Ashley Rush Blog

POCD or Pedophilia OCD is a subtype of OCD where the person experiences distressing intrusive and unwanted thoughts or fears that they might become or currently are sexually attracted to children. Although the person actually does not want to cause any harm, and may actually value working with or spending time with children, they feel helpless and scared about their thoughts. The fear of being labeled as a pedophile or being ostracized by society often adds to the distress. However, just like other types of OCD, POCD can be treated effectively with exposure and response prevention (ERP). Below, I discuss what POCD is, how it is different from pedophilia, and how ERP can help people claim back their lives.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, can take on various forms and have different symptoms for different people. Checking behaviors can be one of the most visible forms of OCD, with individuals repeating physical actions over and over again, though repeated checking can also be done as mental review of thoughts, images, or sensations/urges. When checking gets in the way of living a valued life, it becomes an issue. 

Asking for reassurance is a common behavior in people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders. The purpose behind this coping skill is to relieve anxiety- but does it actually work in the long term?

Welcome fellow therapy lovers and those that are therapy-curious! (I personally think therapy can benefit everyone to build helpful skills!) I am passionate about working with older teens and adults with OCD and anxiety, but also with those dealing with issues such as social anxiety, perfectionism, and overthinking. 

Welcoming a new baby into your life is often a time of joy and excitement, but for some parents, it can also trigger feelings of overwhelming anxiety and fear. Postpartum OCD is a type of OCD that can affect new parents, fathers included. It is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts, also known as obsessions, that often focus on harm coming to the baby, and compulsions, or repetitive behaviors, designed to prevent these imagined harms. These obsessions can take many forms, and the related compulsions are be time-consuming and distressing, making it difficult for parents to enjoy their new role. Fortunately, treatments exist that can help parents to manage their anxieties and fears. The gold standard treatment for postpartum OCD (and OCD in general) is exposure and response prevention therapy, or ERP.