David Beckham has spent most of his life in the spotlight. In his Netflix documentary series BECKHAM, he dropped his guard and opened up about something he had long kept private: living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In this blog, we look at what Beckham revealed about his OCD, what the condition actually involves, and what his story means for employers and neurodivergent people at work.
David Beckham’s experience of OCD
In the documentary, David Beckham opened up about living with OCD. He described how his “tiring” compulsions lead him to spend hours cleaning and organising his home while the rest of his family are in bed.
The former England football captain said in BECKHAM:
“The fact that when everyone’s in bed I then go around, clean the candles, turn the lights on to the right setting, make sure everywhere is tidy. I hate coming down in the morning and there’s cups and plates and, you know, bowls.”
“I clip the candle wax, I clean the glass, that’s my pet hate, the smoke around the inside of a candle. I know, it’s weird.”
When the camera crew comments on how clean his kitchen looks, Beckham says: “I clean it so well, I’m not sure it’s actually appreciated so much by my wife, in all honesty.” In response, Victoria Beckham tells the crew “He’s just so perfect” and tells David he is “appreciated”. He says he finds the cleaning rituals “tiring” but feels compelled to do them.
Later in the series, a throwback clip shows a teenage David saying he always keeps his room clean: “I hate an untidy room”. The scene then cuts to the present day, where he runs his hands across his wardrobe and explains: “It’s all quite organised, jackets, jean shirts, shirts and then it goes from jumpers, cardis to T-shirts, underwear socks and then suits.”
He colour-coordinates his jumpers and plans his outfits a week in advance. “Those are my outfits for the rest of the week, I prep my week. It used to just be the night before.” He even appears alarmed to find his trouser drawer left askew: “Someone’s been in here”.
Fame doesn’t protect anyone from OCD, and Beckham is far from alone: you can read about other well-known people who have spoken about OCD in our article on famous actors with OCD, and about other players’ experiences in neurodiversity in football.
What is OCD? Common signs
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common condition in which a person has persistent, intrusive and distressing thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions). Signs vary in intensity and form from person to person. The NHS guide to OCD explains the condition and how to get support. Here are some of the most common signs.
1. Intrusive thoughts (obsessions)
OCD is marked by distressing and persistent thoughts, images or urges that are difficult to control. These often revolve around fears, worries or disturbing scenarios, such as a constant fear of contamination, doubts about safety, or thoughts of causing harm to others.
2. Compulsive behaviours (compulsions)
In response to these thoughts, people with OCD carry out repetitive behaviours or mental acts to ease the anxiety. These can include excessive hand-washing, checking locks repeatedly, counting or arranging objects, and silently repeating phrases.
3. Fear of losing control
Many people with OCD fear losing control over their thoughts or actions. This fear often drives compulsive rituals as a way to regain a sense of control.
4. Perfectionism
Some people with OCD feel an overwhelming need to have their environment arranged exactly right, which can lead to time-consuming and exhausting rituals.
5. Avoidance
People with OCD may avoid situations, places or people that trigger their obsessions. For example, someone with a fear of contamination might avoid crowded public places.
6. Distress and impairment
OCD is not simply a preference for cleanliness or order. It can cause significant distress and affect work, relationships and wellbeing.
7. Insight
Many people with OCD know their obsessions and compulsions are irrational. That awareness does not make them any easier to control.
8. Time-consuming rituals
Rituals can take hours each day, leading to exhaustion and affecting concentration and productivity.
9. Impact on relationships
Loved ones and colleagues may struggle to understand compulsive behaviours and the obsessions behind them, which can put strain on relationships.
10. Co-occurring conditions
OCD often co-occurs with anxiety, depression and other forms of neurodivergence such as ADHD or autism, which can make each harder to recognise.
The BECKHAM documentary: a platform for neurodiversity education
When someone as famous as Beckham talks about OCD, the subject reaches a huge audience. Neurodiversity describes the natural variation in how human brains work, and includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and, for many people, OCD.
It also raises a practical point for employers. Some of the people in your teams are likely dealing with something similar and haven’t said so.
OCD and neurodiversity in the workplace
People with OCD often bring real strengths to work, including attention to detail, organisation and dedication. But without understanding and the right support, the same condition can lead to exhaustion, anxiety and people leaving roles they are good at.
Employers can make a real difference with practical reasonable adjustments, such as flexible working, clear written communication, predictable routines and a manager who knows how to have a supportive conversation. In the UK, OCD that has a substantial and long-term effect on day-to-day activities can count as a disability under the Equality Act 2010, so employers have a legal duty as well as a business reason to get this right. Our guide to neurodiversity in the workplace is a good place to start.
Breaking the stigma
Stigma is one of the biggest barriers to neuroinclusion. “I’m a bit OCD” is still used casually to describe liking things tidy, which minimises how distressing the condition can be. Beckham’s honesty helps challenge that and encourages others to talk openly about their own experiences.
Organisations can use moments like this to start conversations about neurodiversity at work, so everyone feels able to ask for what they need.
Key takeaways
- David Beckham’s openness about OCD in his Netflix documentary shows how invisible the condition can be, even in someone the whole world has watched.
- OCD is far more than liking things tidy. It involves intrusive thoughts and compulsions that can be exhausting and distressing.
- With the right adjustments and understanding, people with OCD can do well at work and bring real strengths to their teams.
- Challenging casual stigma helps create workplaces where people feel safe to be open.
How Enna can help
We work with organisations to support employees with OCD and other neurodivergent conditions. Our workplace needs assessments pin down practical adjustments for individual employees, and our neuroinclusion training helps managers handle those first conversations well. Book a call with our team to talk about what would work for you.
If you’re job hunting, the Enna jobs board lists roles with employers committed to neuroinclusion, and you can sign up for job alerts to hear about new ones first.
