Let's get something straight right off the bat: OCD is OCD is OCD. OCD is the same underlying disorder, regardless of theme—driven by obsessions (unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (rituals used to reduce anxiety or gain certainty).

Let’s be honest: traditional OCD treatment hasn’t always won points for excitement or innovation. The classic advice—“Just face your fears until they don’t scare you anymore!”—while foundational, can sometimes feel overly simplistic in the face of complex internal struggles.

If you've ever had a sudden, horrifying thought about harming someone you love – and then immediately felt sick to your stomach about it – welcome to the weird world of Harm OCD. This misunderstood monster has many people convinced they're secretly dangerous, when they're actually experiencing one of the most treatable forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. These intrusive harm obsessions are usually ego-dystonic, meaning they're at odds with a person’s core values and cause significant distress – which is exactly why they feel so disturbing.

Living with Pedophilia OCD (POCD) can feel like being trapped in your own personal hell. The unwanted, intrusive thoughts about children that plague those with POCD can lead to overwhelming shame, isolation, and despair. But here's what you need to know right from the start: having POCD does not make you a pedophile.

Have you ever found yourself doing something you know is completely irrational, yet you can't stop? Maybe you're checking that locked door for the seventh time. Or washing your hands until they're raw. Or mentally reviewing a conversation from three years ago to make sure you didn't accidentally offend someone.

Have you ever had a fleeting thought about someone of the same (or different) gender and then spent hours wondering what it means about your sexuality? Or maybe you've caught yourself looking at someone and then spiraled into a panic about whether that glance revealed your "true" sexual orientation?