Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) usually begins in late childhood or early adolescence. People with OCD often suffer from unwanted thoughts, images or impulses (obsessions) and feel unable to stop repeating certain actions (compulsions). Obsession and compulsion can be very tiring, distressing and take a lot of time. People who suffer from OCD often know that their obsessive and compulsive behaviour is irrational, but feel powerless to change it..

Often people that suffer from OCD do not tell close friends or relatives as they are too embarrassed.

Symptoms

(Symptoms will vary from person to person)

Major Symptoms

Obessions

Obsessions in OCD frequently involve thoughts and fears about:

• contamination and harm to self or others
• images and objects not being in "correct" order
• illness
• religion or moral issues
• sexuality
• needing to save or collect things

Compulsions

Typical compulsions include:

• Washing
• Cleaning
• Checking
• Keeping things
• Doing things all the time
• Tapping and touching
• Keeping objects in the same place
• Needing to always ask and admit to things
• Counting
• Repeating words

For further information about any mental health issue, contact:

• Your regular medical practitioner.

• Your local community health centre.

• National Depression Awareness Campaign Mental Health Foundation of Australia Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited
  270 Church Street,
  Richmond 3121
  Tel: (03) 9427 0407
  
  

• ARAFEMI - Association of Relatives and Friends of the Emotionally and Mentally ill.
  615 Camberwell Road,
  CAMBERWELL 3124
  Tel: (03) 9889 1777
  Fax: (03) 98892878
  
  

• Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria)
  270 Church Street,
  Richmond 3121
  Tel: (03) 9427 0406
  
  

• AICAFMHA - Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health
  Tel: (08) 8132 0786
  Email: secretary@aicfmha.net.au

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