Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) help and support
Concerned about having OCD? We’re here to help.
You don’t need Bupa health insurance to turn to us for support. We’ve put together lots of information and advice on dealing with OCD.
Living with OCD
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition where you will be experiencing obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Dealing with OCD can be tough for the person who has it as well as those around them. Normal life can become exhausting.
Part of OCD involves unwanted, often overwhelming thoughts or urges (obsessions) that play over and over again. The other part involves repeated behaviours (compulsions) following those thoughts, like excessive hand-washing or saying certain things in your head.
Tips for dealing with OCD
Living with OCD can be upsetting when it interferes with normal life. However, there are some effective treatments for OCD that can help reduce the impact it has on your life, standard treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants can really help.
Find out about OCD
If you’re living with OCD, it’s helpful to try and understand your condition. It’s also good to seek support as early as you can.
Practise mindfulness
This three-minute podcast teaches you a mindfulness breathing exercise. It’s a technique you can turn to whenever you’re struggling with OCD.
Hear it on your desktop via your usual browser or download a podcast app to listen on your mobile.
How to challenge negative thoughts
Sometimes, we can get trapped into patterns of negative thinking. Challenging those patterns isn’t easy, because they’ve become a habit. But our article suggests two important questions to ask yourself and thinking about them may help you.
Getting OCD help for children
Talk to our Family Mental HealthLine
If you’re insured with Bupa and you’re worried about a young person you’re close to, just pick up the phone and talk to us. Have you noticed a worrying change in their mood or traits? Trust your instincts.
Find Bupa-recognised mental health professionals near you
Our Finder tool lets you browse the directory of Bupa-recognised consultants, psychologists, therapists, counsellors and other professionals.
You don’t need to be a Bupa health insurance customer to see them, just make your own appointment and pay independently.
If you’re in a crisis or just need some help, don’t hesitate. Here are some really helpful organisations that you can turn to for support.
Samaritans
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. Whoever you are and whatever you’re facing, they won’t judge you or tell you what to do. They’re there to listen so you don’t have to face it alone.
Call free day or night on
116 123 (UK and ROI)
Mind
Mind is a charity dedicated to mental health. They exist to make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone. They’ll listen to you and offer support and advice.
0300 123 3393
Lines open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays
Young Minds
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity for children’s and young people's mental health. You can text Crisis Messenger for free 24/7 and get support from trained volunteers who are supervised by experienced clinicians. Texts are free from most major mobile networks.
For urgent help, text YM to 85258
Mental Health Foundation
This charity helps people understand, protect and sustain their mental health. The ‘Your mental health’ section has lots of useful content, including podcasts about mindfulness and overcoming anxiety.
Rethink Mental Illness
Rethink offers crisis and recovery services, advocacy, online resources, support groups and much more. Each year, they help tens of thousands of people manage their mental wellbeing.
0300 5000 927
Lines open 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday
Mental health support as part of Bupa health insurance
I’m already a Bupa health insurance customer
If mental health is included in your Bupa health insurance, we may be able to refer you to a consultant or therapist, and you may not even have to see your GP first†. Or we can put you through to one of our mental health nurses.
0808 296 4375^
^Calls may be recorded and to maintain the quality of our service we may monitor some of our calls, always respecting the confidentiality of the call.
I’m not a Bupa customer, but I’d like to find out more about health insurance
If you’re looking for mental health support as part of a broader health insurance policy, we can look after you, your family, or your business.
†Any onward referrals for consultations, tests or treatment are subject to the benefits and exclusions of your cover. For example, if your cover excludes conditions you had before your cover started, we may ask for further information from your GP. Please check your guide and certificate for further details or contact us to check your eligibility.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
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