their behaviour, and frequently seek reassurance from others. Prior to identification and treatment of the disorder, families may become deeply involved in the sufferer's rituals, causing significant distress and disruption to all members of the family [information for families].
People with OCD are typically aware of the irrationality and excessive nature of their compulsive behaviours and obsessive thoughts. They feel unable to control the obsessions or effectively limit their intrusiveness. Compulsions mostly develop into highly complex rituals, which cause high levels of frustration and anxiety for the sufferer. People with OCD are often acutely embarrassed about their symptoms and may keep them a secret for years, at times even from close friends and family. Those affected can live in their own private hell for years, while outwardly seeming to cope with and lead a relatively normal life. However, this seeming normality is only maintained at great cost in time, energy, stress and personal effort.
It is a distressing and debilitating condition, which tends to be chronic and deteriorate without appropriate treatment and support. OCD is often compounded by depression, and other anxiety conditions including social anxiety, panic disorder and separation anxiety. Conditions related to OCD include compulsive hoarding, trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling) and body dysmorphic disorder (excessive concern over a part of the body).
