top of page

Support Group Meetings | Last Tuesday of the Month | 7-9pm

Reality Check Support Group

Introduction

Reality Check Macclesfield

Reality Check is a voluntary support group reaching out to those who live with or who support people who live with OCD, BDD or hoarding issues.

The group has been running for nearly 10 years and is going from strength to strength, opening its doors to new members on a monthly basis.

We meet on the last Tuesday of the month from 7-9pm. We regularly invite guest speakers to join us at our meetings to share their wealth of knowledge and experience.

As a group we enjoy local fundraising events and have had several information stalls at our towns famous Treacle Market. This is to both raise much needed funds and very importantly to raise of OCD, BDD & Hoarding.

Our group is run by a loyal team of facilitators, some of whom are living with or support those who are living with OCD, also some of the facilitators are health care professionals working with in Mental Health.

It is important to note that Reality Check is NOT a treatment group nor do we offer any form of therapy. We are here to support, educate, raise awareness and most of all offer a listening ear and a cup of tea when you need it most.

If you would like to come along to one of our meetings, please either email realitycheckmacc@aol.co.uk or telephone 07926 808797 and speak to one of the facilitators for some more information.

Introduction
What is OCD?

About OCD

OCD is an anxiety disorder. It consists of two main parts – obsessions and compulsions.

​

​

Obsessions

​

Obsessions are unwanted or unwelcome thoughts, images, urges or doubts that repeatedly appear in your mind, eg thinking that you have been contaminated with dirt or germs or feeling a sudden urge to hurt someone.

These obsessions are often incredibly frightening to the person or indeed seem so horrible that it feels impossible to share them with anyone. The obsession thoughts creep up and interrupt normal thoughts and will make the sufferer feel very anxious.

​

​

Compulsions

​

These are repetitive activities that the sufferer believes they have to do. It could be checking or perhaps repeating a specific phrase in their head.

The aim of the compulsion is to attempt to deal the upset caused by the thought and therefore relieve the anxiety. This is normally very distressing and the relief is often very short lived.

 

Most of us experience minor obsessions (have a turned off the gas? Have a locked the front door?) and compulsions (daily routines and rituals and not walking on the pavement cracks), however, these don’t tend to interfere with daily life and are usually short lived.

With OCD, the obsessions and compulsions will cause considerable fear and distress. It will take up time and disrupt the sufferers ability to carry on with day to day life.

​

Many will suffer from feelings of shame and loneliness, which can stop them from seeking help, in particular if your thoughts are about religion, sex or violence. As a result many try and go it alone, which may be possible for a while, however, more often than not the symptoms will increase to a point whereby the sufferer is unable to hide it any longer.

OCD is closely linked with depression, in fact some sufferers may find that their obsessions and compulsions increase during periods of depression.

 

​

Common Signs of OCD

​

Everyone will have their own individual experiences, however, there are several common obsessions and compulsions –

​

Obsessions:

​

  • Unwanted thoughts about  harm or aggression

  • Unwanted sexual thoughts

  • Unwanted blasphemous thoughts

 

Compulsions:

​

  • Washing and checking

  • Mental compulsions, repeating words, phrases or prayers

  • Counteracting or neutralising thoughts.

​

​

Avoidance

​

Sometimes objects or experiences can cause obsession thoughts or compulsions and make them feel worse, this can lead sufferers to avoid situations or places as a result.

​

​

Causes

​

Despite much research the exact cause of OCD has not been identified. However, there are a number of different factors which might play a role such as:

​

  • Genetics

  • Brain differences (a lack of serotonin)

  • Life events (bereavement, family breakup, childbirth, stress)

  • Personality

​

​

Treatments

​

  • CBT - exposure and response prevention therapy

  • Medication

  • Mindfulness and meditation

  • ACT

 

​

How can I help myself?

​

  • Self help books (see recommended book list)

  • OCd Action (Online forum)

  • Local support groups (Reality Check Macclesfield)

  • Relaxation, mindfulness, meditation

  • Physical activity

​

About OCD

Meeting Dates

© 2017 Reality Check Macclesfield

Proudly created with Wix.com

Reality Check Macclesfield, Macclesfield, UK

realitycheckmacc@aol.com | Tel: 07926 808797

Meeting Dates
Contact

Tuesday 27th November 2018

Tuesday 29th January 2019

Tuesday 26th February 2019

Tuesday 26th March 2019

Tuesday 30th April 2019

Tuesday 28th May 2019

Tuesday 25th June 2019

Tuesday 30th July 2019

Tuesday 27th August 2019

Tuesday 24th September 2019

Tuesday 29th October 2019

Tuesday 26th November 2019

​

bottom of page