BRITS with obsessive compulsive disorder are being failed by the NHS, a charity claims.
The health service is “completely in the dark” about how many people have the condition due to a failure to collect patient data, according to OCD Action.
New research by the charity shows none of NHS England’s 42 local integrated care boards (ICBs) collect any figures on the treatment of OCD patients.
Leigh Wallbank, of OCD Action, said: “People with OCD in the UK are being failed by a crisis of neglect — OCD is invisible in our healthcare system.
“Data is the bedrock of effective healthcare, yet our findings reveal a stark absence of OCD-specific data in secondary care.
“This data gap indicates a healthcare system completely in the dark about the scale of OCD, with no clear understanding of the prevalence, treatment needs, waiting times, or treatment outcomes for those with OCD.”
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Around 12 in every 1,000 people in the UK are affected by obsessive compulsive disorder — about 750,000 people.
It’s possible the real number of sufferers is even higher due to undiagnosed cases.
The exact cause is not known.
Genetics, brain abnormalities and the environment are thought to play a role and it can affect people of all ages.
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Symptoms include obsessive thoughts that are unwanted or unpleasant that repeatedly enter your mind and can cause feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.
Patients also follow repetitive behaviours they feel they need to do to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by the obsessive thoughts.
You can get help by referring directly to an NHS talking therapies service or seeing your local GP, who can ask you about symptoms and refer you if necessary.
Treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
The latest report by OCD Action is based on Freedom of Information requests sent to every ICB and health board in the UK.
It showed there is no data collected on OCD by Northern Ireland’s five local Health and Social Care Trusts.
This oversight reflects a system dismissive of OCD, trivialising the condition and its impact on individuals and their families
Leigh Wallbank
Only one of seven health boards in Wales and one of 14 NHS boards in Scotland collect any data on OCD treatment in the community.
These are Swansea Bay University Health Board and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde respectively.
Ms Wallbank said: “To count is to acknowledge.
“The government’s failure to collect and analyse data on people living with OCD is tantamount to accepting that those suffering from the condition may not receive the care they need.
“This oversight reflects a system dismissive of OCD, trivialising the condition and its impact on individuals and their families.”
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She added: “This must change. We must count every person living with OCD — because every person living with OCD matters.
“OCD Action is calling on the next government to end trivialisation and increase understanding of OCD, recognise and count people with OCD and guarantee timely access to clinically recommended treatments.”
NINE COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOURS THAT ARE COMMON IN PEOPLE WITH OCD
Common types of compulsive behaviour in people with OCD include:
- cleaning and hand washing
- checking – such as checking doors are locked or that the gas is off
- counting
- ordering and arranging
- hoarding
- asking for reassurance
- repeating words in their head
- thinking “neutralising” thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts
- avoiding places and situations that could trigger obsessive thoughts
Source: The NHS
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Joe Davies
