A series of public lectures on three poorly understood conditions, including OCD, are due to begin this week.

The lectures have been organised by OCD Ireland and will run every month between now and December. They will focus on the three conditions, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), trichotillomania and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

With OCD, people experience repetitive and upsetting thoughts and/or behaviours. There are two main features of the condition, obsessions and compulsions. An example of this is where a person becomes obsessed with dirt or germs and as a result, feels compelled to wash their hands excessively.

Trichotillomania is a condition which sees people pulling out their own hair, including hair from their head and their eyelashes.

Meanwhile, BDD is an anxiety disorder which sees people becoming abnormally preoccupied with an imagined or small defect in their personal appearance.

The first lecture takes place on September 16 and will see cognitive behavioural therapist, Yvonne Tone, providing an introduction to cognitive behavioural therapy as a treatment for OCD.

The lectures will take place in the main lecture hall at St Patrick's Hospital on James's Street in Dublin, from 7-8.30 each night. No booking is required and the lectures are open to members of the public, as well as professionals with an interest in this area.

The other three lectures are:
-October 21 - A psychiatric perspective of OCD with consultant psychiatrist, Prof Jim Lucey
-November 18 - An overview of trichotillomania with Trinity College lecturer, Fionnula MacLiam
December 16 - OCD, BDD, trichotillomania and the family with consultant psychiatrist and cognitive behavioural therapist, Dr Michael McDonough.

For more information on OCD Ireland, click here