Evidence browser
Explore the evidence
Loading the evidence…
The Association of Mental Health Providers’ evidence observatory
Evidence browser
Loading the evidence…
Evidence browser
35,847 claims
Parents or carers who fabricate illness often have a history of mental health conditions or traumatic experiences.
It's likely the parent or carer will have a mental health condition or a history of previous traumatic experiences that helps to explain their behaviour.
Context · Observational claim · From Causes - Fabricated or induced illness, [page]
Parents or carers who fabricate illness may have anxiety or incorrect beliefs about the child's health.
Or they may have anxiety or incorrect beliefs about the child's health.
Context · Observational claim · From Causes - Fabricated or induced illness, [page]
Some parents or carers fabricate or induce illness in their child to gain attention or support.
The parent or carer may gain something, such as attention or support, from the child being treated as ill.
Context · Observational claim · From Causes - Fabricated or induced illness, [page]
Support groups can provide reassurance, reduce isolation, and offer social opportunities for people with OCD.
Many people with OCD find support groups helpful, as they can: - provide reassurance and coping advice - reduce feelings of isolation - offer a chance to socialise with others
Service · Observational claim · From Treatment - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
Specialist OCD services are available for those who have not responded to local and regional treatments.
Further treatment by a specialist team may sometimes be necessary if you've tried talking therapy and medicine and your OCD is still not under control. Some people with severe, long-term and difficult-to-treat OCD may be referred to a national specialist OCD service.
Service · Observational claim · From Treatment - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
SSRIs can be prescribed during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks, as determined by a GP.
SSRIs can be prescribed if you're pregnant or become pregnant, but this depends on whether your GP thinks the benefits outweigh the risks. Talk to them to help you decide what treatment is best for you.
Service · Observational claim · From Treatment - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
People with mild OCD usually need about 8 to 20 sessions of therapy, while those with severe OCD may require a longer course.
People with fairly mild OCD usually need about 8 to 20 sessions of therapist treatment, with exercises done at home between sessions. If you have more severe OCD, you may need a longer course of treatment.
Service · Observational claim · From Treatment - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
Medication for OCD typically includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
The main medicines prescribed are a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). An SSRI can help improve OCD symptoms by increasing the levels of a chemical called serotonin in your brain.
Service · Observational claim · From Treatment - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
Talking therapy for OCD often involves cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP).
Therapy for OCD is usually a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (ERP). This involves: - working with your therapist to break down your problems into their separate parts, such as your thoughts, physical feelings and actions - encouraging you to face your fears and have obsessive thoughts without neutralising them with compulsive behaviours; you start with situations that cause the least anxiety first, before moving on to more difficult thoughts
Service · Observational claim · From Treatment - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
Two main treatments for OCD are talking therapy and medicine.
The 2 main treatments are: - talking therapy – usually a type of therapy that helps you face your fears and obsessive thoughts without 'putting them right' with compulsions - medicine – usually a type of antidepressant medicine that can help by altering the balance of chemicals in your brain
Service · Observational claim · From Treatment - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
People with OCD may also develop other mental health conditions such as depression, eating disorders, and anxiety.
Some people with OCD may also have or develop other serious mental health problems, including: - depression – a condition that typically causes lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness, or a loss of interest in the things you used to enjoy - eating disorders – conditions characterised by an abnormal attitude towards food that cause you to change your eating habits and behaviour
Service · Observational claim · From Symptoms - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
OCD is unlikely to improve without treatment and support.
OCD is unlikely to get better on its own, but treatment and support is available to help you manage your symptoms and have a better quality of life.
Service · Observational claim · From Symptoms - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
People with OCD often recognise their compulsions as irrational but feel compelled to act on them.
Most people with OCD realise that such compulsive behaviour is irrational and makes no logical sense, but they cannot stop acting on it and feel they need to do it 'just in case'.
Service · Observational claim · From Symptoms - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
Common compulsions include cleaning, checking, counting, and avoiding places that trigger obsessive thoughts.
- cleaning and hand washing - checking – such as checking doors are locked or that the gas is off - counting - ordering and arranging - hoarding - asking for reassurance - repeating words in their head - thinking 'neutralising' thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts
Service · Observational claim · From Symptoms - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
Common obsessions in OCD include fears of harming oneself or others, contamination, and a need for symmetry.
- fear of deliberately harming yourself or others – for example, fear you may attack someone else, such as your children - fear of harming yourself or others by mistake – for example, fear you may set the house on fire by leaving the cooker on - fear of contamination by disease, infection or an unpleasant substance - a need for symmetry or orderliness – for example, you may feel the need to ensure all the labels on the tins in your cupboard face the same way
Service · Observational claim · From Symptoms - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
Compulsions provide temporary relief from anxiety but do not address the root cause of OCD.
The compulsive behaviour temporarily relieves the anxiety, but the obsession and anxiety soon return, causing the cycle to begin again.
Service · Observational claim · From Symptoms - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
People with OCD experience a cycle of obsessions, emotions and compulsions.
OCD has 3 main elements: - obsessions – where an unwanted, intrusive and often distressing thought, image or urge repeatedly enters your mind - emotions – the obsession causes a feeling of intense anxiety or distress - compulsions – repetitive behaviours or mental acts that a person with OCD feels driven to perform as a result of the anxiety and distress caused by the obsession
Service · Observational claim · From Symptoms - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
The foundation's expenditure on cleaning services decreased to £57 in 2025.
Cleaning 57 115
Financial · Metric statement · From Chichester Area Mental Health Support Foundation — annual report and accounts, year ending 31 December 2025, page 15
The foundation's expenditure on telephone costs decreased slightly to £88 in 2025.
Telephone 88 98
Financial · Metric statement · From Chichester Area Mental Health Support Foundation — annual report and accounts, year ending 31 December 2025, page 15
The foundation's expenditure on temporary staff increased to £10,484 in 2025.
Temp staff 10,484 9,360
Financial · Metric statement · From Chichester Area Mental Health Support Foundation — annual report and accounts, year ending 31 December 2025, page 15