In our work we often get asked about the difference between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). While the acronyms and some symptoms may appear similar, these two disorders are fundamentally different in their nature, onset, and impact on an individual’s life. Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

The use of AI is fast growing and is seemingly popping up everywhere. We’ve even started to see it be used by some of our clients to seek reassurance when they feel stuck with OCD intrusive thoughts. Seems like Google searches and Reddit searches just aren’t cutting it anymore. What is it that we need to be aware of exactly when it comes to relying on Chat GPT and other AI tech to seek reassurance for OCD triggers?

In today's society, the topic of mental health is gaining more attention and recognition than ever before. Yet, despite the progress made in understanding and addressing mental health issues, there still remains a pervasive stigma surrounding the topic. This stigma not only hampers individuals from seeking help but also perpetuates misconceptions and discrimination. To truly understand and combat this stigma, it's essential to delve into the history of mental health and explore the reasons behind its stigma.

The question of when to seek treatment for mental health concerns is a common one, often steeped in uncertainty and apprehension. So, when should one seek treatment? While the answer isn't always straightforward, there are certain signs that can help guide this decision.

‘Pure O’ is not an official diagnosis, but is rather a subtype of OCD that people experience. ‘Pure-O’ is characterised by intrusive thoughts, images or urges without any visible physical compulsions. Despite the name, people with ‘Pure O’ do actually engage in compulsions to alleviate their distress the same way as other OCD sufferers. The key difference is that the compulsions are done internally (i.e., in the mind), and therefore it doesn’t seem like a compulsion is occurring.  Examples of such internal compulsions could be replaying events over and over again in your mind, silently repeating phrases in your head, becoming hyper-aware of normal bodily sensations, avoidance of thoughts — just to name a few. So how dow e treat “pure-o” and is it different to the way we treat other forms of OCD?

In our fast-paced world, where diets and food trends dominate our thoughts and choices, it's easy to lose touch with our body's natural cues and rhythms. I often find myself discussing the importance of intuitive and mindful eating with my clients. Intuitive eating is a philosophy that encourages us to trust our body's signals regarding hunger, fullness, and food preferences. It's about reconnecting with our innate ability to eat in a way that honours our physical and emotional needs without judgment or restriction. When we do this mindfully, it means eating involves being fully present and engaged in the eating experience, paying attention to the sensory aspects of food and our body's responses as opposed to the negative judgements about ourselves. Practicing intuitive eating can be really challenging because you may have already established habits that can make it challenging. Below are some ideas and tips to help get you thinking about what intuitive eating is. For more guided and relevant information please discuss this with your treating psychologist and/or GP and/or Psychiatrist. Let's delve into some practical ways to incorporate intuitive and mindful eating into your daily life: