Just Checking

pOCD: What It Looks Like, What It Feels Like, and How We Work With It

Just Checking

Show Notes

This week we're bringing a fictional case study. Meet "Dan"; a composite character who helps us walk through what pOCD (paedophilia-themed OCD) can actually look like in the room, and how CBT treatment unfolds session by session. We cover the pOCD loop, what it's like to help someone start their first gentle exposure, and the honest answer to the question so many people ask: "what if exposures just give me more intrusions?" We also talk openly about suicide risk in this population, the self-compassion work that has to sit alongside exposure, and why the answer is never "it's 50:50 whether you're a paedophile or not." It's not always a comfortable listen- but if you've ever had these thoughts, or you're a clinician working with someone who has, this one's for you.

Podcast by: Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes, Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson

Time Stamps: 00:41 Introduction to the episode 01:50 Overview of 'Dan' 05:30 What to ask Dan 07:25 Helping Dan to understand pOCD 08:55 Explaining the pOCD loop 14:23 A gentle exposure jump 16:30 Suicide risk discussion 19:20 Self-compassion and care that helps 21:00 Early experiments and challenges 24:24 pOCD-specific exposures 28:00 What if you get more intrusions? 31:10 Fun pOCD behavioural experiments 34:10 Take back your life from OCD 36:00 It's a bit shit but how do you get through it? 39:00 It isn't 50:50 on whether you are a p£dophile or not 40:42 What the next vignette is going to be 41:30 Get involved and goodbyes

Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd

Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing

Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to.

Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.

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