There's more to OCD than what's typically seen through media. It isn't just things like compulsive hand-washing or cleanliness—there are many complex and varied symptoms of OCD that can affect men, women, and young people of all ethnicities, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. Obsessions, recurring thoughts that become unhealthy patterns of behavior and acts performed to alleviate or reduce the thoughts, can first present in childhood or early adolescence, but may appear at any time throughout someone's life. It's really important to know that OCD is treatable and seeking professional support is the first step towards recovery. If you've noticed any of these difficulties or you're concerned you might have OCD, you can talk to your GP or speak to someone at your local headspace centre about support and potential treatment options.
I distinctly recall the night it started. On my back, my eyes toward the ceiling, I juggled time zones in my head. I was 17 and head-over-heels in love with someone two years my senior. He was some place south of Ubud sinking Bintangs and smoking sampos as I twiddled my thumbs in Melbourne. A little voice—somewhat like mine—whispered in my head, "I hate James. I hate him so much." It repeated it relentlessly and every time I interrupted it, or tried to doze off, it came back louder. It felt like punishment. Like my brain was wired wrong. Like the more the little voice in my head muttered, the more likely that something terrible and ghastly would to happen to him. Because I muttered it. Because I said that I hated him, even though I didn't. I mourned his pseudo-death every week because of it.But James was fine. Always, and unsurprisingly.Pure-O doesn't look like an uncontrollable desire to wash your hands, or colour-code your desk. However, it is OCD nonetheless, even though the compulsions—which cause grave anxiety—exist only in one's mind. In saying that, it's fairly easy to develop outwards tendencies as a means of "handling" the condition; or distracting oneself from it. I currently have six washing baskets and piles that demand my attention… when I'm not resisting violent, intrusive thoughts about my loved ones dying, of course.Vikki Ryall, Head of Clinical Practice at headspace, the National Youth Mental Health Foundation.