This festive season, you may be spending time with loved ones who suffer from mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
OCD is both common and commonly misunderstood. At least 1 per cent of people worldwide suffer from this disorder, the US-based International OCD Foundation estimates, making it the fourth most prevalent mental health disorder.
With this condition, a sufferer has obsessions – or intrusive thoughts – which they are compelled to try to ease by performing rituals or actions, such as handwashing.
They cannot switch off the condition, says Minal Mahtani, CEO and founder of Hong Kong mental health charity OCD & Anxiety Support HK (OCDAHK), adding that they cope with it in the best way they know how.
The holidays can trigger and exacerbate symptoms, Mahtani says. Those with contamination OCD may worry about being in contact with raw meat in the kitchen and about how clean their hands are.
When exchanging gifts, not knowing who else has touched them can trigger worries over whether they are “safe”.