Written and clinically reviewed By Dr Elaine Ryan Chartered Psychologist specialising in OCD and anxiety disorders, with over 20 years’ clinical experience.
Updated on
POCD (sometimes called paedophile OCD or P-OCD) is a theme of obsessive-compulsive disorder where unwanted intrusive thoughts, images or urges trigger intense fear and doubt. These experiences are distressing and feel out of character, and the problem is often maintained by compulsions such as checking, reassurance seeking, rumination and avoidance.
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Browse the articles below for practical explanations of symptoms, triggers, compulsions, stigma, parenting concerns, and recovery strategies. This content is educational and not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.
This article is not going to be a descriptive article telling you about intrusive thoughts or treatment. Rather, it is intended to be a practical tool that you can use right away to help with intrusive thoughts. I am going to do a series of these type of practical pieces and shall start today for … Read more
In my last article I was talking about the obsessions within POCD and today I want to talk about the compulsions, as without compulsions, your POCD loses it’s power, as it is the compulsions that keep it, and indeed all forms of OCD going. You might have come across the phrase before – the OCD … Read more
Of all the forms that OCD can take, I find that people with Paedophilia OCD (POCD) are most distressed by the contents of their thoughts and I want to take the opportunity today to talk about the things that you would hear inside a psychologists office (I’m a psychologist); specifically I shall be talking about … Read more
Today I want to talk about a specific form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) known as Pedophilia OCD, or POCD. I want to talk about the psychological impact it has on those who experience it. Firstly, let’s briefly understand what OCD is. OCD is a mental health condition where you experience recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and … 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
When coupled with the challenges of Pedophilia-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (POCD), having a baby can seem overwhelming. If this is your first time on my site, I am a psychologist and have been working with OCD and anxiety disorders for over two decades. I specialise in the more taboo intrusive thoughts that come with OCD, as … Read more