OCD Awareness Week💚

This week is OCD Awareness Week – around 3% of the world’s population (roughly 243 million people) live with OCD. And yet, so many of them feel isolated, misunderstood, or even ashamed to talk about it.

I know that feeling well. Talking openly about OCD isn’t easy. It can feel like people won’t really get it, or that they’ll make light of it. But I’ve learned that sharing our stories, even when it feels uncomfortable, can make a huge difference. If this helps just one person feel less alone, it’s worth it.

What Does OCD Really Feels Like?

OCD is often misrepresented in conversations, TV shows, and social media. It’s not just about being tidy, liking things neat, or wanting order.

For me it’s about intrusive thoughts. They can feel frightening, disturbing, or completely out of line with your values and who you are. You might know they don’t make sense, but they feel so real and so urgent that it’s hard to ignore them.

Then come the compulsions – the things you feel you have to do to try and quiet the anxiety. That might be checking, counting, repeating, or mentally replaying situations to find reassurance. Sometimes these things are visible but often, they’re not.

Even when you logically know the fears aren’t rational, the anxiety that comes with them can feel impossible to switch off. It can take over hours of your day and leave you emotionally exhausted.

These thoughts and behaviours are not a choice, and they’re not a reflection of who you are. They’re symptoms of OCD, and that distinction really matters.

Why does it matter?

One of the hardest parts of living with OCD is how lightly people sometimes treat it. Phrases like “I’m so OCD about my desk” or “I like things clean, I must have OCD” might seem harmless, but they add to the misunderstanding.

OCD isn’t a personality quirk or a funny habit – it’s a serious mental health condition that can cause real distress and isolation. For many people, it affects their work, school, relationships, and ability to function every day.

And the impact can be devastating. Studies show that around 1 in 9 people with OCD have attempted suicide. That statistic alone highlights why raising awareness, increasing understanding, and improving access to support is so important.

Finding Help and Hope…

For me, connecting with people who truly understood what I was going through also made a huge difference. There’s something powerful about talking to others who just “get it” – who know what those intrusive thoughts feel like, who understand the exhaustion and the effort it takes just to get through some days.

It’s still a journey. Some days are easier than others. But over time, things have started to feel lighter. And that lightness and the realisation that OCD doesn’t have to define or control you is something I want others to know is possible.

If OCD is affecting your life, please know that support is out there.

Talking to your GP, reaching out for therapy, or contacting an organisation that understands OCD can be a powerful first step. The right support can help you find a way forward, even if it feels impossible right now.

If you need support, here are some places that can help:

• OCD Action – www.ocdaction.org.uk
  Offers information, forums, and support groups for people living with OCD and their families.
  
• OCD UK – www.ocduk.org
  A charity run by and for people with OCD, offering resources, education, and advocacy.
  
• Mind – www.mind.org.uk
  Provides information and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
  
• Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) if you need to talk. You don’t have to be in crisis to reach out.
  

OCD doesn’t define you. It’s something you live with – not something that makes you any less kind, capable, or worthy.

Talking about it can feel scary, but every honest conversation helps break down stigma and remind others that they’re not alone.