Health & wellbeing
Mental health

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

BSL information about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with supporting information in English and links to further help and support.

Watch in BSL

Supporting information in English

About OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has unwanted obsessive thoughts and feels driven to carry out compulsive behaviours or mental rituals.

Signs and symptoms

Obsessions can be distressing thoughts, images or urges that repeatedly enter your mind. Compulsions are repeated actions or mental acts used to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession. OCD can take up a lot of time and interfere with daily life.

Getting help and treatment

OCD can be treated. The main treatments include a form of cognitive behavioural therapy that involves facing fears without carrying out compulsions, and medicines such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Speak to a GP or mental health professional if OCD is affecting your life.

More information and support

NHS – Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Important data protection update

Beacon CRM has informed the BDA about a cyber-security incident that may have involved personal information held in our account. Read our update, FAQs and BSL information.

Read the update (opens in a new tab)