Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

An accessible and informative guide to understanding obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), written specifically for clients.

Download or send

Language

Guide (PDF)

A psychoeducational guide. Typically containing elements of skills development.

Overview

Our ‘Understanding…’ series is a collection of psychoeducation guides for common mental health conditions. Friendly and explanatory, they are comprehensive sources of information for your clients. Concepts are explained in an easily digestible way, with plenty of case examples and accessible diagrams. Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is designed to help clients suffering from OCD understand more about their condition.

Why Use This Resource?

This guide aims to help clients learn more about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It explains what OCD is, what the common symptoms are, and effective ways to address it, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Identify symptoms of OCD and the factors that contribute to it.
Understand what keeps OCD going.
Explore effective treatments for OCD.
Gain insights into how people experience OCD and how they overcome it.

Key Benefits

Comprehensive

xplores what obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is and what maintains it.

Relatable

Contains detailed examples and relatable case studies.

Supportive

Written in a friendly and accessible manner.

Hopeful

Outlines effective treatment options.

Who is this for?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Designed to help clients understand and learn more about OCD.

Integrating it into your practice

Assess

Identify clients who may be experiencing obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Provide the guide to clients who could benefit from it.

Educate

Use the content to inform clients about OCD and help normalize their experiences.

Reflect

Discuss the client’s personal experience with OCD.

Intervene

Plan treatment with the client or direct them to other sources of help and support.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts or mental images that clients typically experience as distressing, unacceptable, or anxiety-provoking. In response to these obsessions, clients may engage in compulsions - repetitive behaviours or mental acts intended to prevent feared outcomes or to alleviate emotional distress. When obsessions and compulsions reach a level that significantly disrupts daily functioning, the individual may meet criteria for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Prevalence estimates suggest that OCD affects approximately 1–2% of the population annually.

The Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) guide has been developed to support clients in building a clearer understanding of OCD. In addition to outlining common symptoms and evidence-based psychological treatments, the guide also introduces core psychological processes that are believed to maintain OCD symptoms. These include safety strategies, neutralizing actions, and attention and reasoning biases.

What's inside

Introduction to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Guidance for introducing and using the resource with clients.
Key references for learning more about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Get access to this resource

FAQs

OCD is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing distress.

Important maintenance factors often include thinking obsessions are dangerous, inflated sense of responsibility, and avoidance.

CBT is an effective therapy that focuses on addressing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that maintain OCD.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By using this resource in their clinical practice, therapists can:

Identify individuals who may be experiencing obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Help clients better understand their difficulties and what maintains them.
Explore treatment options.
Encourage hope and optimism about change.

Clinicians Who Use This Resource Also Use

Treating Your OCD With Exposure And Response (Ritual) Prevention (Second Edition): Workbook

References And Further Reading

Cougle, J. R., Lee, H. J., & Salkovskis, P. M. (2007). Are responsibility beliefs inflated in non-checking OCD patients? Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 21(1), 153-159.
Darnley, S., et al. (2019). CBT Checklist for OCD. Retrieved from: https://www.ocdaction.org.uk/support-info/have-i-had-cbt-my-ocd
Fontenelle, L. F., et al. (2012). Towards a post-traumatic subtype of obsessive–compulsive disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 26(2), 377-383.
Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617-627.
Lochner, C., et al. (2002). Childhood trauma in obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, and controls. Depression and Anxiety, 15, 66–68.
Mattheisen, M., et al. (2015). Genome-wide association study in obsessive-compulsive disorder: results from the OCGAS. Molecular Psychiatry, 20(3), 337.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2005). Obsessive compulsive disorder and body dysmorphic disorder: treatment. Retrieved from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg31/resources/obsessivecompulsive-disorder-and-body-dysmorphic-disorder-treatment-pdf-975381519301
Obsessive Compulsive Working Group (1997). Cognitive assessment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 35(7), 667–681.
Purdon, C., & Clark, D. A. (1993). Obsessive intrusive thoughts in nonclinical subjects. Part I. Content and relation with depressive, anxious and obsessional symptoms. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 31(8), 713-720.
Salkovskis, P. M., et al. (1998). Cognitive–behavioral approach to understanding obsessional thinking. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 173(S35), 53-63.

A Guide To Emotions

Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Download or send

Guide (PDF)

Overview

Why Use This Resource?