Battle against extremes

Since last year, Shanghai Mental Health Center has started to more actively promote knowledge and information of OCD through its website and WeChat account to increase

"In addition to the medical institutions, more public education and activities will be promoted at office buildings and residential communities in the long run," Wang says.

In recent years, many private groups and websites have been established across the country to provide advice and support groups for OCD sufferers.

"Some of them have indeed played some positive roles to improve the confidence of OCD patients and in disseminating accurate information," says certified psychological counselor Yang Li, who provides voluntary counseling services at non-governmental organizations.

"But it's also important that they are professionally trained. Higher education background and clinical experiences are required for OCD counselors, but many fail to meet the qualification," she says, adding that authorities should increase investment and enhance supervision work.