General Practitioner (GP)

In most circumstances the first port of call for help will be a visit to your GP, especially if you have no other options but to go through the NHS if you reside in the UK. The GP can prescribe medication and make a referral for you to join a wait list for therapy/counselling.

Unfortunately, a GP’s method of pushing pills without therapy alongside them is only masking the surface of the disorder, just like a plaster on a cut.

A GP cannot provide you with therapy but it is important to be as open and honest with them about your symptoms so they can make the appropriate referrals and have less of a chance of misdiagnosing, which unfortunately is quite common. Your GP may also recommend a self-help book, in the UK its likely to be ‘Break Free From OCD’. Seeing your GP is the cheapest but longest route to treatment for OCD.