Aberdeen Centre, 22 - 24 Highbury Grove, London, N5 2EA.
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 226 4000 - Fax: +44 (0) 207 288 0828

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Visit our Bulletin Board and exchange thoughts and feelings with other sufferers. We would also welcome your feedback on the new logo, the new name and this brand new website.





The Road to Recovery

For most people, professional treatment is the most effective means of dealing with OCD or BDD. This usually means working with a psychiatrist or a psychologist.

In addition to professional help, self-help groups, books, leaflets and the internet are useful ways of coping with OCD. The more you know about OCD, the better equipped you will be to deal with it.
 

If you think that you need professional treatment, your general practitioner (GP) is usually the best place to start. Your GP may refer you to a psychiatrist. You should be aware that not all GP's know about OCD. In the unlikely event that your GP refuses to give you any treatment or refer you, you can get advice from your Citizens Advice Bureau or the General Medical Council who can be contacted on +44 (0) 207 580 7642.

Even if you do get referred to mental health services, you need to remember that waiting lists are likely to be long. However, your GP should have provided some support whilst you are waiting, such as medication. Treatment does not work for everybody, but it rarely makes symptoms worse. It is common for people to be given a combination of treatments, such as medication and cognitive-behavioural therapy. You may have to persevere to find treatment that works for you. Research shows that about 75% of people benefit from some kind of treatment.

People with OCD can often be afraid or embarrassed to go to their GP for treatment. It is common for people with OCD to hide their symptoms for many years. However difficult it feels to tell other people, you should remember that hiding the symptoms will not help you cope with OCD and that your GP will have an understanding of psychological disorders and is there to help you.

If you are worried about seeing your GP, you could take a friend with you and print out some of the information from this website. To help you explain what you feel, you could write down the main points beforehand. All the information that you tell your GP is confidential and cannot be shared without your permission. OCD is often referred to as an 'anxiety disorder' or a 'psychological condition'. Sometimes, the term 'mental illness' is used. If you are worried about job applications that ask about 'mental illness', talk to your GP.


I'm worried about being labelled.
All the information you tell your GP is confidential and cannot be shared without your permission. OCD is often described as an 'anxiety disorder' or a 'psychological condition'. Sometimes, the term 'mental illness' is used. If you're worried about job application forms which ask about 'mental illness', talk to your GP.


How can my GP help ?
Your GP may prescribe treatment or may refer you to a psychiatrist who can also prescribe medication. If you want psychological treatment, you need to ask for a referral to a clinical psychologist. Psychologists, rather than psychiatrists, are the people who usually specialise in cognitive and behavioural therapy.


What sort of treatment are available ?
There are two main treatments for OCD – cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and anti-obsessional medication. CBT and medication can be used alone or in combination with one another. CBT is often recommended as a first line treatment; medication as a second line of treatment when an individual fails to make progress with CBT, or if an individual has severe problems, or is significantly depressed.


How can I get private treatment ?
You could contact the British Psychological Society in Leicester +44 (0) 116 254 9568 or the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy +44 (0) 1254 875277. The OCD Action office has a list of members of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy who specialise in treating OCD.


How successful is treatment ?
Although treatment does not work for everybody, it rarely makes the symptoms worse. Research shows that approximately 75% of sufferers benefit from treatment.


Where can I get further information ?
OCD Action produces an information booklet, and can provide practical advice over the telephone. Office hours are Tuesday - Thursday. The phone number is +44 (0) 207 226 4000.

 

Source: OCD Action 2002

  


URGENT HELP REQUIRED

We urgently require volunteers who can moderate the forums on our website.

This would involve regularly checking messages posted and moderating material that is deemed abusive or inappropriate to protect our users. The forums provide a valuable source of information and support to sufferers and carers. If you feel that you would like to help or would like to discuss the role further please contact the OCD Action office.

020 7226 4545.



Your road to recovery could be helped by following some basic lifestyle guides.

Relaxation, physical exercise, regular sleep patterns and eating a balanced diet are all important factors in not only a healthy lifestyle but also in ensuring you have a better chance of recovering from OCD.



OCD Action.
Aberdeen Centre,
22-24 Highbury Grove,
London,
N5 2EA.

Telephone:
(0) 207 226 4000

Fax:
(0) 207 288 0828.


Email Us


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