DO I HAVE OCD?

Actor Ben Miller has revealed he broke down in tears on set while playing Channel 4’s Professor T, the unlikely investigator struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder.

Miller said in a recent interview he was able to relate to his character.

I had OCD myself quite badly. For me, it was about anxiety and trying to control the one thing you can control, be it the position of an object on a table or trying to repate the same patterns of behaviour... to sit in the same chair for example.

Miller had cognitive behavioural therapy to ease his symptoms. Talk Liverpool therapist Ann Ingham talks to Jackie Rankin about how therapy can help – and how simply being super tidy isn’t OCD.

Therapist Ann Ingham wants to make one thing clear. Straightening cushions doesn’t mean you have OCD.

Therapist Ann Ingham

“Many people have compulsive tendencies. You might feel it’s important for you or your house to be clean, having things symmetrical, or rearranging items. It’s part of the way we organise ourselves and have control over situations. It only becomes OCD if your compulsions interfere with your functioning in life and you’re finding having to do the compulsions unpleasant and a burden.”

OCD is very clever at letting people think they have control over one small thing.

OCD is a mental health condition affecting almost one million people in the UK. It causes someone to have obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours, and can cause feelings of anxiety and unease.

Ann explains: “Life is full of uncertainties – without them it would be incredibly dull. But some people struggle dealing with uncertainty and feeling out of control causes them great anxiety. OCD is very clever at letting them think they have that by giving them control over one small thing. But reality kicks in and the person develops more compulsions, doing them over and over until it feels right again.

Life is full of uncertainties – without them it would be incredibly dull.

“I liken it to ivy growing up a wall. It creeps into cracks in the brickwork and eventually covers windows and doors so you can’t get out. Unless you root out every little bit it can come back.”

What are the signs? “Actions include repeated showering, saying numbers or phrases, or checking the door is shut. Or it could be a mental behaviour - worrying you’ve harmed someone, or constantly going over things in your mind.” says Ann.

Talk Liverpool therapists use exposure and response prevention therapy, which involves therapists supporting clients to put themselves in the position where they feel a compulsion – and then not carrying it out.

“It’s hard work for the person, it takes courage and determination – but once someone understands why it’s happening and what they need to do they can stay in remission for the rest of their lives,” says Ann.

“OCD is an ingenious mental contortion. People are confused and trapped – their life is so full of compulsions there’s no time for anything else. To see someone unravel that and get their lives back is wonderful.“

FIND OUT MORE

OCD – UK: ocduk.org

OCD Action: ocdaction.org.uk

TOP UK (the OCD and phobia charity): topuk.org

NEED SUPPORT?

Help yourself – our self help guide on OCD can be read online, downloaded or watched as a video.

merseycare.nhs.uk

Talk to us

Need help with OCD, stress, anxiety or depression? We can help.

You can refer yourself online by visiting talkliverpool.nhs.uk or calling 0151 228 2300, alternatively you can be referred by your GP or another health professional.

talkliverpool.nhs.uk