Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours are experienced.

OCD can be distressing and have a significant impact on day to day life, however, treatment can help to manage this.

Symptoms of OCD include:

Obsessions – this could be an unwanted, unpleasant or distressing thought, urge of image when enters your mind on repeated occasions which as a result, causes distress, anxiety, disgust or feelings of unease.

Compulsions – a repeated behaviour or act that you feel you must do to help relieve a period of time an unwanted feeling which is the result of unwanted thought.

An example of this would be someone having an obsessive fear of someone breaking into their house. As a result of the fear, they have a compulsion to check locks on doors and windows several times (often in a pattern) before being able to leave.

If thoughts and behaviours are impacting on your day to day life, seek medical advice from your GP.

How can I look after myself?

Managing OCD can be an ongoing process and you may find that there are times where things feel manageable and you are in control, and other times it may be much harder. Try to be patient with yourself.

  • Try to accept your thoughts- you may find that the more you try to stop your thoughts the more difficult they become
  • You may find it helpful to acknowledge and recognise the thought by saying to yourself or thinking ‘there is that thought again’
  • Try a grounding technique or a distraction technique. This could include breathing exercises or using a fidget toy
  • Try to resist compulsions. It can be difficult at first but over time will get easier
  • Distraction can be helpful. Try doing something creative, listen to music, get active or watch something on the TV
  • Imagine that your OCD is separate to you and visualise putting it away in a box. Think about it as something that you do not always need to pay attention to

Self-care is important. Try to establish a good bedtime routine and sleep habits alongside a healthy diet and physical activity

Where can I receive support?

The following resources may contain sensitive information.

Seek help from your GP

NHS Central Access Point – If you need mental health support, you can call this service on 0808 800 3302 24 hours a day.

Hoarding UK – A national charity for people impacted by hoarding behaviours.

Maternal OCD – Offers support and guidance around perinatal OCD

NoPanic – Support those struggling with panic attacks, phobias and obsessions and compulsions.

OCDAction – Offers support and information to anybody effected by obsessions and compulsions.

How can we help?

If you would like to access support and arrange a meeting with our HE Welfare Team, please email HE.Welfare@loucoll.ac.uk.

 We also offer the following weekly during term-time:

HE Common Room:

  • Start the day right – Tuesdays 8am-9:30am
  • Cake and Chat – Fridays 2pm-3:30pm

Room TBC

  • HE Drop-In – Thursdays 2pm-3:30pm

HE Health Assured:

You can get support, information and advice through HE Health Assured which is offered independently of the college. You can also access free counselling through HE Health Assured and download their free app ‘Wisdom.’  Call 0800 028 3766. This line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Mental Health First Aiders

We offer a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA) service where students are able to call the Mental Health First Aid phone available Monday-Friday 08:30-16:30 if they feel they need someone to talk to. Our staff will support you with various issues such as academic pressure, bullying, wellbeing support, panic etc.

Please call 07483 956433 or 07483 956434 if needed.