1 in 28 Singaporeans struggle with OCD, but it’s more than just an urge to be neat.
We spoke to Dr Jared Ng, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Connections MindHealth, to learn more about OCD in Singapore and its impact.
According to Dr Ng, Singapore is the OCD capital of the world. Here’s the truth behind this misunderstood disorder.
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves recurring, intrusive thoughts known as obsessions, paired with repetitive behaviours or mental rituals called compulsions. These behaviours are performed in an attempt to ease the distress triggered by the obsessions. While OCD is often linked with cleanliness or a need for order, it can manifest in many other ways. Beyond cleanliness, OCD can also involve checking, hoarding, intrusive and disturbing thoughts.
“About 3% of the population may be suffering from OCD. A lot of the time, we think of OCD patients as those who repeatedly wash their hands, but OCD can manifest in many forms.” Dr Ng explained.
Dr Jared Ng, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Connections MindHealth
How Many Singaporeans Really Suffer from OCD?
OCD impacts more people than you might expect. Based on a 2020 study, about 3.6% of Singaporeans experience OCD in their lifetime. This makes OCD in Singapore a surprisingly prevalent condition, usually beginning in adolescence or early adulthood.
Although OCD is commonly linked to cleanliness and order, it takes many forms. Some individuals struggle with intrusive thoughts, such as fears of harm or distressing images, while others perform compulsive behaviours like excessive checking or repeating actions to ease their anxiety. Despite its widespread impact, OCD remains a misunderstood disorder, brushed off or oversimplified.
Debunking Common Myths About OCD
One of the biggest misconceptions about OCD is that it’s only about being neat and tidy. While some people with OCD are fixated on cleanliness, many others are plagued by completely different obsessions. For example, Ms Alina, who shared her story with Channel News Asia, struggled with obsessive fears that her private information was being shared, highlighting how OCD in Singapore can manifest in unexpected ways. This drove her to extreme behaviours like refusing to turn on her phone and spending excessive amounts of time checking photocopies at work. “I thought I was going crazy,” she said, describing the overwhelming urge to check every word against the originals.
Others, like Ms Alina, may have compulsions tied to checking or fears of causing harm, leading them to repeatedly check doors, appliances, or locks.
Dr Ng explains, “It could be repeated checking behaviour, counting numbers, or rearranging things in certain orders.”
Another myth is that people with OCD just need to “calm down” or stop overthinking. However, OCD is driven by relentless, intrusive thoughts that create intense anxiety. These obsessions are not mere worries—they are uncontrollable and persistent, pushing individuals to perform rituals in a desperate attempt to ease their distress.
The misconception that everyone is “a little OCD” trivialises the condition. While many people enjoy order or cleanliness, true OCD interferes with daily life and can be paralysing. People with OCD, like Ms Alina, perform rituals not because they want to, but because they feel compelled to. She recalls how her compulsive washing and hand cleaning became so severe that her aunt noticed the rapid depletion of soap and shampoo.
“I remember vividly once, after washing my hands five times, I felt like something was wrong. I realised I needed professional help,” she said.
What Mental Health Issues Come with OCD?
OCD rarely exists on its own. It’s often accompanied by other mental health disorders that intensify the condition. People with OCD are more than five times more likely to suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD). Depression, in particular, can worsen the symptoms of OCD, making it harder for individuals to break the cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.
Additionally, those with OCD are nearly nine times more likely to develop bipolar disorder, a condition marked by extreme mood swings that can make managing OCD even more challenging. Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), another frequent companion of OCD, affects people at seven times the rate compared to those without OCD, creating constant worry and tension.
The struggle doesn’t end there. Many people with OCD also deal with alcohol abuse as a way to cope with the anxiety and intrusive thoughts. Unfortunately, this only compounds their mental health issues. Most concerning, however, is the strong link between OCD and suicidal thoughts. People with OCD are five times more likely to experience suicidal ideation, a risk that requires serious attention and support.
Watch also: Coping With Depression & Anxiety | Dr Jacqueline Cheung (Psychiatrist)
How Does OCD Affect Physical Health?
While OCD is primarily a mental health disorder, its impact reaches far beyond the mind. Individuals with OCD are 2.4 times more likely to suffer from chronic pain. The mental strain from constantly battling obsessive thoughts can manifest physically, leading to headaches, muscle tension, or other forms of pain that can become chronic.
OCD sufferers are also three times more likely to develop diabetes. The exact reasons for this are unclear, but the stress and anxiety linked to OCD may contribute to poor lifestyle habits, disrupted sleep, and irregular eating patterns, all of which can increase the risk of diabetes.
Individuals with OCD often report lower levels of social support, particularly from their families. The constant need for reassurance or performing rituals can create tension in relationships, leaving individuals with OCD feeling isolated. This lack of support can worsen their mental health and make managing their symptoms even harder.
What Are the Most Common OCD Symptoms?
OCD symptoms manifest in various ways, but common themes emerge. Many individuals experience obsessions about contamination, which can lead to compulsive behaviours like excessive handwashing or cleaning. Others may struggle with intrusive fears of causing harm to themselves or others, prompting them to check locks, appliances, or other items repeatedly to ensure safety.
A significant number of people with OCD are driven by the need for order and precision, which can result in repetitive arranging or organising of objects. These actions aren’t done for pleasure, but to relieve the anxiety caused by persistent, intrusive thoughts. For example, someone may feel compelled to arrange items in a particular order or perform specific tasks in a set routine to prevent something bad from happening.
Even though these symptoms tend to be disruptive to daily life, many individuals with OCD do not seek treatment. This lack of intervention often leads to prolonged distress, with symptoms escalating over time and impacting work, relationships, and overall well-being.
How is OCD Treated?
Treatment for OCD can be highly effective, helping individuals manage their symptoms and regain control over their lives. The most common approach involves a combination of medication and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
1. Medication
The primary type of medication prescribed for OCD in Singapore is Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs help increase serotonin levels in the brain, which is thought to play a role in mood regulation and anxiety reduction. While SSRIs don’t cure OCD, they can significantly reduce the intensity of obsessions and compulsions, making it easier to engage in therapy.
2. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
A specific form of CBT known as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is highly effective for treating OCD. ERP involves gradually exposing individuals to their obsessions (such as contamination fears) while preventing them from performing the related compulsive behaviours. Over time, this process helps reduce the anxiety tied to obsessions and weakens the compulsion to act on them.
3. Supportive Therapy
Besides CBT and medication, support groups and family therapy can provide valuable emotional support. These help individuals with OCD feel less isolated and give families tools to better understand and support their loved ones.
While these treatments do not offer an immediate cure, they can bring OCD under control, allowing people to lead more fulfilling lives. Early intervention is key, as untreated OCD can become progressively worse, deeply affecting one’s quality of life.
Why Addressing OCD Early Matters
OCD is not just a quirky habit or a desire for cleanliness. It is a serious mental health condition that deeply impacts the lives of many Singaporeans. Yet, stigma and misunderstanding still prevent many from seeking the help they need.
The longer it goes untreated, the more entrenched these behaviours become, eroding not just mental health but overall quality of life. We need to start recognising OCD in Singapore for what it is: a condition that deserves compassion, awareness, and timely treatment. The earlier we address it, the sooner we can break the cycle of suffering and offer a path to management.
