Fact sheets

People use the word ‘obsession’ a lot in everyday conversation, and it can mean different things to different people. In terms of mental health, ‘obsessions’ are recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and unwanted. Obsessions become a problem when they affect a young person’s behaviour so much that they interfere with everyday life. Obsessions often go together with
compulsions – these are irresistible urges to behave in a certain way. Obsessive–compulsive (OCD)
and related disorders are serious, anxiety-related conditions that affect a young person’s everyday life through things like stopping them from getting to school on time, finishing homework, or going out with friends.