Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions are persistent thoughts, images or impulses which are experienced by the sufferer as intrusive or inappropriate. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform, and are intended to reduce distress.

There are three common forms of OCD:

Fears of contamination and associated cleaning rituals.
Doubt and uncertainty where someone fears that something bad will happen if they don't something the "right" way or the "right" number of times – for example, checking doors are locked and repeating actions.
Thoughts which the person sees as inappropriate, immoral or wrong, which are experienced as being shameful, and often accompanied by fear that the person will actually do something unacceptable, especially sexual or blasphemous acts.

OCD, especially where someone's rituals are highly repetitive and are disturbing the person's life might also be accompanied about fears of going mad since the sufferer knows that magical thinking is odd.

Welcome to theBeingWell, the website of the CBT counsellor Andrew McLellan • theBeingWell Home • Contact Andrew • © Andrew McLellan 2012 - 2018

Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in Streatham, London SW16 (Lambeth), South London. CBT is the treatment of choice for depression, anxiety and anger and is also evidenced as being effective for eating disorders, insomnia, personality disorders and a range of other conditions.

Streatham can be easily reached by car, bus or train from Clapham, Wimbledon, Brixton, Kingston upon Thames, Stockwell, Waterloo, Victoria, London Bridge, Thameslink, Croydon, Tooting. I'm in Lambeth, on the borders of Wandsworth and Merton, accessible from Sutton and Croydon and from parts of Bromley. See how to get here.