Federico Ferrarese Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

14/11/2025

If you’ve ever been hit with the intrusive thought “What if I’m a paedophile?” and felt instant panic, shame, or disgust… please know this: you’re not alone, and you’re not dangerous.

These thoughts often come from POCD — a form of OCD rooted in fear, not desire — and so many people suffer in silence because they’re terrified to talk about it.

This carousel breaks down what POCD really is, why the thoughts feel so disturbing, and how recovery is absolutely possible. You deserve clarity, compassion, and a space free from shame.

Want to dive deeper?
I wrote a full, gentle, in-depth guide you can read here 👇
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/11/14/understanding-pocd/

14/11/2025

Have you ever had a thought so disturbing, so “out of nowhere”, that it made your stomach drop… and then you couldn’t stop analysing it?

For many people struggling with OCD, one of the most terrifying spirals is the intrusive fear of “What if I’m a paedophile?”
And the shame around that thought can be so heavy that people suffer in silence for years.

But here’s the truth no one talks about enough:
These thoughts don’t mean something about who you are.
They’re a symptom of a very specific form of OCD — and they’re treatable.

As a CBT therapist specialising in OCD, I’ve just written a new in-depth article that gently unpacks this fear, explains why it happens, and shows you how POCD can be treated without fuelling the panic.

If you or someone you love struggles with intrusive thoughts like these, please know: you’re not alone, and you’re not dangerous.
You deserve clarity, compassion, and proper information.

You can read the full article here:
👉 https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/11/14/understanding-pocd/

Understanding POCD with an expert psychotherapist to ease fears and anxiety. Online therapy available in Italian and English.

12/11/2025

Ever found yourself wondering, “Do I really have OCD… or am I just making excuses?”

That tiny question can spiral into hours of analysing, comparing, and self-doubt — and before you know it, you’re stuck in what we call Meta-Doubt OCD.

It’s the OCD that doubts itself. The “OCD about having OCD.”
And it’s more common than you’d think.

If you keep checking your thoughts, researching symptoms, or asking others whether you’re “OCD enough,” you’re not broken — you’re caught in a loop your brain learned to keep you safe.

Good news? You can learn your way out of it. 🧠
With CBT and ERP therapy, you can break the reassurance cycle and start trusting yourself again.

I’m Federico Ferrarese, a CBT therapist based in Edinburgh, specialising in OCD treatment — and I’ve seen hundreds of people untangle this loop and get their life back.

Read the full article here to understand meta-doubt OCD and how to move forward:
👉 https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/11/12/meta-doubt-ocd/

12/11/2025

💭 Do I Really Have OCD or Am I Just Looking for an Excuse? Untangling Meta-Doubt OCD

Ever caught yourself wondering, “What if I don’t actually have OCD — maybe I’m just making excuses?”
That thought alone can spiral into hours of analysing, googling, and second-guessing yourself. I see this often in therapy — it’s called meta-doubt OCD, or OCD about OCD.

I’ve just written a new article where I unpack what this actually means, why it happens, and how you can start breaking free from that endless loop of doubt. It’s written for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in their own mind and wondered if they “deserve” help.

You can read it here 👉 https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/11/12/meta-doubt-ocd/

If this resonates with you, please know you’re not alone — and you don’t have to keep questioning your right to heal.

✨ Federico Ferrarese
CBT Therapist, Edinburgh | Specialising in OCD treatment

Explore Meta-Doubt OCD with an Italian CBT therapist in Edinburgh. Gain clarity and support for OCD and anxiety online.

09/11/2025

🧠 Ever had a thought so sudden, so strange, that it made your stomach drop?
That’s an intrusive thought — and what you do in the next 120 seconds can change everything.

Most people try to push it away, fix it, or analyse it to death. But that only feeds the fear.
The real skill? Learning how to pause, breathe, and respond differently — calmly, kindly, and without panic.

In this carousel, I’m walking you through how to use those two minutes to stop the spiral before it starts. You’ll see that freedom isn’t about never having intrusive thoughts — it’s about not letting them control your life.

✨ You can start retraining your mind today.
🕊 Learn more in my latest article:
👉 www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/11/09/intrusive-thought-hits

09/11/2025

🧠 What Happens in the First 120 Seconds When an Intrusive Thought Hits?

Ever had a sudden, unwanted thought that made your heart race — something so unlike you that it scared you? You’re not alone. Intrusive thoughts are a normal part of being human, but how you respond in the next 120 seconds can change everything.

In this new article, I share the exact steps to take when an intrusive thought hits — drawn from years of working with people struggling with OCD and anxiety. You’ll learn:
✨ Why intrusive thoughts feel so real (and why your brain sounds the alarm)
✨ What to do in those critical two minutes to stop the spiral
✨ How to retrain your mind to stay calm and carry on

This isn’t just theory — it’s practical, compassionate guidance you can use right away. Whether you’re living with OCD or simply want to understand your mind better, this piece will help you respond differently, kindly, and confidently.

💬 Take a moment, breathe, and see how 120 seconds can change your relationship with your thoughts.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/11/09/intrusive-thought-hits/

Discover expert strategies from a CBT psychotherapist in Edinburgh to effectively respond to intrusive thought hits.

06/11/2025

“I know these thoughts don’t make sense… so why do they feel so real?”

If you live with OCD, you’ve probably asked yourself that question more than once.
The truth is, there’s real brain science behind why intrusive thoughts feel vivid, urgent, and impossible to ignore.

In my latest article, I explore 5 scientific reasons OCD thoughts feel so real — from overactive error-monitoring circuits to the chemistry that fuels repetitive thinking.

🧠 Discover what’s happening inside your mind when intrusive thoughts take hold — and how understanding this can be the first step toward recovery.

👉 Learn more here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/11/06/ocd-thoughts-feel-so-real/

Discover Why OCD Thoughts Feel So Real. Learn the brain science behind them and how CBT and exposure therapy can help you recover.

05/11/2025

We all have them — those random, shocking, or absurd thoughts that make us ask, “Why would I think that?”

The truth?
Over 90% of people experience intrusive thoughts, and they don’t mean anything about who you are.

In my latest article, I explore 18 of the most bizarre examples and share practical CBT insights on how to stop giving these thoughts power.

💬 You’re not alone. You’re just human.

👉 Tap the link in bio or visit:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/11/05/bizarre-intrusive-thoughts/

05/11/2025

🧠 Discover 18 Bizarre Intrusive Thoughts (You’re Not Alone)

Ever had a sudden, disturbing thought that makes you wonder, “Where on earth did that come from?”
You’re definitely not alone — in fact, more than 90% of people experience unwanted intrusive thoughts.

From imagining the absurd to fearing the impossible, these mental blips don’t say anything about who you are. They’re just thoughts — random, fleeting, and completely human.

In this article, I explore 18 of the most bizarre intrusive thoughts people have shared, why they happen, and how to stop letting them control your emotions.

💬 Read the full article and see why your mind isn’t broken — it’s just being human.

https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/11/05/bizarre-intrusive-thoughts/

CBT therapist Federico Ferrarese explains 18 bizarre intrusive thoughts, why they’re common—not character—and how to respond with ERP

02/11/2025

🌪️ OCD in the Digital Age: 5 Alarming Ways Scrolling Hurts 🌪️

Ever find yourself lost in an endless scroll — jumping from Instagram to TikTok, telling yourself “just one more post”?

For many living with OCD or anxiety, this isn’t just a habit — it’s a digital trap.
👉 Every swipe, notification, and algorithmic “ping” can feed perfectionism, compulsive checking, and rumination.

In my latest article, I explore how doomscrolling, FOMO, and online reassurance-seeking can quietly worsen OCD symptoms — and most importantly, what you can do about it.

💡 Learn how to:
✅ Spot digital compulsions before they spiral
✅ Set healthy screen boundaries that actually stick
✅ Reclaim your focus and peace of mind

🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/11/02/ocd-in-the-digital-age/

Let’s talk about building a healthier relationship with our screens — one mindful scroll at a time.

Discover how scrolling fuels OCD in the digital age with Federico Ferrarese, CBT therapist specialising in OCD and online therapy. Edinburgh

30/10/2025

🧠 “But I don’t wash my hands obsessively, so it can’t be OCD… right?”
I hear this all the time — and it breaks my heart.

So many people live with hidden OCD for years, trapped in mental loops, guilt, and fear, never realising what’s really happening.

OCD isn’t just about handwashing or checking locks — it can look like constant overthinking, rumination, or questioning your very identity.

If you’ve been told it’s “just anxiety” but something still doesn’t feel right, this post is for you.

👉 Swipe through to learn about the 10 little-known types of OCD — and how recognising them can change everything.

Learn more here: www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/10/30/little-known-types-of-ocd/

30/10/2025

🧠 Not all OCD looks the same.

Over the years, I’ve sat across from countless clients who’ve been misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, trauma, or personality disorders. They’ve spent years — sometimes decades — searching for answers.

And when I ask about their daily mental battles — the intrusive thoughts, endless mental checking, reassurance-seeking, or reviewing of past events — I often realise we’re not dealing with “just anxiety.”
We’re dealing with OCD.

But not the kind you see in films or jokes about tidiness.
The hidden kind.

💭 The kind that makes you question your relationships, your morality, your identity, even your own existence.
💭 The kind that happens entirely inside your head — with mental rituals no one else can see.
💭 The kind that’s so misunderstood that it takes, on average, 10–17 years to get properly diagnosed.

That’s why I wrote this new article:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2025/10/30/little-known-types-of-ocd/

In it, I break down the forms of OCD that often go unseen — from Somatic OCD (becoming hyperaware of breathing or heartbeat) to Existential OCD, Relationship OCD, and Identity-based OCDs like Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity OCD.

If you’ve ever felt trapped in relentless mental loops that nobody understands, or if you’ve been in therapy for years but something still doesn’t add up — this might help you finally make sense of what’s happening.

OCD’s lesser-known types are real, treatable, and respond incredibly well to evidence-based therapies like CBT and Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP).

You’re not broken. You’re not alone.
You just need the right kind of help.

🧩 Read the full article and take the first step toward understanding what’s really going on.

Explore 10 Little-Known Types of OCD and their effects on mental health, with insights from an Italian CBT psychotherapist in Edinburgh.