Living with OCD: blogs and stories

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a form of anxiety disorder that is usually associated with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. There are a broad range of symptoms but the condition can be deeply distressing and can impact significantly on people’s lives. According to OCD-UK it affects as many as 1.2% of the population regardless of age, gender, social or cultural background.

These blogs are written by people who have personal experience of mental health problems including OCD. By writing about OCD they aim to break down stereotypes and take the taboo out of something that can affect us all: mental health stigma and discrimination. Pledge to share your experience of mental health today >>

Find out more about OCD from Mind and the NHS.

7 years ago I started experiencing anxiety and OCD

Submitted by _Mark_ on Wed, 01/05/2013 - 10:10am

I was probably the last person you would think suffers from mental health issues.

This is often the case - to the outside world I was so laid-back I would regularly be described as being horizontal. The real truth is that 7 years ago I started experiencing anxiety and OCD - despite considering myself to be relatively bright I could not understand these new feelings. I remember one time when I felt anxious getting my haircut. How ridiculous does that sound?

I was too scared to talk about my depression

Submitted by __Laura__ on Mon, 08/04/2013 - 11:19am

Laura blogs about mental health stigma Many people would look at me and not realise I have a mental health issue, I’m not a different species or a green spotted monster, the last time I checked I was still human.

I am a 24 year old female, living in Yorkshire and enjoy music, art, reading, films and gaming.

Anxiety and OCD: should I tell my boss?

Submitted by _Terri_ on Fri, 05/04/2013 - 11:25am

Terri, a Time to Change blogger Discrimination towards mental health was something I had heard about but nothing I ever understood. Despite growing up with a mother with bipolar, knowledge and education surrounding the condition was scarce.

Review of Channel 4's Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners

Submitted by Thea_ on Wed, 20/03/2013 - 4:06pm

Thea I've got a great new idea for a TV programme that I think Channel 4 may just be interested in. The programme would seek to tackle the national obesity epidemic by getting together a group of people with eating disorders to share their weight-loss tips with obese people.