Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD is a mental health condition where the individual will carry out certain rituals or have compulsive and intrusive thoughts. This is usually in response to a traumatic event that has occurred at some point in the individual’s life. In order to help any employees that may be dealing with OCD it can be beneficial for your managers and team leaders to attend Mental Health Training Courses to learn how to identify the signs and how to support the individuals.
The compulsions or behaviours that the individual displays (either in a repetitive way or not) are a way of them coping with the feelings of fear and anxiety that certain situations and thoughts can cause. The compulsions don’t just have to be physical acts, they can also be rituals that they undertake as well as mental acts. Individuals can have obsessive compulsive traits but may not be diagnosed with the full disorder, unless the compulsion and behaviours that they feel compelled to do are affecting their ability to carry out daily tasks.
There are a number of treatments and medications that can help individuals and in some cases it may be appropriate for their employer to make some adjustments to the immediate work environment for that person. This could help them to calm their anxiety levels, which will help to have a positive impact on their ocd symptoms.