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35,847 claims
Women can develop OCD during pregnancy or after childbirth, with obsessions about harming the baby and compulsions like checking if the baby is breathing.
Women can sometimes have OCD during pregnancy or after their baby is born. Obsessions may include worrying about harming the baby or not sterilising feeding bottles properly. Compulsions could be things such as repeatedly checking the baby is breathing, and intrusive, unwanted and unpleasant thoughts, images or urges.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
A compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act to relieve anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts.
- A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act that you feel you need to do to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by the obsessive thought.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
An obsession is an unwanted thought, image or urge that causes anxiety, disgust or unease.
- An obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters your mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
People with OCD often experience frequent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
If you have OCD, you'll usually experience frequent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.
Service · Observational claim · From Overview - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
Free or low-cost therapy sessions are sometimes available through charities.
Free therapy or low-cost sessions starting at £15 are sometimes available. Find out more from these charities:
Financial · Funding statement · From Health anxiety, [page]
Private therapy sessions for anxiety can cost upwards of £35 per session.
The cost of private therapy sessions varies, but it can cost from £35 upwards per session.
Financial · Funding statement · From Health anxiety, [page]
Individuals can refer themselves directly to NHS talking therapies services without a GP referral.
You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP.
Service · Procedural statement · From Health anxiety, [page]
A GP may refer individuals with health anxiety to talking therapies or offer medication.
- they may refer you for a talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), or offer you a medicine for anxiety.
Service · Procedural statement · From Health anxiety, [page]
If self-help strategies are not effective and worries prevent a normal life, individuals should see a GP.
- your worries about your health are preventing you leading a normal life - self-help is not working
Service · Procedural statement · From Health anxiety, [page]
Gradually returning to normal activities can help manage health anxiety.
- Try to gradually start doing things you've been avoiding because of your health worries, such as sports or socialising.
Service · Procedural statement · From Health anxiety, [page]
Distraction techniques such as going for a walk or calling a friend can help manage urges to check the body.
- When you get the urge to check your body, for example, distract yourself by going for a walk or calling a friend.
Service · Procedural statement · From Health anxiety, [page]
Individuals with health anxiety should challenge their thoughts by writing them down and considering balanced perspectives.
- Draw a table with 2 columns. - Write your health worries in the 1st column, then more balanced thoughts in the 2nd. For example, in the 1st column you may write, "I'm worried about these headaches" and in the 2nd, "Headaches can often be a sign of stress".
Service · Procedural statement · From Health anxiety, [page]
Self-help strategies include noting the frequency of checking body and reducing these activities gradually over time.
- Note how often you check your body, ask people for reassurance, or look at health information. - Try to gradually reduce how often you do these things over a week.
Service · Procedural statement · From Health anxiety, [page]
Individuals with health anxiety may mistake symptoms of anxiety for signs of illness.
Anxiety itself can cause symptoms like headaches or a racing heartbeat, and you may mistake these for signs of illness.
Context · Observational claim · From Health anxiety, [page]
Health anxiety can cause individuals to avoid activities related to serious illness.
- avoid anything to do with serious illness, such as medical TV programmes
Context · Observational claim · From Health anxiety, [page]
Symptoms of health anxiety include constantly worrying about your health and frequently checking for signs of illness.
- constantly worry about your health - frequently check your body for signs of illness, such as lumps, tingling or pain
Context · Observational claim · From Health anxiety, [page]
Health anxiety is related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
It's related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Context · Observational claim · From Health anxiety, [page]
Health anxiety involves excessive worry about being ill or getting ill.
Health anxiety is when you spend so much time worrying you're ill, or going to get ill, that it starts to take over your life.
Context · Observational claim · From Health anxiety, [page]
Specialist mental health services may be referred to if initial treatments are not effective.
Some people may be referred to a specialist mental health service for further treatment.
Service · Policy statement · From Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]
CBT can have a quick effect, while SSRIs may take up to 12 weeks.
CBT will usually have an effect quite quickly. It can take up to 12 weeks before you notice the effects of treatment with SSRIs, but most people will eventually benefit.
Service · Observational claim · From Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), [page]