Break free from unhelpful rituals and take control of your life Are you plagued by a recurring thought or idea that just won't go away, or feel the need to wash your hands repeatedly, to hoard things, or to repeatedly check all appliances in the house have been turned off before you leave? These are common symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition that causes distress to hundreds of thousands of people. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been clinically proven to significantly reduce symptoms of OCD. With this step-by-step approach you can learn how to break free from the destructive cycle of obsessive behaviour and regain control of your life. The Overcoming self-help guides use CBT techniques to treat disorders by changing unhelpful patterns of behaviour and thought. CBT is internationally favoured as a practical means of overcoming long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended by the UK Department of Health under the Books on Prescription scheme.