OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE
DISORDER
Many people have obsessions - football,
cleaning, checking that they鈥檝e locked the door. But Inside Out meets
three people who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and it鈥檚
dramatically affecting their lives.
Fahara who lives in Manchester, Steve from Blackpool
and Alison who lives in Chorley agreed to talk to Inside Out in the hope
of helping others recognise and obtain help with their problem.
They are part of an estimated 2-3% of the general population
who are affected by OCD.
The often bizarre behaviours exhibited by sufferers can
be distressing, time consuming and can have a devastating impact on their
life.
Common compulsions include repeated hand washing, putting
household items such as books or CDs into order and repeating words silently.
Rare form
| OCD EXPLAINED |
|
To describe OCD it is useful to look at the obsessions
and compulsions separately:
Obsessions
are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses or images that cause
anxiety or distress.
Compulsions
are repetitive behaviours or mental acts a sufferer feels driven
to perform in response to an obsession in order to reduce distress
or prevent a dreaded event or sitation.
Treatments usually consists of therapy and/or medication.
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Fahara bears witness to OCD鈥檚 detrimental effects.
She has a form OCD called Trichotillomania - she pulls
her hair out.
Farhana can spend up to three hours a day doing it, she
says, "I can鈥檛 help myself."
"I鈥檓 doing it myself when I am half asleep. My hands
climb to my head and my hands will be working by myself all night."
When asked about the physical pain her Trichotillomania
causes Farhana says, "It鈥檚 funny it doesn鈥檛. It鈥檚 soothing, it鈥檚 nice."
Friends and family
OCD can also be devastating for the friends and family
of sufferers too, according to Nicky Lidbetter from the National Phobic
Society (NPS).
She says, "Often it鈥檚 family and friends who contact
us and they can鈥檛 take any more of living with the sufferer."
To provide support for families and sufferers alike,
NPS are launching a campaign this week to raise awareness of OCDs.
Causes
Steve from Blackpool (pictured above) is the founder
of a multi-million pound advertising agency in London. He also has an
OCD.
 |
| Some sufferers
wash their so much they are cracked and sore |
Steve spends a good proportion of his day washing his
hands - particularly when he is feeling anxious. He also finds it difficult
to touch door handles, banisters and flush toilets.
Steve says, "I鈥檝e tried to trace it back to some traumatic
psychological moment in my life."
"It was when I came back from watching Preston play Burnley
and I suppose there鈥檚 very few more traumatic moments then watching Preston
play Burnley, especially in the 1970s."
"I came back one night at about 11 o鈥檆lock, I was about
14, and decided I鈥檇 have a bath. I started to change my whole cycle of
behaviour after that."
Extreme
| TO MAXIMISE CHANCES
OF RECOVERY |
|
Join a self-help group.
Educate yourself and your family about OCD.
Take medication as prescribed.
Eat a well-balanced diet.
Sleep adequately.
Exercise regularly.
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Alison who lives in Chorley was possibly the most extreme
sufferer who Inside Out observed.
Alison spends a large amount of time each day checking
that things are turned off, locked or in the right order.
Alison says, "It鈥檚 an anxiety that builds.. it reaches
a peak and at that peak I check to make sure [that the door is locked]!"
Help and advice
The National Phobic Society is largest anxiety disorders
association of its type in the UK.
To find out more about the support and service they offer,
they can also be contacted at:
National Phobics Society
Zion Community Resource Centre
339 Stretford Road
Hulme
Manchester
M15 4Z
Helpline: 0870 7700456
This page only contains basic information. If you are
concerned about your health you should consult a doctor. |
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