Blog

Orchard is funding a new research study looking at whether a new medical device can help treat OCD. The study is also looking for OCD patients who would like to participate in it. Researchers are recruiting people with OCD local to Hertfordshire or Southampton in the UK to participate in research investigating effects of transcranial direct […]

The psilocybin study funded by Orchard’s crowdfunding campaign should be ready to launch on 1 February 2021 despite the latest COVID lockdown in the UK. Prof David Nutt, who leads the study, has confirmed that preparations for the study are continuing to make progress, with administrative approvals and the final approved clinical trial protocol expected to […]

A volunteer copywriter and OCD patient at Creative Conscience – a network of writers, designers and animators who support social impact projects around the world – is putting together a campaign called ‘This Is OCD’. The campaign aims to educate people about what OCD is really like – by telling the stories of people who’ve experienced it. The goal […]

OCD is such a complex and misunderstood illness. As a sibling of someone suffering from OCD, it can be so difficult to try and understand what your loved one is going through, and what the right thing to say or not say is. Do you hassle them to try to understand their every thought, or […]

The psychological wellbeing practitioner (pwp) was on the phone reading out a questionnaire to me. “Do you ever feel bad about yourself – or think that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down?” she said. “Everyday”, I sobbed down the other end of the phone. This was my assessment appointment […]

Myth 1: ‘Everyone is a bit OCD’ Truth: There are two parts to OCD: Obsessions: Intrusive thoughts, pictures or urges. Compulsions: These are the actions and behaviours in which sufferers might engage to help release the anxiety caused by the obsessions. There is a distinct difference between compulsive inclinations and obsessive-compulsive behaviours, the most important word being […]

A new online study has been launched to find out how the easing of lockdown restrictions is affecting people’s mental health. A recent survey by mental health charity Mind found that the majority of adults and young people with existing mental health problems reported worse mental health during lockdown. However, there hasn’t been much research […]

We have been mentioned in this New Atlas article that provide a quick overview about the research efforts on psychedelics to treat OCD.Psilocybin & OCD: Can psychedelics treat obsessive compulsive disorder?

This article is written by Dr Ben Harkin. Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University. “Within weeks, the compulsions I had spent years trying to overcome were becoming public health advice” (1). This quote, from Charlie, a 21-year-old patient with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), indicates how the COVID-19 pandemic and associated health messages are exacerbating traits of […]

Caitlan has suffered from OCD for many years. Seven years ago, she and her family moved to a new home, and a few months later, she was able to start a new job. In terms of the OCD she had been struggling with, she was in a relatively good place. New home, new workplace, fresh […]

I would say my life was normal – whatever that is – before ‘it’ hit; happy and living life to the full for the majority of the time.  ‘It’ being the OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  I had always wanted to have a baby and was delighted when I became pregnant with my little baby, […]

Mark is like many people with OCD – kind, caring and intelligent.  Growing up he was a sensitive child and displayed some signs of anxiety.   However, over the years he seemed to grow out of this and achieved outstanding GCSE results. Sadly, in his final year of A levels, that all changed.  Almost overnight and […]