Counselling for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

If you constantly doubt whether you did something correctly and feel the need to go back multiple times to re-check, this may be a sign of OCD. Repeatedly checking locks, appliances, or other things around the house are common compulsions. These behaviours are often driven by an overwhelming need for certainty rather than actual danger.

You may experience unwanted sexual thoughts or images and worry that they mean something about you or that you might act on them. Some people also experience obsessive doubts about their sexual orientation. These thoughts are deeply distressing because they do not align with your values and intentions.

Do you have unwanted thoughts of harming someone you love or fear that you might lose control? Do you constantly worry that something terrible will happen to people you care about? While it's natural to be concerned about the safety of others, OCD can turn these worries into repetitive obsessions that feel difficult to let go of.

If you wash your hands compulsively, avoid certain places, or feel that your home is never clean enough despite constant cleaning or sanitising, these may be signs of contamination OCD. Avoiding situations because of fears of germs, illness, or contamination is also common.

Do you constantly worry about offending God, breaking moral rules, or doing something "wrong"? You may find yourself repeatedly seeking reassurance, apologising, confessing, or asking for forgiveness because you feel that you may have done something morally or socially offensive. This is often known as Scrupulosity OCD.

Do you need to have furniture or objects arranged a certain way and feel distressed if they're moved? The need for symmetry, order, or for things to feel "just right" is a common theme in OCD. You may become preoccupied with certain patterns or numbers and feel compelled to either include or avoid them. Needing to touch specific objects or tap them a certain number of times is another way this type of OCD can present itself.

Do you constantly question whether you're in the "right" relationship or whether your partner is really "the one"? You may find yourself repeatedly questioning whether you're attracted enough to your partner, whether you love them enough, or what it means if your feelings change from day to day. You may compare your relationship to others, seek reassurance, or constantly analyse your feelings and your relationship. These doubts are often less about your relationship and more about OCD's need for certainty.

Do you find yourself caught in endless questions about life, reality, existence, free will, or the meaning of life? You may find yourself repeatedly trying to "solve" questions that have no definite answer, leaving you feeling mentally exhausted. This isn't simply about enjoying philosophy or deep thinking, it is about feeling stuck in a cycle of doubt that can be difficult to let go of.

Do you find yourself doubting your memories or worrying that you've done something wrong, even when you have no clear evidence? You may repeatedly replay events in your mind, question whether you said or did something inappropriate, or seek reassurance that your memory is accurate. The more you try to be certain about what happened, the more uncertain you may begin to feel.

Do you worry that you might lose self-control and do something that goes against your values? You may fear shouting something inappropriate, acting impulsively, or harming yourself or someone else, despite having no desire to do so. To reduce the anxiety, you may avoid certain situations, seek reassurance, or constantly monitor your thoughts and behaviour.

Do you find yourself constantly aware of automatic bodily sensations such as your breathing, blinking, swallowing, heartbeat, or even the way you walk? You may worry that you'll always be aware of these sensations or that something is wrong with you. The more you try not to notice them, the more your attention seems to be drawn back to them.

Do you find yourself repeatedly thinking about something that really happened in the past? You may constantly question whether you handled a situation the right way, worry that you've hurt someone, or fear that a past mistake says something terrible about who you are. You may find yourself repeatedly analysing the event, looking for certainty or reassurance, but never quite feeling satisfied.

Do you constantly worry that you have a serious illness, even after medical reassurance or normal test results? You may repeatedly check your body for symptoms, search for information online, seek reassurance from loved ones or healthcare professionals, or find yourself worrying about a different illness once one concern has been ruled out. While concerns about health are normal, Health OCD involves persistent doubt and compulsive behaviours that temporarily reduce anxiety but keep the OCD cycle going.

Do you feel overly responsible for preventing something bad from happening? You may worry that a small mistake, forgetting something, or making the wrong decision could have serious consequences for yourself or someone else. You may repeatedly check, seek reassurance, apologise, or mentally review events to make sure you haven't caused harm.

Do you worry that people, places, or objects can somehow carry unwanted feelings, memories, or experiences? You may avoid certain people, objects, or places because they become linked with uncomfortable emotions or experiences. Even though there may be no physical contamination, these emotional associations can feel just as real and distressing.