The OCD Clinic® Malta

A few years ago, after high school, when it came time to choose a university path, I found myself at a crossroads between two of the things that fascinated me the most: Physics and Medicine. Initially, I enrolled in Physics after not passing the entrance exam for Medicine, mainly because I hadn’t dedicated enough time to studying. After a few months, the start of the COVID pandemic and the lockdown worsened my situation significantly. I was so uncertain about my choice of university, about my life, and so weakened by past events that I became stuck. I no longer had the strength to study anything, not even astrophysics, which I had once imagined myself pursuing in the future. I constantly questioned whether I had made the right choice, and no matter how much I discussed it with my loved ones, I felt it wasn’t enough. I had a constant weight in my stomach, and many of my daily actions brought me back to the same doubt: should I continue with Physics or switch to Medicine? Perhaps this was just the tip of the iceberg of obsessive tendencies I had developed over time. I couldn’t set aside my thoughts and focus on studying, even just to finish my first degree in Physics. My father, a strict man when it came to the need to study well and quickly, couldn’t understand how the best student in high school could be experiencing such a slowdown. Through psychotherapy, I began organizing my thoughts on paper, I learned to stop answering so many questions, and when the questions became too numerous, I started learning (and am still learning) how to set them aside. Overthinking drains vital energy and leads nowhere. Some of the phrases that left the biggest impression on me from my therapy sessions were: “Don’t look at the future with the eyes of the present.” “We need to add other things to our routine besides studying.” “Let’s close our eyes to other alternatives and focus on what we have now.” “Avoid asking others for their opinions; no one has the absolute truth.” Over time, I gained the courage to take the leap into the unknown that had scared me, and I enrolled in Medicine. Now I’m in my fourth year. I don’t feel 100% at peace yet, but I recognize the progress I’ve made, and I’ve learned that “experience teaches you what you truly think about something; before that, you can’t know whether you like it or not.” I’m moving forward at my own pace, carrying my doubts with me and discovering what I appreciate little by little. The thought of my university choice rarely crosses my mind anymore. Now I know that, one way or another, I will finish Medicine. I feel that I haven’t completed my journey yet; I still haven’t fully learned how to manage intrusive thoughts and obsessive tendencies, but I know I’m headed in the right direction. The university-related doubt, the reason I started therapy, has disappeared. Now I’ve discovered that some of these tendencies also appear in other areas, and with time, I’ll learn to handle them better. I’m happy I started this process, and I feel like I’m doing something important for myself. The future will take care of itself. I developed a number of avoidances such as rooftop restaurants, heights and balconies from the fear of jumping off. I wasn’t trusting myself. I chose to stay inside more often and avoided going for walks alone or do the things I enjoyed before. At one point I found the courage to look for help. A quick online search brought me to the OCD Clinic. With the help of therapy, I learnt a number of tools to help with not avoiding the thought, but accepting that these will come and that I can react to these differently. A year on from starting OCD Therapy, I can say that it has improved my day-to-day life tremendously. I started trusting myself again and enjoying the pleasures of life without constant fear and anxiety.

Over the years I struggelled with a number of fears, but the one that has impacted me the most is the fear of being suicidal. I developed a number of avoidances such as rooftop restaurants, heights and balconies from the fear of jumping off. I wasn’t trusting myself. I chose to stay inside more often and avoided going for walks alone or do the things I enjoyed before. At one point I found the courage to look for help. A quick online search brought me to the OCD Clinic. With the help of therapy, I learnt a number of tools to help with not avoiding the thought, but accepting that these will come and that I can react to these differently. A year on from starting OCD Therapy, I can say that it has improved my day-to-day life tremendously. I started trusting myself again and enjoying the pleasures of life without constant fear and anxiety.

My OCD theme was about relationships. The fear of being in doubt about loving someone. This led me to several compulsions such as avoiding looking at photos, not going to certain places were I experienced these thoughts & asking other people about their personal relationship to seek reassurance. My strategy was to keep living my normal life even if some days were hopeless. Answering my random thoughts as if I agree with them & also writing them down on paper. This method helped me retrieve my life back by learning to accept that not every thought has a value, that not every thought is real. Seek professional help because there's always light at the end of the tunnel ❤.

OCD used to affect my life horribly, there were days I would dread leaving the house and meeting people. Therapy helped me greatly to find the tools to cope with my obsessive thoughts, and I am very grateful that I received the help that allowed me to control my life again rather than spend all my time worrying and overthinking. Another activity that helped me greatly was meditation, and sitting with myself and my thoughts without performing any compulsions, it was a big part of my journey to finding peace within myself again.

With 5 trips since September (of which one held totally alone) and others planned for next month, I can say that I have fully overcame my problem, and I have also returned to enjoy the Etnaland theme park in my homeland which I had also avoided. It was a key point. Although I resorted to escitalopram, and some CBT sessions, I can say that the technique that allowed me to gain ground was the worst fantasy, applied ad hoc in various circumstances, with great success. Today this technique makes my anxiety disappear in a second or even less. Dr Portelli with her humanity, has guided me in many successes, which occurred very naturally, including this last one. And although I took a moment to reflect, I always applied the techniques she taught me. However, I want to thank you all for putting up with me and guiding me. I would also like to make a small recommendation, that I hope will help those who find themselves in cross roads whether or not to start therapy. Therapy helps you go beyond your created limits.Today's Riccardo goes to the gym, is doing a yoga course, travels, have graduated in his studies, has a fulfilling job, have many rewarding relationships (family, friends, girlfriend) and takes up challenges on a daily basis, as advised by the great Angelo D 'Arrigo.

I have suffered through anxiety all my life... I am very, very grateful to Claudette and The OCD Clinic because with their programme they taught me how to slightly, slowly allow the thoughts to be there, allow them to be in my mind... You will see lots and lots of improvement. Within a few weeks, of course, I saw bigger progress. Nowadays, I thank The OCD Clinic and Claudette because with their guidance, professionalism and teaching, they helped me have a normal life.

I was not doing very well mentally. I was going through a rough patch and luckily Claudette taught me a lot of morals throughout the sessions and how to improve my habits, my eating habits, and just normal habits that you have throughout life. And she really helped me because it's not black and white... I am now in Milan studying fashion in Marangoni and I’m living my best life because of her teachings.

"With work done from my side coupled with the effective techniques that this exceptional psychologist provides; in 2023 I can say that most areas of my life are successfully settled. Dr Portelli was and still is the mind I go to every time I need clarity, encouragement and guidance... I am deeply grateful to Dr Portelli, who is now also my mentor - she was, and still is, a pillar in my holistic self-development."