Our Principal Clinical Psychologist, Ms. Siew Choo Ting, was featured on Capital 958, a Chinese radio channel, on 11 June 2025, where she shared insights from her experience treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Ms Siew used a powerful metaphor to describe OCD: the brain’s alarm system becomes overactive, sounding constantly even when there’s no real danger. This results in persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) — such as fears of offending deities, contamination, or unlocked doors — which in turn drive repetitive behaviors (compulsions) like excessive checking or hand-washing. These compulsions can become so severe that they may lead to physical harm, such as broken skin.
She emphasized that OCD is different from ordinary worries — it consumes more than an hour a day, is difficult to ignore, and significantly interferes with daily functioning. The condition can take many forms, but the good news is that OCD is highly treatable.
Ms. Siew highlighted Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) as a key psychological treatment. This involves gradually exposing individuals to their fears while helping them resist the urge to perform compulsions, allowing their anxiety to decrease naturally over time. She also noted that antidepressant medications can be beneficial, and that family support is crucial — particularly in encouraging early treatment, and avoiding participation in the person’s compulsive behaviours.
