OCD & Hoarding

OCD & Hoarding

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and hoarding are often misunderstood and, at times, quietly mocked in the way they're portrayed. In reality, both are exhausting attempts to manage intense anxiety and uncertainty. If intrusive thoughts, compulsions, or an inability to let go of possessions are taking up more and more of your life, you don't have to carry that alone.

What This Can Look Like

• Intrusive, unwanted thoughts that create intense anxiety or guilt
• Repetitive checking, cleaning, ordering, or reassurance-seeking
• Rituals that you feel you must complete to prevent something bad happening
• Difficulty discarding possessions, even when they cause distress or take over your space
• Exhaustion and shame around behaviours that feel out of your control

How We Work Together

OCD and hoarding both tend to thrive on shame and secrecy, so the first step is simply being able to talk about it without fear of judgement. From there, we work to:

• Understand the anxiety and fears that sit underneath the compulsions
• Gently reduce the power that rituals and avoidance hold over your day-to-day life
• Build tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort, at a pace that feels manageable
• Rebuild trust in your own judgement and decision-making

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