POCD Basics Pedophilia-themed obsessive compulsive disorder (POCD) is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). POCD involves upsetting and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) about children. The thoughts are often about fears of being attracted to children or sexually abusing them. These thoughts are deeply upsetting to the person experiencing them and are not a reflection of their……
HOCD vs Denial: What’s the Difference? People with HOCD (sexual orientation OCD) typically experience intrusive thoughts, anxiety, doubt, and compulsive attempts to gain certainty about their sexual orientation. What is denial? Denial, by contrast, is a psychoanalytic concept referring to unconscious avoidance of painful truths. Because denial is unconscious, trying to “prove” whether you are……
If you’re trying to figure out how to stop obsessive thoughts, you’ve probably already noticed something frustrating: pushing them away doesn’t work—at least not for long. In fact, trying to suppress intrusive thoughts often makes them come back stronger. I’ve been a psychologist for 20 years and have treated many people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).……
What Is “Just Right” OCD? Have you ever felt like something isn’t quite right? Maybe it’s your shirt collar that doesn’t sit perfectly, or your handwriting that isn’t as neat as it could be. For most people, these moments come and go. But for individuals with “just right” OCD, the need for things to feel……
Are you plagued by doubts about things that happened in the past? Are you concerned that things may not have happened just the way you remember them? Does the possibility that you’ve remembered things incorrectly fill you with anxiety, guilt, or shame? If these questions speak to your experience, you could be dealing with real……
What Is Retroactive Jealousy? Jealousy is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences at times. It often happens in the context of romantic relationships. Usually, waves or moments of jealousy pass, like other uncomfortable emotions, without lingering or damaging your relationship. Retroactive jealousy can become emotionally exhausting when thoughts about a partner’s past begin dominating……
Last updated: September 21, 2025 Obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic attacks can both limit your ability to live the life you want. Sometimes they’re meaningfully related, and sometimes they’re not. Read on to learn more. What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? OCD is a mental health condition that involves two primary symptoms: obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions are……
One form of OCD that’s difficult to recognize is health OCD. If you or a loved one have been spending a lot of time researching medical conditions that might or might not be present, it might be time to seek help. Understanding Health OCD Do you have an intense, unwanted thoughts about getting a life-threatening……
Relationship OCD can lead you to think obsessively about your relationship and its shortcomings. But how can you know if it’s on your mind this much because of ROCD, or if it’s because it’s the wrong relationship for you? What Is ROCD? Relationship OCD, or ROCD, is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It involves……
Last updated: June 12th, 2025 The OCD cycle is the process by which obsessions and compulsions get worse over time if left untreated. Fortunately, there are effective ways to interrupt the cycle and overcome OCD. Many people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) find themselves saying things like: Thoughts like these often feel scary and stressful. Most……
Updated: April 27th, 2025 Definition and Overview “Pure O OCD” is a subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a mental health condition. The large majority of people with OCD experience compulsions. Compulsions are behaviors that you do in an attempt to reduce an anxious or uncomfortable feeling. They are often repetitive, and many are obvious to others (e.g.,……
Striving for perfection might seem great – and sometimes, it is! But when perfectionism is excessive, it can take over your life and cause more harm than good. This is called “maladaptive perfectionism.” The Definition of Maladaptive Perfectionism Perfectionism means you strive to do things perfectly, without mistakes or flaws. There are three ways this……