OCD Special: I-CBT - Suicidal Intrusive Thoughts with Therapist Angela Henry

OCD and PANS PANDAS specialist Angela Henry talks about treating OCD using I-CBT. This is a different approach that focuses on doubt – particularly how OCD can make us distrust what we know through our senses and experience.

Rather than starting with “How do I tolerate the anxiety this thought creates?”, I-CBT looks at an earlier step: “How did I come to doubt this in the first place?”

It helps people recognise when OCD is pulling them away from what’s actually happening in the here and now and into imagined possibilities - the endless “what ifs” that can make something feel possible even when there’s no real evidence for it.

She talks about suicidal OCD. This specific subtype involves unwanted and distressing intrusive thoughts or fears about self-harm, rather than a genuine desire to hurt oneself.

Professional help is needed to understand what is happening and ensure the child or young person gets the right treatment. It can be so alarming for parents when their child experiences intrusive thoughts like this. Angela explains them as egodystonic – which means they are against a person's values or wishes. A key marker of OCD thoughts. She is so kind, clear and reassuring. A must-listen.

Angela talks about I-CBT, an emerging treatment for OCD which works by targeting reasoning and distinguishing reality.
I was fascinated to learn more, particularly as it is a good evidence-informed alternative to ERP, which does not always work for neuroimmune children.
Anyway, enough of me. Link in the bio!
If you or your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, please seek medical advice.