PEOPLE often claim to be “a little bit OCD” if they like a spotless kitchen or get stressed when their desk isn’t in order.

But for the estimated one million people in the UK with the mental health condition, it is far more debilitating.

6

6

6

In fact, the World Health Organization once ranked obsessive compulsive disorder in the top 10 most disabling illnesses, in terms of lost income and diminished quality of life.

That was 35 years ago, and we now have a far better understanding of it, as well as ways to treat it.

But the sentiment remains the same – OCD is more than just a “personality quirk”; it’s a serious and sometimes paralysing disorder.

Last week, Downton Abbey star Tuppence Middleton revealed her OCD sees her push and pull her front door at least 64 times before she can leave the house.

She also takes photos of ovens, locks, windows, candles and plug sockets to remind her future anxious self that they are closed or off.

The 37-year-old said: “My mind is full of scorpions. It’s an exhausting way to function.”

Meanwhile, former footballer David Beckham, 49, spends hours cleaning candles and turning all the lights in his house to the ‘right’ setting, and Coronation Street actor Ian Puleston-Davies, 66, describes having “chewing gum thoughts” that “won’t budge”.

Nicolas Cage, Jessica Alba, Leonardo DiCaprio, Niall Horan, Daniel Radcliffe and Lili Reinhart have also spoken about having OCD.

Andrew Kidd, senior psychological therapist accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, tells Sun on Sunday Health: “OCD is known as the ‘doubting disorder’, often likened to a bully.

“People describe it as fighting with their own minds – like having two brains battling for control or chasing their thoughts in endless loops, similar to a dog chasing its tail.

“It’s not a personality quirk. It’s a serious mental health condition that causes immense distress and can severely disrupt nearly every aspect of a person’s life.”

THE SYMPTOMS

THE condition is defined by two main features – obsessions and compulsions.

“Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images or urges that cause intense distress and anxiety,” Dr Andrea Pickering, clinical director at Clinical Partners, says.

Some people describe having a fear of harming themselves or their children, while others need symmetry or orderliness.

“Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that people with OCD feel they need to do to temporarily relieve the anxiety caused by their obsessions or prevent a feared catastrophe,” Andrew adds.

For example, someone with an obsessive fear of being burgled may check all their windows and doors are locked several times before they leave home.

6

6

Alternatively, they might believe that if they touch every electrical appliance three times then they’ll keep their family safe from a fire.

Other common examples include: counting, hoarding, excessive hand-washing, arranging objects to feel ‘just right’ and repeated checking.

“It’s like OCD is trying to solve a problem that isn’t a problem, but ‘could be’,” Andrew says. “This possibility, even if it’s one in a million, is intolerable.

“Part of the reason OCD is so debilitating is its self-reinforcing nature. Compulsions, although performed to ease anxiety, really sustain it.

“The temporary relief they provide convinces individuals to repeat the behaviour whenever distressing thoughts return.

“This creates a never-ending loop where the ‘solution’ becomes the core of the problem.”

But some symptoms are less obvious…

RIGHT OR WRONG?

MOST people reckon they’ve got a decent grasp of what’s right and wrong.

But some people with OCD believe that even thinking about committing a harmful act is as bad as actually doing it. This is known as thought action fusion, Andrew says.

It could be that someone feels as terrible for imagining pushing someone in front of a train as they would if they did it.

But TAF can also be the belief that thinking about an event increases the likelihood of it happening.

Andrew says: “For example, ‘If I have an intrusive thought about my child becoming ill, then this means they are likely to become sick’.”

A PERFECT WORLD

MANY of us refer to ourselves as ‘perfectionists’. But perfectionism in OCD goes beyond a desire for order or high standards, Dr Pickering says.

“Individuals experience intense anxiety if things don’t feel ‘exactly right’, leading to compulsive behaviours such as excessive checking, repeating actions or avoiding tasks altogether,” she adds.

“Unlike personality-based perfectionism, which can drive productivity, OCD-related perfectionism is distressing, time-consuming and interferes with daily life.”

HARSH CRITIC

PEOPLE with OCD tend to be pretty hard on themselves.

“There can be an exaggerated sense of responsibility, with people feeling that they must take extraordinary measures to prevent harm or protect themselves or loved ones,” Andrew says.

“In therapy, clients viciously criticise themselves if they make mistakes.”

HYPERAWARE

A LESSER-known symptom is being hyperaware of automatic bodily functions, sometimes called sensorimotor OCD.

“This includes breathing, blinking, swallowing or your heartbeat,” Dr Pickering says.

“Instead of these processes occurring naturally in the background, they become the focus of obsessive attention, often making it difficult to concentrate on anything else.”

TIME WARP

SOME people with OCD take a long time to carry out simple tasks, Dr Pickering says.

They might spend 30 minutes washing their face, 60 minutes deciding which shower gel to buy, or four hours getting ready for work in the morning.

“It’s due to the overwhelming need to ensure things feel ‘just right’,” the expert adds, which can then make them late.

WHAT’S THAT NOISE?

CERTAIN sounds can cause intense distress, like chewing, heavy breathing or sniffing.

“Noise sensitivity, including conditions like misophonia, is not officially classified as part of OCD, but there are overlaps,” Dr Pickering says.

“This can lead to avoidance behaviours or compulsions to try to ‘neutralise’ discomfort.”

TIRED ALL THE TIME

6

ALMOST half of people with OCD report sleep problems, research shows.

“Many people struggle to ‘switch off’ their minds, leading to insomnia, restless sleep or feeling unrefreshed in the morning,” Dr Pickering says.

“Compulsive behaviours can also delay bedtime, further disrupting rest.”

HOW TO GET HELP

OCD is usually treated with talking therapies and antidepressants.

There are two main ways to get help in the UK – referring yourself to an NHS talking therapies service, or speaking directly to your GP, who can then refer you and prescribe medication.

You can also see a professional privately and find support through charities OCD UK (https://www.ocduk.org) and OCD Action (https://www.ocdaction.org.uk).