Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is sometimes misdiagnosed as Anxiety Disorders

It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Anxiety Disorders, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a mental health condition that has patterns of persistent unwanted thoughts and fears that lead the person to complete compulsive and repetitive behaviours. They take up a large amount of time and disrupt the patient’s daily life. These symptoms overlap with a lot of other mental health disorders and can be mistaken for anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive compulsive personality disorder and schizophrenia. If wrongly diagnosed and untreated the patient can spend hours trapped in ritualistic compulsive behaviour. This can cause health issues, stop them from attending work or school, trouble in their relationships, poor quality of life, and suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

Always consult your doctor or health professional, and do not self diagnose.

Symptoms can include:

Continuous checking, continuous counting, focus on orderliness, washing and cleaning, following a strict routine, constantly demanding reassurance

Symptoms are a guideline only and may apply to either the diagnosis or the reported misdiagnosis, or both. Consult your specialist for further information.

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