Talk about it openly

Consider sharing any worries about coronavirus with a friend, family member or therapist who may be able to help put your health anxiety into perspective and introduce you to some helpful new coping strategies.

Fulwood encourages OCD sufferers to get on with life as best they can, rather than waiting for intrusive thoughts to disappear.

“If you let it, OCD will stop you doing everything you care about and want to do in life, most significantly in building and developing relationships with friends and loves ones,” he says. “Because of OCD, right now we may be avoiding seeing family and friends, avoiding hugs, or avoiding doing and going to the places we enjoy.

“It’s important not to let OCD and the coronavirus limit our social circle because that social circle is also your support circle.”