Understanding
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterised by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions). These symptoms can significantly interfere with daily life, relationships, and work, creating considerable distress and time-consuming rituals.
Understanding
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterised by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions). These symptoms can significantly interfere with daily life, relationships, and work, creating considerable distress and time-consuming rituals.
Understanding
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterised by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions). These symptoms can significantly interfere with daily life, relationships, and work, creating considerable distress and time-consuming rituals.
What does Obsessive Compulsive Disorder feel like?
Living with OCD can feel like being trapped in a cycle of distressing thoughts and behaviours that you know are irrational but feel unable to control. Intrusive thoughts might involve fears of contamination, harm coming to loved ones, or things being "not quite right," creating intense anxiety and uncertainty. The compulsions - whether physical actions like checking, washing, or arranging, or mental rituals like counting or repeating phrases - provide temporary relief but strengthen the cycle.
Many people describe feeling like a prisoner in their own mind, spending hours each day performing rituals or trying to resist urges. The condition often involves perfectionism, responsibility fears, and "what if" thinking that can make even simple decisions feel overwhelming and fraught with potential catastrophe.
Common Symptoms
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions)
Repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety
Excessive checking, washing, counting, or arranging behaviours
Fear of contamination or causing harm to others
Need for things to be symmetrical, "just right," or perfect
Intrusive thoughts about religion, sexuality, or violence
Significant time spent on rituals (often hours per day)
Distress and impairment in relationships, work, or daily functioning
What does Obsessive Compulsive Disorder feel like?
Living with OCD can feel like being trapped in a cycle of distressing thoughts and behaviours that you know are irrational but feel unable to control. Intrusive thoughts might involve fears of contamination, harm coming to loved ones, or things being "not quite right," creating intense anxiety and uncertainty. The compulsions - whether physical actions like checking, washing, or arranging, or mental rituals like counting or repeating phrases - provide temporary relief but strengthen the cycle.
Many people describe feeling like a prisoner in their own mind, spending hours each day performing rituals or trying to resist urges. The condition often involves perfectionism, responsibility fears, and "what if" thinking that can make even simple decisions feel overwhelming and fraught with potential catastrophe.
Common Symptoms
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions)
Repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety
Excessive checking, washing, counting, or arranging behaviours
Fear of contamination or causing harm to others
Need for things to be symmetrical, "just right," or perfect
Intrusive thoughts about religion, sexuality, or violence
Significant time spent on rituals (often hours per day)
Distress and impairment in relationships, work, or daily functioning
What does Obsessive Compulsive Disorder feel like?
Living with OCD can feel like being trapped in a cycle of distressing thoughts and behaviours that you know are irrational but feel unable to control. Intrusive thoughts might involve fears of contamination, harm coming to loved ones, or things being "not quite right," creating intense anxiety and uncertainty. The compulsions - whether physical actions like checking, washing, or arranging, or mental rituals like counting or repeating phrases - provide temporary relief but strengthen the cycle.
Many people describe feeling like a prisoner in their own mind, spending hours each day performing rituals or trying to resist urges. The condition often involves perfectionism, responsibility fears, and "what if" thinking that can make even simple decisions feel overwhelming and fraught with potential catastrophe.
Common Symptoms
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions)
Repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed to reduce anxiety
Excessive checking, washing, counting, or arranging behaviours
Fear of contamination or causing harm to others
Need for things to be symmetrical, "just right," or perfect
Intrusive thoughts about religion, sexuality, or violence
Significant time spent on rituals (often hours per day)
Distress and impairment in relationships, work, or daily functioning
History of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Understanding OCD has evolved from viewing it as rare and untreatable to recognising it as a common condition with effective, evidence-based treatments available.
Late 1800s
French psychiatrist Pierre Janet first described obsessive-compulsive symptoms systematically, distinguishing them from other mental health conditions and recognising the distressing nature of unwanted intrusive thoughts.
1960s
Behaviour therapy techniques like exposure and response prevention were developed, providing the first effective psychological treatments and demonstrating that OCD symptoms could be significantly reduced through structured intervention.
1980s
The discovery that certain medications (particularly SSRIs) were effective for OCD led to better understanding of the neurobiological aspects, whilst brain imaging began revealing the specific neural circuits involved.
Present
Modern treatment combines cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP) as gold standard treatment, supported by neuroimaging research showing how effective therapy actually changes brain activity patterns in OCD-related circuits.
History of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Understanding OCD has evolved from viewing it as rare and untreatable to recognising it as a common condition with effective, evidence-based treatments available.
Late 1800s
French psychiatrist Pierre Janet first described obsessive-compulsive symptoms systematically, distinguishing them from other mental health conditions and recognising the distressing nature of unwanted intrusive thoughts.
1960s
Behaviour therapy techniques like exposure and response prevention were developed, providing the first effective psychological treatments and demonstrating that OCD symptoms could be significantly reduced through structured intervention.
1980s
The discovery that certain medications (particularly SSRIs) were effective for OCD led to better understanding of the neurobiological aspects, whilst brain imaging began revealing the specific neural circuits involved.
Present
Modern treatment combines cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP) as gold standard treatment, supported by neuroimaging research showing how effective therapy actually changes brain activity patterns in OCD-related circuits.
History of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Understanding OCD has evolved from viewing it as rare and untreatable to recognising it as a common condition with effective, evidence-based treatments available.
Late 1800s
French psychiatrist Pierre Janet first described obsessive-compulsive symptoms systematically, distinguishing them from other mental health conditions and recognising the distressing nature of unwanted intrusive thoughts.
1960s
Behaviour therapy techniques like exposure and response prevention were developed, providing the first effective psychological treatments and demonstrating that OCD symptoms could be significantly reduced through structured intervention.
1980s
The discovery that certain medications (particularly SSRIs) were effective for OCD led to better understanding of the neurobiological aspects, whilst brain imaging began revealing the specific neural circuits involved.
Present
Modern treatment combines cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP) as gold standard treatment, supported by neuroimaging research showing how effective therapy actually changes brain activity patterns in OCD-related circuits.
Take our free self-test
Take our free self-test
Take a short self-test to see if counselling might make a difference.
Take a short self-test to see if counselling might make a difference.
Instructions
Answer based on the last 2 weeks. Choose the option that fits best. You’ll see your results at the end.
This short self-test screens for OCD symptoms. It isn’t a diagnosis, but it can help you decide next steps.
How therapy can help
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention (CBT-ERP) is the most effective treatment for OCD. This approach helps you gradually face feared situations whilst resisting the urge to perform compulsions, breaking the cycle that maintains OCD symptoms.
Therapy focuses on understanding how obsessions and compulsions interact, developing tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort, and reclaiming time and energy from OCD rituals. Treatment also addresses perfectionism, responsibility beliefs, and other thinking patterns that fuel OCD, whilst building confidence in your ability to cope with intrusive thoughts without engaging in compulsive behaviours.
Benefits of Therapy
Learn to resist compulsions and break the OCD cycle
Reduce the frequency and intensity of intrusive thoughts
Develop tolerance for uncertainty and uncomfortable feelings
Challenge perfectionism and excessive responsibility beliefs
Reclaim time previously spent on rituals and checking behaviours
Improve relationships affected by OCD symptoms and avoidance
Build confidence in coping with intrusive thoughts without compulsions
Prevent relapse through ongoing maintenance strategies and skills
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about OCD and evidence-based treatment approaches
Are intrusive thoughts in OCD dangerous, and do they mean I want to act on them?
Intrusive thoughts in OCD are not dangerous and don't reflect your true desires or intentions. In fact, people with OCD are often distressed by these thoughts precisely because they go against their values. Having an intrusive thought about harm doesn't increase the likelihood of acting on it - quite the opposite.
Can OCD be cured, or is it something I'll always have to manage?
Whilst OCD is typically a chronic condition, it's highly treatable. Many people achieve significant symptom reduction through proper treatment and go on to live fulfilling lives with minimal interference from OCD. Some people recover completely, whilst others learn effective management strategies that keep symptoms manageable.
Why can't I just stop doing the compulsions if I know they're irrational?
OCD compulsions are driven by intense anxiety and brain patterns that make them feel absolutely necessary in the moment. Simply knowing they're irrational isn't enough to stop them - it requires specific therapeutic techniques like exposure and response prevention to gradually build tolerance and break the cycle.
Is medication necessary for treating OCD?
Not always. CBT with exposure and response prevention can be highly effective on its own for many people. However, for moderate to severe OCD, combining medication (usually SSRIs) with therapy often provides the best outcomes. The choice depends on symptom severity, individual preference, and response to initial treatment approaches.
How therapy can help
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention (CBT-ERP) is the most effective treatment for OCD. This approach helps you gradually face feared situations whilst resisting the urge to perform compulsions, breaking the cycle that maintains OCD symptoms.
Therapy focuses on understanding how obsessions and compulsions interact, developing tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort, and reclaiming time and energy from OCD rituals. Treatment also addresses perfectionism, responsibility beliefs, and other thinking patterns that fuel OCD, whilst building confidence in your ability to cope with intrusive thoughts without engaging in compulsive behaviours.
Benefits of Therapy
Learn to resist compulsions and break the OCD cycle
Reduce the frequency and intensity of intrusive thoughts
Develop tolerance for uncertainty and uncomfortable feelings
Challenge perfectionism and excessive responsibility beliefs
Reclaim time previously spent on rituals and checking behaviours
Improve relationships affected by OCD symptoms and avoidance
Build confidence in coping with intrusive thoughts without compulsions
Prevent relapse through ongoing maintenance strategies and skills
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about OCD and evidence-based treatment approaches
Are intrusive thoughts in OCD dangerous, and do they mean I want to act on them?
Intrusive thoughts in OCD are not dangerous and don't reflect your true desires or intentions. In fact, people with OCD are often distressed by these thoughts precisely because they go against their values. Having an intrusive thought about harm doesn't increase the likelihood of acting on it - quite the opposite.
Can OCD be cured, or is it something I'll always have to manage?
Whilst OCD is typically a chronic condition, it's highly treatable. Many people achieve significant symptom reduction through proper treatment and go on to live fulfilling lives with minimal interference from OCD. Some people recover completely, whilst others learn effective management strategies that keep symptoms manageable.
Why can't I just stop doing the compulsions if I know they're irrational?
OCD compulsions are driven by intense anxiety and brain patterns that make them feel absolutely necessary in the moment. Simply knowing they're irrational isn't enough to stop them - it requires specific therapeutic techniques like exposure and response prevention to gradually build tolerance and break the cycle.
Is medication necessary for treating OCD?
Not always. CBT with exposure and response prevention can be highly effective on its own for many people. However, for moderate to severe OCD, combining medication (usually SSRIs) with therapy often provides the best outcomes. The choice depends on symptom severity, individual preference, and response to initial treatment approaches.
How therapy can help
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention (CBT-ERP) is the most effective treatment for OCD. This approach helps you gradually face feared situations whilst resisting the urge to perform compulsions, breaking the cycle that maintains OCD symptoms.
Therapy focuses on understanding how obsessions and compulsions interact, developing tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort, and reclaiming time and energy from OCD rituals. Treatment also addresses perfectionism, responsibility beliefs, and other thinking patterns that fuel OCD, whilst building confidence in your ability to cope with intrusive thoughts without engaging in compulsive behaviours.
Benefits of Therapy
Learn to resist compulsions and break the OCD cycle
Reduce the frequency and intensity of intrusive thoughts
Develop tolerance for uncertainty and uncomfortable feelings
Challenge perfectionism and excessive responsibility beliefs
Reclaim time previously spent on rituals and checking behaviours
Improve relationships affected by OCD symptoms and avoidance
Build confidence in coping with intrusive thoughts without compulsions
Prevent relapse through ongoing maintenance strategies and skills
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about OCD and evidence-based treatment approaches
Are intrusive thoughts in OCD dangerous, and do they mean I want to act on them?
Intrusive thoughts in OCD are not dangerous and don't reflect your true desires or intentions. In fact, people with OCD are often distressed by these thoughts precisely because they go against their values. Having an intrusive thought about harm doesn't increase the likelihood of acting on it - quite the opposite.
Can OCD be cured, or is it something I'll always have to manage?
Whilst OCD is typically a chronic condition, it's highly treatable. Many people achieve significant symptom reduction through proper treatment and go on to live fulfilling lives with minimal interference from OCD. Some people recover completely, whilst others learn effective management strategies that keep symptoms manageable.
Why can't I just stop doing the compulsions if I know they're irrational?
OCD compulsions are driven by intense anxiety and brain patterns that make them feel absolutely necessary in the moment. Simply knowing they're irrational isn't enough to stop them - it requires specific therapeutic techniques like exposure and response prevention to gradually build tolerance and break the cycle.
Is medication necessary for treating OCD?
Not always. CBT with exposure and response prevention can be highly effective on its own for many people. However, for moderate to severe OCD, combining medication (usually SSRIs) with therapy often provides the best outcomes. The choice depends on symptom severity, individual preference, and response to initial treatment approaches.
Meet our Therapists
Meet our Therapists
Waqas Maqsood is an integrative counsellor and registered member of the BACP with over 600 clinical hours. Holding an MA in Integrative Counselling and a BSc in Neuroscience, he offers a holistic, flexible approach that supports clients with anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and life transitions.
More
Adults (18+)
Victoria is a compassionate and down-to-earth therapist with an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and more than 1,900 clinical hours of experience. A registered member of the BACP, she supports both individuals and couples, offering a warm, collaborative space to explore relationships, self-worth, anxiety, and personal growth in a supportive environment.
More
Adults (18+)
Couples
Matt is an integrative counsellor holding a Diploma in Integrative Counselling with experience delivering more than 500 clinical sessions. He combines counselling, mindfulness, and meditation techniques to support clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, and life transitions, helping people build resilience, clarity, and a stronger sense of emotional wellbeing.
More
Adults (18+)
At Manchester Counselling, we are pleased to introduce Grant Fairlie (MBACP), a counsellor with over 1,900 clinical hours and more than three years of practice. Grant brings a background in drama education and specialist experience supporting neurodiverse adults and adolescents.
More
Adults (18+)
Introducing Andrea Szentgyorgyi, a UKCP-registered integrative psychotherapist with over 1,000 clinical hours. Andrea combines person-centred, solution-focused therapy with advanced techniques including hypnotherapy and EMDR, creating a tailored and flexible approach for each client. With 6 years of experience, she provides a safe and supportive space to explore challenges and promote lasting emotional wellbeing.
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Adults (18+)
At Manchester Counselling, we’re proud to introduce Isabella May Leonard (MSc), an experienced person-centred psychotherapist offering therapy for adults. With over 2,500 clinical hours, Isabella brings warmth, compassion, and professional depth to her practice, with experience across private practice, NHS Talking Therapies, and third-sector services. She provides both short- and long-term therapy, creating a safe and reflective space where clients can explore challenges at their own pace.
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Adults (18+)
Jayne Tamsett is a BACP accredited counsellor with a BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy and over 4,700 clinical hours. She works with adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, depression, and relationship challenges. Her practice offers an inclusive and compassionate space where clients feel heard, understood, and supported in their personal growth
More
Adults (18+)
Waqas Maqsood is an integrative counsellor and registered member of the BACP with over 600 clinical hours. Holding an MA in Integrative Counselling and a BSc in Neuroscience, he offers a holistic, flexible approach that supports clients with anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and life transitions.
More
Adults (18+)
Victoria is a compassionate and down-to-earth therapist with an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and more than 1,900 clinical hours of experience. A registered member of the BACP, she supports both individuals and couples, offering a warm, collaborative space to explore relationships, self-worth, anxiety, and personal growth in a supportive environment.
More
Adults (18+)
Couples
Matt is an integrative counsellor holding a Diploma in Integrative Counselling with experience delivering more than 500 clinical sessions. He combines counselling, mindfulness, and meditation techniques to support clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, and life transitions, helping people build resilience, clarity, and a stronger sense of emotional wellbeing.
More
Adults (18+)
Waqas Maqsood is an integrative counsellor and registered member of the BACP with over 600 clinical hours. Holding an MA in Integrative Counselling and a BSc in Neuroscience, he offers a holistic, flexible approach that supports clients with anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and life transitions.
More
Adults (18+)
Victoria is a compassionate and down-to-earth therapist with an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and more than 1,900 clinical hours of experience. A registered member of the BACP, she supports both individuals and couples, offering a warm, collaborative space to explore relationships, self-worth, anxiety, and personal growth in a supportive environment.
More
Adults (18+)
Couples
Matt is an integrative counsellor holding a Diploma in Integrative Counselling with experience delivering more than 500 clinical sessions. He combines counselling, mindfulness, and meditation techniques to support clients with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-esteem issues, and life transitions, helping people build resilience, clarity, and a stronger sense of emotional wellbeing.
More
Adults (18+)
At Manchester Counselling, we are pleased to introduce Grant Fairlie (MBACP), a counsellor with over 1,900 clinical hours and more than three years of practice. Grant brings a background in drama education and specialist experience supporting neurodiverse adults and adolescents.
More
Adults (18+)