Date published: 10 September 2025
For over a million people in the UK with the condition obsessive compulsive disorder, life can be exhausting and isolating.
Typically starting in early adulthood, symptoms include distressing ideas and images suddenly and repeatedly intruding your thoughts, often of harm being caused to you or your loved ones. Following specific patterns of behaviour becomes the only way to deal with the anxiety and distress, hence the compulsive nature of the condition.
“OCD impacts lives in countless different ways,” explains Dr Declan Hyland. A consultant psychiatrist at Mersey Care, his interest in helping people manage their mental health was sparked by his mum’s experience of OCD and depression.
“When I was growing up, it would take us a long time to leave the house. If mum hadn’t checked things a certain number of times, she’d have to start again. Simple tasks become quite time consuming, which is exhausting for the whole family.”
Some people learn to manage their OCD, or it becomes less severe but for others it prevents them from living a full life or can even lead to suicidal thoughts.
GPs can prescribe medication and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which can be very helpful. People affected more severely are referred to mental health services.
Declan always asks his patients, “What is the right path for you?’ Patient choice should underpin any psychiatric treatment.”