Tips For Managing OCD At Work

Obsessive compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, is a mental health disorder which can seriously impact a person’s life and wellbeing. A range of subjects such as cleanliness, safety in the home or outdoors, tidiness and negative thoughts can play over in the individual’s mind, causing them to act out obsessive or compulsive behaviours. These kinds of acts caused by OCD can make life extremely challenging and demanding both for the individual and the people closest to them. What we might consider simple daily tasks are exceptionally stressful to someone who suffers with the condition, especially in the workplace where they have little/less control over their environment.

Ways to cope with OCD at work

Managing the symptoms of OCD at work may at first seem overwhelming and insurmountable but there are strategies that can be put into place to help sufferers cope with their anxiety and keep their compulsive and obsessive behaviours to a minimum.

1. Recognise the triggers

If you're a manager, it's helpful if you can form a trusting relationship with your team member and one in which they can feel able to share with you the issues they have without fear of being sidelined. Gaining an understanding of what triggers the person’s anxiety and compulsive behaviours can help you assist them to either avoid or minimise certain situations. For example, if you know that a situation is arising where they might feel anxious, give them plenty of notice so they have time to practise relaxation techniques and develop strategies to deal with the possibly stressful situation.

2. Be flexible

A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information showed that aerobic exercise can reduce anxiety, depression and the severity of OCD symptoms. Allowing individuals with OCD time throughout their working day to exercise not only reduces tiredness and anxiety, but it can also improve cognitive function and concentration. Just short 10-minute walks each day can help ease obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviour. You could also consider allowing them to work from home on days when they aren’t required in the office and introducing flexible working hours.

3. Ease the pressure

Anyone with OCD may struggle daily to stick to a strict routine, especially when it comes to hitting deadlines or arriving to meetings on time, so giving them a bit of leeway could greatly reduce their feelings of anxiety.

4. Check in with them

While you don’t want to appear like you’re micro-managing or scrutinising their work, it’s also important to offer support on a regular basis to an employee with OCD. Even if this just means having a coffee and a chat to see where they’re up to with their current workload or asking them if there’s anything in particular that you can do to help, it could really take a weight off their shoulders and help them to relax a little.

5. Offer support

Over time, symptoms of OCD can gradually increase if they’re left untreated so it’s important to encourage your employee to seek professional help if it's significantly impacting on their life. OCD UK offers information and support for those with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and is a good place to start when seeking support.

Further information

If you would like to know more about OCD and how to help someone with it, we have produced a booklet which you can download : 

'Understanding OCD And Learning To Live/Support Someone With It' (FREE pdf booklet)