Symptoms

Recognising obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours that characterise OCD. These articles explain checking, cleaning, hoarding and other repetitive actions people experience.

Avoiding Stressful Situations

People with OCD often avoid stressful situations, but avoidance can make symptoms worse, here's how to break the cycle.

Being Unable to Stop Hoarding

Why some people with OCD struggle to throw anything away and what that means for their daily life.

Common OCD Obsessions

OCD obsessions are intrusive thoughts and images that cause anxiety and persist in your mind despite your efforts to dismiss them.

Compulsive Buying

Compulsive buying disorder affects both men and women, causing financial harm and often leading to depression despite the temporary rush it provides.

Dealing with Intrusive Thoughts and Paranoia

Why intrusive thoughts and paranoia feel so distressing when you have OCD, and what's actually happening in your mind.

Obsessive Checking Explained

Why people with OCD feel compelled to check doors, appliances and other things repeatedly despite checking them already.

Obsessive Cleanliness

Why obsessive cleaning becomes a compulsive ritual for people with OCD and how it impacts their daily life.

Obsessive Tidiness

Obsessive tidiness in OCD goes far beyond keeping things neat, involving extreme arranging and checking that can consume hours of daily life.

Praying and Confessing Compulsions

How religious OCD turns prayer and confession into exhausting compulsions driven by fear and guilt.

Quiz: Do You Have Pure 'O' OCD?

Check if your OCD symptoms match Pure 'O' OCD, which involves mental obsessions and compulsions without visible physical behaviours.

Quiz: Is Your Child Suffering from OCD?

Check if your child's cleaning habits, hand-washing, and rituals could signal OCD rather than typical childhood behaviour.

Repeatedly Performing Tasks

OCD compulsions are repetitive tasks people perform to cope with anxiety, but the relief is temporary and can actually make symptoms worse.

What if Your Compulsive Thoughts Are Making You Suicidal?

When OCD intrusive thoughts turn suicidal, here's what you need to know about medication, support, and finding your way out.

What to Do if OCD Leads to Self-harm

If OCD pushes you toward self-harm, here's how to understand why it happens and what steps to take next.