Dr Elaine Ryan

Written By Dr Elaine Ryan.

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Dr Elaine Ryan PsychD is a highly experienced Chartered Psychologist with 20+ years of experience in treating OCD and Anxiety Disorders. Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), Division of Neuropsychology | EuroPsy Registered| Member of The UK Society For Behavioural Medicine 

HOCD: Myths and Realities

HOCD myth and reality

Introduction Homosexual obsessive-compulsive disorder (HOCD) is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in which a person experiences unwanted and intrusive thoughts about being gay or lesbian. These thoughts can cause significant distress and anxiety and can lead people to engage in compulsive behaviours in an attempt to reduce their anxiety. Further reading about HOCD, please … Read more

OCD Cycle

vector image of man spinning a wheel to depict getting stuck on ocd cycle

Understanding the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Cycle Imagine a typical evening where you’re preparing dinner. As you set the table, a nagging thought surfaces: Did you turn off the stove? Despite remembering doing so, doubt takes root. Visions of a potential fire and its consequences plague your mind. This discomfort compels you to repeatedly verify the … Read more

OCD and comorbidity

image shows counselling session for ocd comorbidity

When someone has two or more mental health conditions simultaneously, it’s termed as comorbidity. In OCD, comorbidity is common. For instance, it’s not rare for someone with OCD to also experience depression. These conditions can either exist independently or influence each other, sometimes making symptoms more complicated. WebMD has a more detailed explanation of the … Read more

Repetitive Thoughts: From Negative Rumination to Creative Breakthroughs

vector image girl having lots of thoughts

The human mind, with its vast complexities, can tread a fine line between pure genius and rumination. While rumination can feel like you are stuck or repeat or for those of you in my age group, like the needle stuck on a record, it can also be the foundation for monumental “Eureka!” moments. When I … Read more

Why and How to Tolerate Uncomfortable Feelings in OCD

vector image of woman balancing uncomfortable feelings of OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). People with OCD often experience uncomfortable feelings, such as anxiety, fear, or doubt. These feelings can be so intense that they interfere with daily life or as NOCD put it, OCD tells you that you cannot bear uncomfortable feelings. While it … Read more

How to think clearly; stop thinking.

man with thought bubble and lightbulbs

Is it a No-Brainer? Humans are thinking creatures. That is the most fundamental way to describe our species. However, in our daily lives, our thinking can become fragmented, disjointed, and chaotic. We live in a hectic, pressured world and are pulled from one task to another. We are constantly interrupted, whether we’re relaxing, working, studying, … Read more