Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects nearly 750,000 people in the UK, yet it is still widely misunderstood. In this article, we discuss the different types of OCD, as well as best practices for supporting those with the condition in the workplace.
What are the different types of OCD?
Organisation
When you think of someone with OCD, the first thing that probably springs to mind is cleanliness and organisation. Those with organisation OCD may feel the need to constantly tidy and have things in a certain place, in a certain order.
Checking
Some people with OCD have checking compulsions, which might include checking the house doors are locked, the hob is off and alarms for work are on. In the workplace, this might manifest as someone checking their emails constantly to check they were sent to the correct recipient or fidgeting to reduce anxiety, for example.
Intrusive thoughts
Random and sudden thoughts such as causing harm to someone or shouting something out in public are common for those who struggle with this category of OCD. These thoughts are uncontrollable and nothing to do with the individual’s beliefs nor their will to act on these thoughts.
Contamination
Contamination OCD is concerned with the fear of developing an illness or catching a virus. People with this type of OCD typically feel compelled to wash their hands frequently to stay clean and ‘uncontaminated’. This might also result in avoidance of certain areas/items in the office that the individual might consider unclean.
Remember, OCD can manifest itself in different ways for different people and these are just a few examples of what that can look like.
How can I support my colleagues with OCD?
1. Educate yourself
Learning a little more about the impact of OCD on people’s day-to-day lives can help you provide better support in the workplace.
2. Open communication
Talk openly to your colleagues (if they feel comfortable doing so) and find out what adjustments you could make to make their life easier.
3. Offer flexible working
Sometimes OCD can become really overwhelming and there might be days where coming into the office might seem extremely daunting. That’s why it's important to offer work from home days for those who may need some extra time to rest so they can come back to the workplace feeling recharged.
4. Respect boundaries
Respect your colleague's boundaries and try not to disrupt their routines. Instead, try to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where everyone feels comfortable working together.
5. Be patient
People with OCD may need more time than others to complete a task as they may feel the need to triple-check things or repeat actions. Being patient is key here as it shows your colleague that you support them and understand their behaviour is not a choice but rather a part of having OCD.
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