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.
Pedophilia Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (POCD) is a form of OCD that involves intrusive thoughts and fears about being attracted to children. It is a highly distressing and stigmatized condition that can significantly impact an individual’s mental health and daily life. While the exact cause of POCD is still unknown, there are specific triggers that can worsen … Read more
One of the hardest things about living with POCD is a deep-seated fear that the obsessions are true. This is true with all types of intrusive thoughts, but due to the particular nature of the thoughts in POCD, if they were real, it would mean you were a paedophile. Most people cannot talk openly about … Read more
Having obsessive thoughts about children is such a difficult thing, but, if you also struggle with the misconception that you might be in denial and not know it, this adds another painful layer to your suffering. Learn more about POCD I decided to write this article as I have worked extensively with the many manifestations … Read more