GP ice breaker
-
If you don’t feel confident speaking about what you’re experiencing, try writing it down. OCD-UK have a helpful ice breaker form that you can use to explain what you’re struggling with to your GP.
What is OCD?
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety-related mental health condition. It can affect people of any age, gender, race, religion or anything else. Although it can be serious and affect your daily life, it’s treatable.
There are two main parts to OCD:
- ‘Obsessions’ – These are unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, impulses, worries, doubts or feelings that cause anxiety and distress.
- ‘Compulsions’ - These are behaviours or rituals that people with OCD carry out to try to stop the obsession.
It might feel like compulsions are helping in the moment, but the relief is always short lived. Sooner or later, the urge to repeat the compulsion returns. This can create a vicious cycle of obsessions and compulsions that feels hard to break. It can take up lots of time and get you really down.
But help is available, and we’re here to support you in finding it.
Common myths and misconceptions about OCD
Sadly, there are still lots of myths about OCD that you might come across. Below are some of the more common ones you might hear, as well as the reality.
Reassurance-seeking and OCD
When we’re worried, it’s normal to want reassurance from other people. For example, if we can’t remember whether we’ve locked the door, we might ask someone: “Did I remember to lock the door?” Or if we’re worried we’ve upset someone, we might ask them: “Did I say something wrong?”
For people with OCD, it can be especially tempting to seek reassurance. It might help relieve anxiety about intrusive thoughts or obsessions in the short term. But this will cause problems in the longer term. You might begin to rely on reassurance from others to reduce your anxiety, which fuels the vicious cycle of OCD. That’s why seeking reassurance can be a compulsion too.
How to get help with OCD
A good first step is to make an appointment to see your GP. They will be able to refer you to your local mental health services for an assessment. This can be a scary step, especially if you feel embarrassed or ashamed about the obsessions or compulsions you’re experiencing. But remember that it’s part of a GP’s job to help you with your mental health. The chances are they’ve spoken to other people who have been through what you’re going through.
Check out our tips on speaking to your doctor about your mental health.
Anybody can go to speak to their GP. But the services available to you might be different depending on your age and location.
With the correct combination of professional treatment and support, people with OCD can improve their condition and recover.
Treating OCD
If the result of your assessment shows that it’s likely you have OCD, you should be offered the following:
Things that can help with OCD
Know that your illness does not define you. Make the choice to counteract it and know you're worthy of a life without it.
Real stories about OCD
Our bloggers share their experience of OCD to help you find ways of coping.
How to support a friend with OCD
If someone you care about has OCD, it can be hard to know how to support them. But there are things you can do to help.
-
Learn how OCD works
Learning about the vicious cycle of OCD can help you understand what your friend is going through. They may not feel comfortable telling you what their obsessions and compulsions are. But understanding the pattern can still help you support them.
-
Remember your friend's anxiety is very real to them
You might not understand why your friend’s obsessions cause them so much anxiety. That’s okay. The important thing is that you believe them and respect that the anxiety they’re experiencing is very real to them.
-
Ask them what they need from you when they're struggling
If you’re unsure how to support a friend, the best way to find out is to ask them. This is particularly important when it comes to offering reassurance. Many people with OCD will rely on seeking reassurance from the people around them. But this can make things worse in the long term. Try to find a quiet moment to speak with your friend and ask them what they want you to do in these moments.
-
Encourage them to get help
OCD can be hard to cope with, but it is treatable. Try to encourage your friend to get help if they haven’t already. You could even offer to go with them to the doctors for moral support.
-
Look after yourself
It’s great that you want to support your friend but remember that you don’t have to fix things. Make sure you have time to look after yourself as well.
Get help now
-
OCD Action
Offers support and information to anybody affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
- Opening times:
- 9:30am - 8pm, Monday - Friday
-
OCD-UK
OCD-UK provides information, advice and support for people with OCD.
You can access this support by visiting their website or by emailing parents@ocduk.org.
You can also join a regular support group for family and carers.
Your child can join a regular support group if they are aged 18 or over. OCD-UK sometimes run groups for under 18s too – check their website for details.
-
No Panic
Supports people struggling with panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety-related issues - and provides support and information for their carers.
Call 01952 680835 for a recorded breathing exercise to help you through a panic attack (available 24/7).
- Opening times:
- 10am - 10pm, 365 days a year
-
Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
This page was reviewed in November 2023.
It was co-created by young people with lived experience of OCD.
We will next review the page in 2026.
YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK – the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.