OCD

Articles, Films and practical Guides on ocd, part of Psyche’s coverage of disorders and difficulties.
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OCD

The unravelling

I’d lived through two eras: pre and post OCD diagnosis. Nothing prepared me for what the third era held

by Lux Alptraum

A person in a green shirt and jeans sitting, focused on their hands which are clasped together, the right hand picking at the left hand’s thumbnail.
OCD
1

What to do if your picking or pulling get out of hand

Understanding the psychology behind excessive skin-picking and hair-pulling can help you resist the urges and begin to heal

by Suzanne Mouton-Odum

A child looking out a window, hand pressed against the glass, supported by an adult holding their back, in a warmly lit room with partially-closed curtains.
OCD
5

Fears about being a dangerous or immoral person can fuel OCD

Intrusive thoughts about doing bad things are common, but for people with OCD they provoke deep fears about the self

by Richard Moulding & Kelvin (Shiu Fung) Wong

Illustration of a woman standing in a giant conch shell, nestled among giant books, a large beaded necklace and various other objects, holding a small mirror, wearing a red top on a beige background.
MEMOIR

Love, shame and 325 bags of trash

In my mother’s hoarding house, I found something I wanted to keep

by Deborah Derrickson Kossmann

Photo of a cluttered room filled with scattered books, papers, boxes and household items on shelves and floor.
MENTAL HEALTH

How to tell if someone is hoarding – and provide effective help

For many, letting go of possessions is intensely stressful, even when the clutter puts them at risk. Here’s what you can do

by Michael A Tompkins

Kim Kardashian in a sparkling dress walks down an aisle, waving, as people on either side clap and cheer.
TRAUMA AND PTSD
6

Maladaptive daydreaming made me feel trapped in my own mind

Extended daydreams were a much-needed escape, but turned into a compulsion that crowded out my waking activities

by Zainab Al-Hassani

Black and white photo of a Dalmatian lounging on a sofa with its head and paw hanging over the edge.
RESILIENCE AND FLEXIBILITY
1

How to relax your own rules

Are you so strict with yourself that it’s become a burden? Gain freedom and flexibility with these therapeutic techniques

by Danielle Doucette

Photo of a person in a yellow jacket opening a door, facing away in a room with a window and blinds.
ANXIETY
7

What to do when your urge for reassurance has gone too far

The need for constant reassurance can show up like a persistent itch. Follow these steps for a more lasting peace of mind

by Matt Huston

Photo of a messy wardrobe with mixed colourful clothes on hangers and shelves, showing disorganisation and variety in styles.
HOME
8

How to have less stuff

Do your possessions hold too much power over you? Learn to regain control – and benefit your wallet and the planet

by Melissa Norberg

Photo of rubbish piled against a wall with graffiti reading “La Vita è Bella” on a city street.
DIFFICULT EMOTIONS
7

You can train yourself to find disgusting things less gross

Disgust protects you, but it can also keep you at arm’s length from others. You can learn to lessen disgust’s false alarms

by Shiu Wong

Photo of a man in a confessional booth with a purple curtain in a dimly lit stone-walled church setting.
ETHICS

Why won’t the sin wash away? When thinking ethically goes awry

Is scrupulously thinking about morality in everyday life as pathological as the meticulous, repetitive behaviours of OCD?

by Jesse Summers

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ANXIETY

How to deal with troubling thoughts

Intrusive thoughts are a common and disturbing symptom of anxiety. Cognitive behavioural techniques can help

by Nick Wignall