OCD Therapy & Counselling in Surrey

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

It is thought that OCD affects about 1.2% of the UK population. It affects everyone differently - there is no “one size fits all” OCD.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a psychological health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive activities. The obsession can be either unpleasant or unwanted thoughts, images, doubts, or ruminations that repeatedly enter your mind and cause feelings of anxiety, disgust, or unease. The compulsion is a repetitive activity that you feel you need to complete in order to temporarily relieve the anxiety the obsession causes. For example, someone might obsess or worry about germs causing a severe infection, so they feel the compulsion to wash their hands over and over again before leaving the house.

Compulsions can take up lots of time and severely impact daily living, affect the ability to work, and interfere with building healthy relationships. It is very important to note that any relief you might feel from the anxiety when performing a compulsive behaviour is only temporary.

As with many conditions, OCD is often a symptom of an underlying cause not dissimilar to an addiction. Therapy can give you tools that can help you manage your symptoms. However, while it is important to manage your symptoms, it is vital to get to the root causes.

If you are suffering from OCD, please speak to your GP, a trained counsellor, or a psychotherapist as soon as possible.

More info

Useful Articles

Here's a list of articles on OCD you might find helpful.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Symptoms, Self-Help, and Treatment for Obsessions and Compulsions
It’s normal, on occasion, to go back and double-check that the iron is unplugged or your car is locked. But if you suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours become so excessive that they interfere with your daily life. No matter what you do, you can’t seem to shake them. But help is available. With treatment and self-help strategies, you can break free of the unwanted thoughts and irrational urges and take back control of your life.

O.C.D., a Disorder That Cannot Be Ignored
People with O.C.D. know that their thoughts and actions are not realistic, but they cannot stop themselves from behaving as if they were grounded in fact. Performing compulsive rituals does not give them pleasure and only temporarily relieves their anxiety, resulting in a need to re-enact them again and again.

Articles by Dr. Steven Phillipson
A collection of articles by Dr. Steven Phillipson found on OCD Online

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic, debilitating mental health condition characterised by distressing, intrusive obsessive thoughts and repetitive, compulsive physical or mental acts. OCD is a distinct condition but falls within the category of "obsessive-compulsive and related disorders."

What It's Like to Live With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Exactly why OCD happens, science is puzzling out, but it's probably a complex genetics/environment smoothie. Onset typically happens before age 25, and it tends to run in families. People say that it is often a traumatic event—a death, something that made you feel real danger for the first time—that triggers symptoms. There is also evidence that the brain structure or blood flow might be subtly different in people with OCD, says Ben Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and human behaviour at Brown University. But he adds it's unclear if these differences cause OCD or are due to its symptoms.

Poems and Quotes to Inspire You

Dare we hope? We dare.
Can we hope? We can.
Should we hope? We must, because to do otherwise is to waste the most precious of gifts given so freely by God to all of us. So when we do die, it will be with hope and it will be easy and our hearts will not be broken.

Andy Ripley – England and Lions rugby legend, often described as one of the most colourful personalities in the history of English rugby

Charities and support groups

Below you will find a comprehensive list of charities and support groups that offer help and assistance to anyone who is struggling with this mental health issue

Childline

The UK’s free and confidential helpline is not just for children, it provides help for young people of all ages who are in distress or danger. Counsellors provide advice and support, by phone and online, 24 hours a day.

You can get help and advice about a wide range of issues, including violence and abuse in your relationship on the Childline website. You can also talk to a counsellor online, send an email or post on the message boards.

Whatever your worry, it’s better out than in.

ChildLine has launched an app called Zipit. It helps you get flirty chat back on the right track. It's packed with killer comebacks and top tips to help you stay in control of your chat game. Find out more: childline.org.uk/zipit

Helpline: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

Have I got a Problem?

HaveiGotAproblem.com is a free online resource to help you understand issues or concerns you may have about mental health or addiction issues.

This site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.

http://www.haveigotaproblem.com/

Young Minds

Charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.

www.youngminds.org.uk
Parents Helpline 0808 802 5544 Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4pm

Support Line

SupportLine provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue. The Helpline is primarily a preventative service and aims to support people before they reach the point of crisis. It is particularly aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse. SupportLine is a member of the Helplines Association. SupportLine also provides support by email and post.

http://www.supportline.org.uk
Helpline: 01708 765 200

Student Minds

Student Minds is the UK's student mental health charity. We believe that peer support can change the state of student mental health. Our vision is for students to take action to foster an environment where everyone has the confidence to talk and listen to each other, the skills to support one another and the knowledge to look after their own mental health.

Helpline: 08444 775 774 Mon-Fri 9:30am - 5.30pm (calls subject to charge)
http://www.studentminds.org.uk/anxiety-disorders.html

Samaritans

The Samaritans provide 24 hour, confidential, emotional support for anyone in crisis.

http://www.samaritans.org/
Helpline 116 123, this number is FREE to call
Email jo@samaritans.org

Elefriends (run by Mind)

Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself.

We all know what it's like to struggle sometimes, and this is a safe place to listen, share and be heard. Whether you're feeling good right now, or really low, it's a safe place to share experiences and listen to others.

Shared experiences and perspectives are valuable and powerful. In this way Elefriends don't just get help, they give help too. In the good times and the bad.

www.elefriends.org.uk

Off The Record

We believe that young people need places to go which are easy to access, where you are treated with respect, and where you can get support and information to help you make your own life choices. Our services are friendly and welcoming – about 1,000 new young people visit us every year. Available in the Richmond borough.

http://otrtwickenham.com/

Time to Change

Our aim is to start a conversation… or hopefully thousands of conversations.

We want to empower people with mental health problems to feel confident talking about the issue without facing discrimination. And we want the three quarters of the population who know someone with a mental health problem to talk about it too.

http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/

Family Lives

Offers support to anyone parenting or helping to raise children, from newborn babies to young adults. There are free telephone and email helplines, parenting courses and information leaflets. The website offers lots of advice, real-life stories and relevant news as well as a helpful A-Z of related topics.

http://www.familylives.org.uk/
Helpline: 0800 800 2222 (9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday;10am – 3pm Saturday and Sunday)

Beyond OCD

Beyond OCD, the leading provider of consumer-friendly resources to help sufferers cope with and conquer Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), works to increase public and professional awareness of OCD, educate and support people with OCD and their families, and to encourage research into new treatments and a cure.

We are a small organization with a big heart. A resource for individuals, families, mental health professionals, educators, clergy and the media across the country, we are dedicated to improving the lives of people who suffer with OCD.

http://beyondocd.org/

OCD UK

Run by people with OCD for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.

Helpline: 0845 120 3778
www.ocduk.org

Anxiety UK

Provides support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.

www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Helpline: 08444 775 774 (Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm)

Phobics Society

This website is made by a few individuals who felt that there was a need for better overall understanding of phobias and healthcare across the country. We are in no way an official organisation but we simple want to share our thoughts, knowledge, experience and relevant news concerning phobias, diseases and healthcare in the United Kingdom.

http://www.phobics-society.org.uk/

The Mix

The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via online, social or our free, confidential helpline.

http://www.themix.org.uk/
Freephone 0808 808 4994

No Panic

Aims are to aid the relief and rehabilitation of those people suffering from Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, and other related Anxiety Disorders, including Tranquilliser and Drug Withdrawal, and to provide support to sufferers and their families and/or carers.

www.nopanic.org.uk
Helpline 0800 138 8889

Mind - For Better Mental Health

We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. We won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.

http://www.mind.org.uk

Mental Health Foundation

Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

SANE

SANE services provide practical help, emotional support and specialist information to individuals affected by mental health problems, their family, friends and carers.

http://www.sane.org.uk/
Helpline 0845 767 8000

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army works closely with addiction referral services as well as providing specialist detox centres in the UK. This is complemented by rehabilitation and support programmes.

http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/addiction-support

Get Connected

Get Connected is the UK's free, confidential helpline service for young people under 25 who need help, but don't know where to turn.

Helpline: 0808 808 4994
Open from 11am - 11pm every day
http://www.getconnected.org.uk/

Counselling Directory

Counselling Directory aims to be the leading service for providing counselling advice and information - connecting those in distress with the largest support network in the UK.

http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/

Papyrus UK

Suicide prevention for young people up to the age of 35

https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
Helpline: 0800 068 41 41
Monday - Friday 10am – 5pm & 7pm – 10pm, Weekends 2pm – 5pm

Text: 07786 209697
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

Barnardos

Barnardo’s believes in children regardless of their circumstances, gender, race, disability or behaviour. Our purpose as a charity today is to transform the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children. We believe in the abused, the most vulnerable, the forgotten and the neglected. We will support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in each and every child.

www.barnardos.org.uk

Addiction Support

ASCA is an established local voluntary sector organisation providing (c. 1990), confidential, 1-to-1 counselling and advice in Richmond and Kingston. We do not charge fees but ask for an appropriate weekly donation from our service users, this ensures people have access to our service whatever their financial circumstance.

We offer:

1-to-1 counselling for those affected by alcohol and substance misuse
1-to-1 counselling for the affected others of those with addiction problems
1-to-1 counselling for behavioural addictions (such as sex addiction and eating problems)
1-to-1 counselling for those facing issues in recovery
1-to-1 counselling for a wide range of underyling issues (such as mental health issues, relationship issues, bereavement and loss)
Group therapy for family members, carers and friends
Group therapy for those with an alcohol and/or drug misuse problem
Health and Well Being Programme

http://www.addictionsupport.co.uk/

OCD Action

Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources.

Helpline: 0845 390 6232 (Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 5pm)
www.ocdaction.org.uk

Triumph Over Phobias

TOP UK runs a network of self-help therapy groups for sufferers of phobias, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and other related anxiety disorders. Our groups are open to anyone, aged 18 or above. You do not need to have seen a doctor or have a formal diagnosis to attend one of our groups.

All our self-help therapy groups meet once a week and are run by trained volunteers, many of whom have overcome a phobia or OCD themselves. Our groups use a type of behaviour therapy which is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles and the work of Professor IM Marks. In many cases there is a long waiting list for therapy on the NHS but you should be able to access a TOP group immediately. (Bath, Bristol, London – Kentish Town, London – Westminster University, Torquay, Richmond)

Telephone: 01225 422705
http://www.topuk.org/

Together UK

Since Together was formed in 1879, we have believed that people with mental health issues have the right and the abilities to lead independent, fulfilling lives as part of their communities.

The people who use our services are at the heart of everything we do. They influence and shape the support they receive from us, and the way our services are run.

http://www.together-uk.org/

Phobics Awareness

Our website, forum, and chat room are all completely free! We are a community composed of people from all over the world who are suffering from panic, phobias and anxiety. We believe in support through the exchange of ideas, information and coping skills.

The website was designed to be a source of personal support for anyone affected by: Panic attacks, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social Phobia, and other Anxiety Disorders and conditions

http://www.phobics-awareness.org/

BACP

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK.

https://www.bacp.co.uk

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