Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an Anxiety disorder characterised by recurring intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) and repetitive behavioural and mental rituals (compulsions). Compulsive behaviours or rituals are often performed in the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these compulsions provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety. People with OCD are usually aware that their symptoms are irrational and excessive, but they find the obsessions uncontrollable and the compulsions difficult or impossible to resist.
This disorder typically begins in adolescence and is often a lifelong illness. It can have a severe impact on all aspects of a person’s life, including employment.
Symptoms and characteristics
Typical symptoms and characteristics of OCD include:
- incessant, intrusive thoughts and compulsive, repetitive behaviours to try and reduce fears, for example constant washing and not touching people or objects without clothes or a protective layer
- excessive fear of issues such as contamination, germs or harm and being safe
- panic attacks and associated symptoms
- avoidance of situations.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
OCD is not an uncommon disorder, with about three in every one hundred people developing OCD at some time in their lives, which is more than 450,000 Australians.
In the workplace there are various ways that people with OCD can be helped so that they can better manage their symptoms and continue to work. These include:
- the employee seeking professional help
- provide training for other staff members, so that they are aware of mental health issues, especially for staff that may never have come into contact with mental health illnesses
- provide a support therapist for the person
- reduce incidence of anything that may trigger the person’s OCD, for example if it is triggered by being in a dirty environment, make sure they are assigned to a cleaner environment.
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Better Health Channel 2011, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 9 August 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Obsessive_compulsive_disorder_explained.
SANE Australia 2010, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, SANE Australia, Melbourne, viewed 9 August 2011, http://www.sane.org/information/factsheets-podcasts/180-obsessive-compulsive-disorder.
beyondblue 2006, Obsessive compulsive disorder, beyondblue, Sydney, viewed 9 August 2011, http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=7.980&tmp=FileDownload&fid=1370.