Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) If you have OCD, youll usually experience frequent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. An obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters your mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.

Is OCD common in the UK?

Based on current estimates for the UK population, there are around three quarters of a million people living with OCD at any one time.

How do doctors know if you have OCD?

Many healthcare professionals use a tool called a structured clinical interview to see if your symptoms are consistent with OCD. Structured clinical interviews contain standardized questions to ensure that each patient is interviewed in the same way.

Can OCD be self diagnosed?

Studies are now showing that millenials even tend to favor digital methods of self-diagnosing health problems rather than turning to a professional. This can be problematic as many Millenials Self-Diagnosing OCD themselves with problems they dont necessarily have.

What happens if you leave OCD untreated?

Untreated OCD can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. Obsessive thoughts can make it extremely difficult or even impossible to concentrate. They can cause you to spend hours engaged in unnecessary mental or physical activity and can greatly decrease your quality of life.

What happens if OCD is not treated?

Without treatment, the severity of OCD can worsen to the point that it consumes the sufferers life. Specifically, it can inhibit their ability to attend school, keep a job, and/or can lead to social isolation. Many people with this condition consider killing themselves, and about 1% die by suicide.