Obsessive-compulsive Disorder Paul Serebro allows us into his world and shares the challenges he as an individual living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has to face.

More on the DVD "Living with OCD"

Paul Serebro allows us into his world and shares the challenges he as an individual living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has to face. OCD is an anxiety disorder which presents itself as recurring obsessions, persistent intrusive ideas, thoughts, impulses or images, or compulsions. These compulsions present as repetitive, purposeful and intentional behaviours to relive anxiety, and significantly interfere with a person’s life.

More on OCD

Many of us worry about certain things more than others, and have certain rituals or routines that we follow daily. Most people occasionally check a few times to see if they have turned off a light or the stove, or locked the door. People with detailed routines may eat lunch at precisely noon and go to bed at exactly the same time each day. While these behaviour patterns may not be suitable for everyone, they meet the needs of the individuals involved. But some people’s worries and rituals dominate their lives – they become so preoccupied with a thought, or so compelled to check and recheck, that this interferes with their normal daily routine. They may realise that this behaviour or thought is senseless, but are unable to prevent or stop it.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that affects both males and females of all ages and all ethnic groups. The illness afflicts 2-3% of the population in all economic brackets during any given year and can develop at any age, but often begins in adolescence or early adulthood. It usually lasts for many years, during which time symptoms may vary in severity and focus, with the person in the early stages of the disorder being able to keep symptoms under control. Obsessions and/or compulsive rituals may later become so time-consuming that they interfere with the person’s life in a significant and totally debilitating way. In some cases, the person might learn to adapt better to their symptoms, yet they will be significantly affected by them.