Concerns at the difficulty of diagnosing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder have been address, with new methods of identifying those at risk, reports The Times.

There are calls for more research to be undertaken to monitor those in high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and young people leaving home, to ascertain triggers and and help prevent the illness.

One method to help recognise the symptoms early on may be to screen women in ante-natal classes.

Cognitive Beheavioural Therapy is currently thought to be the only way to help treat the condition.

Ashley Fulwood, chief executive of OCD-UK said: “Misdiagnosis and delays in diagnosis remain a real problem because there isn’t sufficient expertise at a local level. If we can get to the root of the initial trigger for OCD, that will improve awareness and help reduce the burden of this hugely disruptive condition.”

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Mental health professionals and members of the public who are affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) will get together on Saturday 22nd November for the 2008 OCD Conference at Imperial College London.

The Conference is organised by OCD Action and has been designed to educate and inspire participants, and provide an opportunity to share personal experiences. It is estimated that OCD affects approximately 1.8 million people in the UK and it is listed as one of the top 10 disabling conditions in the world by the World Health Organisation.

The day will include workshops, presentations and short films designed to help those attending. OCD Action Chairman, Peter Jennings, said: “This day of action will have internationally-respected experts deconstruct this complex disorder to show people that these intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals are purely symptoms of OCD; symptoms which can be managed through therapy, medication and the determination to say No to OCD”.

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