Dr Elaine Ryan
October 15, 2024 I decided to write today’s article as there seemed little point in having material on how to help yourself with obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD, if you are not able to recognise an obsessive thought. For most people, there are a series of steps to getting the help they need with OCD and if … Read more
In this article, I want to look at the relationship between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and co-occurring mental health conditions, also known as comorbidity. I shall start by explaining how OCD often coexists with other disorders like anxiety, depression, and substance use and try to outline some of the reasons why this happens including shared genetic … Read more
Today I want to talk about a specific form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) known as Pedophilia OCD, or POCD. I won’t go into too much depth about the condition as I have already written about it here, but I want to talk about the psychological impact it has on those who experience it. Firstly, let’s … Read more
Paedophilic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (POCD) is a particularly distressing and shame-provoking type of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) characterized by intrusive, unwanted, and distressing thoughts about potentially being a paedophile. Today I want to talk about the myths and stigma that surround this condition, as despite the distress these thoughts cause, many people to come forward for help, … Read more
I have been writing a series of articles on therapy for POCD, and today I want to look at Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and how it helps with Paedophilia-themed OCD (POCD). I think of all the sub-types that exist within obsessive-compulsive disorder, that people with POCD may be the most reluctant to get help … Read more
If you are at the stage of looking for treatment for your POCD, I shall explain today one of the most widely used models of therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and how it helps with POCD. As a psychologist, I appreciate how difficult it is to come forward for treatment as you will experience deep … Read more