Get to know OCD

Dr. Patrick McGrath and Michelle Massi bring 45 years of combined experience to this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, where they get into the state of OCD treatment today.You’ll discover why failure can pave the way for progress, how feeding compulsions derails recovery, and why leaning into discomfort is key to reclaiming your life. Packed with practical wisdom and candid insights, this conversation is a must-hear for anyone affected by OCD — whether you’re struggling yourself or supporting a loved one.Has your OCD recovery journey hit a wall recently? Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to get perspective from our experts on how to treat yourself. Show notes:0:00 Intro4:55 How failure led Michelle and Patrick to becoming therapists 7:37 Differences between residential, PHP and IOP treatments 12:17 Why someone might need higher level of care 15:35 Encouraging OCD patients to be accountable to treatment 19:23 OCD is never satisfied 20:38 Common questions Michelle gets21:43 Family treatment can be complicated28:50 ERP principles are life principles 36:05 What’s the “right” thing to do?38:40 The role families play in OCD accommodation 41:53 The importance of evidence-based care45:00 Learned helplessness 48:85 We’re allowed to be imperfect 49:48 Michelle’s future Follow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OCD in children isn’t always easy to spot — it can appear as perfectionism, relentless checking rituals, or overwhelming fears about safety. Without the right support, it can quietly take over not only the child’s life but the entire household.In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath dives into the subtle yet disruptive ways OCD manifests in kids. He breaks down the telltale signs and offers advice for parents, including the benefits of exposure and response prevention therapy.If you think your child might have OCD, know this: treatment is available. Visit learn.nocd.com/podcast to connect with a licensed OCD therapist and explore treatment options.Follow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dating in the modern age feels hard enough — add anxiety and OCD, and it can feel overwhelming. Dating coach Sabrina Zohar knows the struggle firsthand, living with anxiety. In this episode of Get to Know OCD, Sabrina shares her insights on navigating the dating world with these unique challenges.With her signature candor, Sabrina unpacks the reality of dating apps, the art of bringing up mental health in relationships without fear, and even the empowering side of rejection. She also reminds us that, sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is just show up as we are.Is OCD getting in the way of your dating life? Visit learn.nocd.com/YT to explore treatment options that can help.Show notes:0:00 Intro 1:59 Sabrina’s background4:12 Mental health issues and dating 8:31 Working through relationship OCD 11:50 Five safety behaviors to look out for16:58 Everyone has “baggage” 22:01 “Off” days when dating  23:06 Dating app anxiety 26:37 Need you vs. want you 28:14 Dealing with the loss of a significant relationship 30:06 Risk vs. reward 32:11 Managing OCD-fueled doubt in a relationship 36:35 Top tips for dating for those with chronic conditions 40:16 How to keep a relationship thriving 43:37 Being able to be honest in a relationship 44:08 Sabrina’s final takeaway Follow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever feel like health worries are taking over? Like every ache or pain needs immediate attention? If so, this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast is for you. Today, we’re joined by Josh Spitalnick and Michael Stier, co-authors of The Complete Guide To Overcoming Health Anxiety.Josh and Michael break down the difference between real medical symptoms and the “what if” thoughts that health anxiety loves to create. From that “urgent” need to call a doctor to the constant dread of something being wrong, they’re here to show why facing those fears — rather than panicking at them — might just bring the relief you need.Treating health-related anxieties and OCD often overlap. Check out https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to see if you could use help from our experts in evidence-based treatment. Show notes: 0:00 Intro1:44 Josh and Michael’s background2:59 Writing a book together6:40 What is health anxiety?10:01 Difference between health anxiety and OCD with health themes 12:10 Ways to treat health anxiety26:36 Cold and flu season anxiety 31:55 Unknown callers are like thoughts35:17 Cognitive tools to treat health anxiety 43:49 Forming a relationship with physical symptoms 49:48 Using humor to treat anxieties 54:03 Where to get Josh and Michael’s bookFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We get OCD-related questions all the time — in our comment section, emails, webinars, in-person therapy, and more. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath answers real questions he most often gets. He covers everything from ERP to dream states, and everything inbetween.Have more OCD-related questions? Check out our content library for more answers to our most-frequently-asked questions: https://learn.nocd.com/ocd-library Show notes: 0:36 Question one2:50 Question two4:25 Question three8:50 Question four10:02 Question five11:31 Question six14:06 Question seven Follow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OCD representation in movies, shows, and media often misses the mark, pairing misinformation with laugh tracks and stereotypes. These portrayals often stick, leading to widespread misunderstandings and even misdiagnoses of this complex disorder.In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Patrick sits down with therapist Nathan Peterson, who has over a decade of experience treating OCD and anxiety. Together, they break down popular clips from Friends, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and HBO's Girls to reveal what the media gets wrong about OCD — and the rare moments it gets right.Want to better understand OCD? Not only your symptoms, but how to treat them? Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn more about our evidence-based treatment.Follow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You do NOT have to beat yourself up for having OCD. In fact, according to therapist and anxiety expert Kimberly Quinlan, self-compassion — not self-punishment — is the real path to healing. Kim, who has literally written the book on compassion, knows firsthand how powerful kindness can be in breaking the relentless cycle of compulsions, fear, and doubt. In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Kim draws on her personal journey through eating disorder recovery and her work with OCD clients to show why you don’t have to be your own worst critic. If you’ve ever struggled with self-blame, Kim’s message of compassion is sure to resonate.Show notes:0:00 Intro1:42 Kim’s background4:46 Overlap between anxiety and eating disorders7:42 Self-compassion for OCD recovery10:14 The power of compassion when dealing with other disorders13:53 Kim’s definition of self compassion16:39 The biggest roadblock to self-compassion22:43 Can self-compassion become a compulsion? 25:51 The role mindfulness plays in treatment 29:50 Why Kim bought herself a van33:19 Letting loved ones suffer38:15 Advice for parents41:54 Did DSM get the definition of OCD wrong?44:11 How Kim practices what she preaches 46:06 Taking the first step to get help Follow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore how OCD manipulates our desire for control during uncertain times. Discover that compulsions can't solve problems or guarantee certainty. Learn to recognize the lies OCD tells, such as making you feel responsible for unpredictability. Embrace everyday uncertainties without giving in to compulsive behaviors. Patrick emphasizes the emotional tactics of guilt and shame used by OCD. Ultimately, he encourages a life enriched by acceptance of doubt and the pursuit of evidence-based help.

Imagine waking up one day, and nothing feels right. Life as you knew it — your career, your family, your joy — starts slipping away, replaced by relentless, intrusive thoughts. This is the reality Erica Lugo, fitness coach and former Biggest Loser trainer, faced when she was blindsided by a diagnosis that changed everything: OCD. In this eye-opening episode of Get to Know OCD, Erica shares the raw and vulnerable truth behind her battle with OCD, the therapy sessions that pushed her to the brink, and the moments of doubt that nearly derailed her. But through it all, Erica found a way to “live on my terms, not OCD’s.” Now she’s on a mission to break OCD stereotypes and educate other women about the twisted nature of onset OCD. Don’t miss Erica’s powerful message on living life beyond OCD’s grip and reclaiming the joy you thought you’d lost forever.If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://learn.nocd.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.Show notes:0:00 Intro1:45 Erica’s fitness background3:37 OCD struck Erica seemingly overnight 6:30 Erica struggled with ERP at first8:20 Just how real OCD felt to Erica10:36 OCD never tells you the truth14:01 “I’m so OCD” bugs Erica16:02 Hormone changes can lead to onset OCD18:11 Erica’s intrusive thoughts while pregnant 20:37 “What if OCD comes back?”24:50 OCD has no end30:32 Why Erica is such an advocate for women’s health33:11 Educating family members about OCD37:41 The downside of speaking publicly about OCD39:36 Erica’s advice to those struggling with OCDFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stanford researcher Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez is at the forefront of OCD treatment and care. In this episode of the Get to Know Podcast, Dr. Rodriguez gives us a look at new treatments for OCD. She tells us what’s still the gold-standard treatment but also new research areas to treat OCD, including improv and psychedelics. If you want a look into the future of OCD treatment, you’re in the right place!If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://learn.nocd.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.Show notes:0:00 Intro1:14 Carolyn’s background 2:11 What Carolyn’ superpower is4:07 Being a role model for others6:40 Helping those with OCD is Carolyn’s passion9:25 Could MDMA help with OCD?12:29 Mentors paved the path for Carolyn15:20 Latest psychedelics research on OCD19:50 What Patrick learned from a comedy class21:19 What’s next for Carolyn’s lab and research24:51 Surgical therapy for OCD25:43 Overlap between OCD and hoarding disorder30:02 What Carolyn wants her legacy to be31:10 Treatment resistance34:35 Medication for OCD35:31 Advice from Carolyn Follow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.