Since its launch in November 2013, the OCD Clinic has helped more than 100 people and Theresa, who recently finished the 12 week course, praised it as ‘amazing’.
“When somebody first suggested the course I thought there is no way I am going into a room with people I don’t know to discuss my OCD, but deep down I knew I had to.”
“I first realised I had OCD at the age of 17 after I gave birth to my first daughter. I had intrusive thoughts initially and kept thinking that something terrible was going to happen to someone in my family. Then I started to perform rituals every 15-20 minutes like washing things over and over again, touching things and going in and out of rooms. It was taking up my whole day and took over my life.”
Having visited her GP, Theresa was referred to the OCD Clinic and found the experience really positive.
Theresa added: “OCD can be an embarrassing subject to talk about because it can be quite extreme and you spend most of your time trying to hide it. But for anyone afraid of seeking help I would say you should see your GP. OCD can take over your life so don’t suffer in silence. I had it for 25 years and I thought it would never go, but now I am on top of it.”
Deborah also found that her time at the clinic reduced the levels of her OCD difficulties having suffered with intrusive thoughts and constantly checking windows and doors for nearly 30 years.
“I first spoke to my doctor about my OCD and was given many different treatments, but nothing ever really clicked with me: I still kept feeling really anxious.”
“The help I have received at the clinic has made a massive difference. It has really made me understand what OCD is about, and to be able to meet people that are going through the same thing as me has been life changing. OCD takes over your life and you can’t really function properly, but there is help out there. There is hope.”
Laura Lea, the Public Patient Involvement Lead in the OCD Clinic said:
“We are really pleased that the discussions that patients had with clinicians about treatments has led to the opportunity to start a new clinic for people with OCD. At the same time the research which takes place in the clinic will help improve treatments and understanding of the problems that people with OCD face”.