What are the symptoms of OCD?

Some people have thoughts, ideas or pictures that come into their mind over and over again. They are difficult to get rid of and can feel silly or unpleasant. These are called obsessions. Some examples of obsessions include:

Some people feel they have to do something repeatedly, even if they don't want to or it doesn't make sense. These are called compulsions. Some examples of compulsions include:

Often people try to stop themselves from doing these things, but feel frustrated or worried unless they can finish them. Problems with obsessions and compulsions can cause distress and worry, and can begin to affect young people at home with their families or at school with friends.

Many young people have mild obsessions and compulsions at some time, for example having to organise their toys in a special way, or saying good night a certain number of times. This is normal and may be the result of worry due to stress or change.

How do I know this is OCD?

If you are worried that a young person may have OCD, you need to first think about these questions:

If the answer to these questions is ‘yes’, it may be that the young person has OCD. If this is the case, you should seek professional advice.

How common is it?

Obsessive–compulsive disorder can affect people of all ages irrespective of their gender, religion or class. It usually starts in childhood. It is thought that 1–2% of the population have OCD, which means that at least 130 000 young people have it.

What causes OCD?

We do not know the cause of OCD for certain. Research suggests it may be due to an imbalance in a brain chemical called serotonin.