Federico Ferrarese Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

12/02/2026

Have you ever had a thought that scared you?

A sudden image. An urge. A disturbing idea that felt completely against who you are.

And then the fear creeps in…
“What if this means something about me?”

Here’s the truth most people never learn:

Intrusive thoughts are not intentions.
They are not warnings.
And they are not reflections of your character.

In fact, the very reason they disturb you is because they contradict your values.

Nearly everyone experiences intrusive thoughts. But when you don’t understand them, they can create shame, anxiety, and fear.

Understanding the difference between intrusive thoughts and intent can be life-changing.

You are not your thoughts.
You are your choices.

Learn more here:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/12/intrusive-thoughts-4/

Follow for evidence-based insights on OCD, anxiety, and mental health.

12/02/2026

Confronting Intrusive Thoughts vs Intent: A Deep Dive

What if I told you that some of the most disturbing thoughts you’ve ever had… actually say nothing about who you are?

Many people experience sudden, unwanted thoughts about harming someone they love, losing control, or doing something completely out of character. These thoughts can feel terrifying — and often lead people to question their morality, sanity, or safety.

But here’s the truth most people don’t realise:

Intrusive thoughts are involuntary.
They are ego-dystonic — meaning they go against your values, not with them.
And research shows nearly everyone experiences them at some point.

In fact, the very reason these thoughts distress you is because they conflict with who you truly are.

Understanding the difference between intrusive thoughts and genuine intent can be life-changing. It can free you from guilt, fear, and the false belief that your mind defines your character.

You are not your thoughts. You are your choices, your values, and your actions.

If you’ve ever struggled with disturbing or unwanted thoughts, you’re not alone — and there is clarity, hope, and effective help available.

Learn more here:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/12/intrusive-thoughts-4/

Explore the differences between intrusive thoughts and intent with insights from an Italian CBT psychotherapist in Edinburgh.

10/02/2026

Anger and OCD are more connected than most people realise.

Not because anger causes OCD.
But because anger—especially when turned inward—can silently fuel the cycle.

The frustration.
The self-criticism.
The feeling of “Why can’t I just stop this?”

These emotional reactions don’t weaken OCD.
They strengthen it.

Many people with OCD aren’t angry at others.
They’re angry at themselves.

Angry for having intrusive thoughts.
Angry for needing rituals.
Angry for not feeling in control.

But here’s the shift that changes everything:

Your anger isn’t the enemy.
OCD is.

When you stop directing anger toward yourself and start recognising OCD as the real problem, something powerful happens.

You create space.
Space to stop engaging.
Space to stop reacting.
Space to recover.

You don’t need to eliminate anger to heal.
You need to change your relationship with it.

Recovery doesn’t begin when thoughts disappear.
It begins when you stop fighting yourself.

If this resonates with you, the full article explains 5 practical strategies you can start using today.

Read it via the link in bio or here:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/10/anger-driven-ocd/

10/02/2026

Anger-Driven OCD: 5 Effective Strategies to Break Free

“I’m so angry at myself for having these thoughts. Why can’t I just stop them?”

This is something I hear more often than you might expect. And here’s the truth most people don’t realise: anger isn’t just a side effect of OCD—it can actually fuel the obsessive cycle… or become a powerful force for recovery.

Many people with OCD feel intense frustration, shame, or even rage—especially when intrusive thoughts won’t go away. But suppressing anger often makes things worse. It creates internal tension, strengthens compulsions, and keeps you stuck in the same exhausting loop.

The good news? When you understand what’s really happening, anger doesn’t have to be your enemy. It can become a signal—valuable information that helps you break free from OCD’s grip.

In my latest article, I explain:
• Why anger is so common in OCD (and why it’s often overlooked)
• How suppressed anger strengthens obsessive thoughts and compulsions
• The crucial difference between intrusive thoughts and real aggression
• 5 practical, evidence-based strategies to transform anger into recovery fuel

If you or someone you care about struggles with , this insight could completely change how you view anger—and your path forward.

Learn more here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/10/anger-driven-ocd/

You don’t have to fight your . You can learn to use it to reclaim your life.

Discover 5 ways to manage anger-driven OCD with expert insights from an Italian CBT psychotherapist in Edinburgh. Online therapy available.

04/02/2026

Reassurance can feel like a lifeline…
but in OCD and anxiety, it often becomes the very thing that keeps you stuck.

The problem isn’t that you care too much.
It’s that your brain has learned to treat uncertainty as danger.

And no amount of reassurance can fix that long-term.

In my latest article, I explain:
• why reassurance becomes compulsive
• how it reinforces OCD
• and practical scripts to break the cycle

👉 Read it here:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/04/reassurance-seeking/

04/02/2026

Are you stuck in the loop of “Just one more question…” — but it never really helps? 😞

Reassurance seeking can feel comforting in the moment, but for many people with and , it quietly becomes a compulsion that feeds the problem instead of solving it.

If you’ve ever found yourself:

asking the same question again and again,

needing constant validation from others,

or feeling briefly relieved only for the doubt to return stronger…

you’re not alone — and you’re not broken.

In this new article, I explain:
• why reassurance seeking becomes so addictive
• how it reinforces the OCD cycle
• and practical scripts you can use to stop the spiral

It’s about learning to sit with uncertainty, reclaim your confidence, and reduce anxiety in a way that actually works long-term.

👉 Learn more here:

Discover effective scripts to stop reassurance seeking and manage OCD with expert online therapy in English and Italian.

28/01/2026

“Why am I thinking this?”
“Does this mean something about me?”
“Am I dangerous… or just overthinking?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you’re not broken — and you’re not alone.

Almost everyone experiences intrusive thoughts.
But when those thoughts stick, spiral, and start running your life, understanding the difference matters.

In this article, I explain how to tell normal intrusive thoughts from OCD, why the distinction is life-changing, and when it’s time to get support.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/01/28/ocd-or-intrusive-thoughts/

28/01/2026

OCD or Intrusive Thoughts? Expert Signs to Differentiate

“Do I have OCD… or is this just normal?”

That’s a question I hear all the time in my therapy room — and honestly, it’s one many people silently wrestle with at 2am, exhausted and scared by their own thoughts.

Yes, almost everyone has strange, unwanted thoughts.
But when those thoughts stick, cause intense distress, and start demanding mental or physical rituals just to feel “okay” again — that’s when the difference really matters.

In this article, I break down:

Why intrusive thoughts are incredibly common (and what they don’t mean)

The key signs that suggest OCD rather than everyday mental noise

Why it’s not the thoughts themselves, but how your mind responds to them, that changes everything

When it’s time to seek help — and what actually works

Understanding this distinction isn’t academic. It can be life-changing.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/01/28/ocd-or-intrusive-thoughts/

If you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re experiencing is “normal” or something that deserves proper support, this one’s for you. You deserve clarity — and peace of mind.

OCD or Intrusive Thoughts: Uncover the main signs that set apart OCD from intrusive thoughts, guided by an Edinburgh CBT psychotherapist

26/01/2026

Ever felt scared by what your mind throws at you?
Or wondered whether you should ignore your thoughts or dig deeper into them?

Here’s the truth:
intrusive thoughts and repressed emotions are NOT the same — and they need different approaches.

Trying to “control” the mind often backfires.
Trying to “stay positive” can keep emotions buried.

Your mind isn’t broken.
It’s trying to protect you.

If this resonated, save it, share it, and read the full article via the link
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/01/26/intrusive-thoughts-3/

26/01/2026

Intrusive Thoughts vs Repressed Emotions: 8 Revealing Truths

Ever tried to stop a horrible thought… only for it to come back louder? You’re not alone — and you’re not “broken.”

Last week, a client said to me:
“I keep trying to stop these horrible thoughts, but they just get worse. What’s wrong with me?”

I’m Federico Ferrarese, a CBT therapist specialising in OCD and anxiety disorders, and this is one of the most misunderstood (and most relieving-to-learn) parts of psychology:

✅ Intrusive thoughts are incredibly common — and they often show up because you care deeply about what you’d never want to do.
✅ Repressed emotions, on the other hand, can sit quietly beneath the surface for years — and leak out through stress, relationships, or even physical symptoms.
✅ The big twist: trying to suppress thoughts often backfires (your brain basically checks for the thought… by thinking about it).

In this article, I break down the clearest signs you’re dealing with intrusive thoughts vs hidden emotional material — because the right strategy depends on what’s actually happening. For some people, acceptance-based tools (like ACT/ERP) are the key. For others, deeper emotional processing is what finally brings relief.

If you’ve ever felt scared by what your mind throws at you, or confused about whether you should “dig deeper” or “let it pass,” this will give you a grounded framework.

👉 Learn more here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/01/26/intrusive-thoughts-3/

Explore the distinction between intrusive thoughts and repressed emotions. Expert CBT support available online in Edinburgh.

21/01/2026

Ever noticed how your mind can feel busy but you still don’t feel better?
That’s not problem-solving. That’s rumination.

It looks like deep thinking…
but it actually keeps you stuck, anxious, and doubting yourself.

The good news?
You can spot the difference in 60 seconds and start breaking the loop.

If you’ve ever:
– replayed conversations
– overanalysed texts
– worried about “what ifs”
– or felt mentally exhausted for no clear reason

this one’s for you. 💭

Read the full guide and learn how to step out of the spiral:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/01/21/rumination/

21/01/2026

Are you thinking… or just stuck in a mental loop? 🤯

It’s 2am.
You’re replaying a conversation from earlier.
“What if they think I’m incompetent?”
“I should have said something else.”

It feels like problem-solving…
But it might actually be OCD-style rumination — a mental trap that increases anxiety, stress, and self-doubt.

💡 Research across 172 countries shows that how we think about problems causes more distress than the problems themselves.

As a therapist in Edinburgh, I see this every day:
people exhausting themselves with “thinking” that goes nowhere.

That’s why I wrote this simple guide:

Rumination vs. Problem-Solving: A 60-Second Self-Check

You’ll learn:
✔️ How to spot when your mind is looping
✔️ The key difference between real problem-solving and rumination
✔️ Why rumination feels productive (but isn’t)
✔️ Practical tools to stop the spiral and take back control

If you struggle with:

Overthinking



OCD mental compulsions

Constant self-doubt

…this could be a game-changer.

👉 Read the full article here:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/01/21/rumination/

Let’s stop spinning and start living.
What’s one thought you’d like to stop ruminating on today? 💬

Discover key differences between OCD rumination and effective problem-solving in this concise self-check guide.