You like to have your spice rack arranged in a certain way and you get upset when someone puts the black pepper where the nutmeg should be. You have this thing about not being able to sleep unless the curtains are pulled a certain way and the pillows are arranged the way you like.

So, are you merely engaging in run-ofmill rituals or are you suffering from a disorder over which you have no power?

When David Beckham revealed that he couldn't control his need to constantly clean and tidy his possessions, he brought a rarely discussed and little understood condition into the limelight. Beckham suffers from Obsessional Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, where people experience repetitive and upsetting thoughts and/or behaviour. Common obsessions include fears about dirt and germs, acting violently, harming loved ones, safety (especially with regard to household appliances).

There are also as many compulsions, often carried out to alleviate anxiety from an obsession, and common ones include excessive hand-washing, and repetitive actions such as counting and touching.

These compulsions can be mental too, such as praying or repeating words and phrases, and because the compulsion relieves some anxiety, it makes the urge to do it repeatedly much stronger.

Although it varies in its severity, OCD is deeply upsetting for sufferers and can interfere with their work and relationships. The distress is augmented by the fact that most of them feel high levels of shame, on top of the anxiety and distress, often believing they are the only ones to experience such strange, upsetting feelings.

Beckham experienced a complete lack of understanding from his former Manchester United team-mates.

"They'd come into my hotel room and I thought they were just coming in for a chat. But then they'd go out and I'm thinking, 'something's different here'. And then all the magazines would be wonky. They'd have been in my wardrobe and all my trousers and shoes would be all over the place. It was a joke with them."

It is estimated that 2% to 3% of people suffer from OCD in Ireland but the true figure is likely to be much higher than that. The biggest problem is that it's difficult to diagnose and some GPs may not be familiar with the condition. There's no lab test for it and support and information is scant.

Diagnosis can be particularly difficult in the case of 'pure obsession' where the suffer does not act out compulsions, and therefore is showing no obvious manifestations of OCD. Leslie Shoemaker, a psychologist and professional advisor to OCD Ireland, says that OCD sufferers often believe that they are 'mad' or 'bad' people, instead of recognising the condition for what it is: a neurobiological disorder, or 'faulty wiring' in the brain. The organisation holds support meeting for sufferers in Dublin and Kerry on a regular basis.

The causes of OCD are unknown but many experts believe that an abnormality of the neurotransmitter serotonin is responsible. There is also evidence that it's hereditary and some cases are thought to be caused by childhood streptococcal infections. OCD onset can occur at any age, with the first episode usually triggered by a major stress or life event.

It was first described as a problem distinct from other anxiety disorders by the French psychiatrist Pierre Janet in 1902. Paul Salkovskis, professor of clinical psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, says that it is a culture-specific problem . . . the most common obsessions are often what secretly frightens a society the most. In the 16th century, it was the wrath of God; syphilis was a predominant worry in the 18th century, says Salkovski, with a huge growth in obsessions about contamination resulting from the discovery of germs. After the Second World War, radiation became a focus, and obsessions with HIV and sexual abuse of children are increasingly becoming a problem today.

Thankfully, OCD can be managed effectively and even cured. Recommended treatment includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which involves facing up to and treating those fears, and medication. The OCD Ireland website (www. ocdireland. org) carries a list of CBT therapists and psychiatrists who specialise in the disorder.

It's hoped that David Beckham's confession will encourage more sufferers to come forward and seek help.

"Who knows, " says Salkovskis, "it may become fashionable to admit to OCD tendencies."