Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

When your thoughts won't leave you alone

OCD can make you feel trapped in a cycle of unwanted thoughts, frightening images, doubts or urges, followed by things you feel you have to do to make the anxiety go away. You might repeatedly check, clean, count, ask for reassurance, avoid certain situations or mentally go over things to make sure you've got them right.

OCD isn't always about visible rituals. You might spend hours analysing your thoughts, trying to work out what they mean, testing how you feel or seeking certainty about something that matters to you. For teenagers, OCD can affect school, friendships, family life and confidence, particularly when they feel frightened or ashamed of their thoughts.

How can CBT help?

CBT for OCD usually involves understanding the cycle between intrusive thoughts, anxiety and compulsive behaviours, then gradually changing how you respond to it. Where appropriate, I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), adapting treatment to you and the things that are keeping OCD going.

What could change?

The goal isn't to make every intrusive thought disappear or give you complete certainty. It's to help you stop OCD from making so many decisions for you.

With the right support, you can become more comfortable with uncertainty, spend less time checking or seeking reassurance and get back to the things that matter to you.