Get to know OCD

A lot of people with OCD come out of Thanksgiving weekend feeling guilty, behind, or convinced they “should have” used the time differently. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath explains how quickly OCD can take an ordinary Thanksgiving — the travel, the exhaustion, the unfinished tasks waiting at home — and turn it into a narrative that you didn’t do enough or aren’t trying hard enough. He also shares three practical tips to help if this is the mental loop you find yourself in after the holiday weekend.NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Thanksgiving has a way of triggering OCD in places you don’t expect. A small doubt about the food, the table setup, or how an interaction “should” feel can snowball into a spiral before you realize it’s happening. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath breaks down why the holiday pressure sharpens those reactions and lays out what you can do when your brain starts pulling you into an endless loop.NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Automatic mental compulsions are one of the easiest ways OCD pulls you in without warning — you don’t plan them, you don’t choose them, and half the time you don’t even notice they’ve started. One moment you’re living your day, and the next you’re ten layers deep into replaying a conversation, solving a fear, or trying to think your way to certainty. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath explains why OCD makes these loops feel automatic and how to “undo” a mental compulsion by ending it in doubt instead of reassurance. NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Paige DeAngelo used to look at her anxiety and rituals as the engine behind everything she accomplished. When she pushed through dance rehearsals, launched her mascara business, or chased new opportunities, she assumed the pressure in her chest and the constant mental checking were part of what kept her sharp and driven. OCD made her believe she’d lose her edge the moment she loosened her grip.Once she was diagnosed and began therapy, that belief disappeared fast. Paige started seeing how much OCD had actually been shrinking her life — limiting her decisions, draining her time, and turning every goal into something she had to “protect” instead of enjoy. In this conversation, she breaks down how treatment helped her separate her ambition from her compulsions, let go of the fear that she needed OCD to succeed, and finally experience her work and relationships without being controlled by them.Paige managed her OCD with Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the most effective treatment for OCD. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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 rarely ever shows up on its own. Many people experience anxiety disorders alongside it, including panic, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and somatic anxiety. In this video, NOCD therapist Shauna Pichette breaks down why comorbidity is so common with OCD, making it hard to truly know what you're suffering from.NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Most people think OCD is just about cleaning, germs, or being organized — but that’s only a small part of it. In reality, OCD can latch onto anything: your faith, your relationships, your memories, even questions about existence itself. These hidden subtypes can make people feel confused, ashamed, or convinced that no one else could possibly understand what’s happening in their mind. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath breaks down the lesser-known types of OCD and why they all follow the same cycle of fear and doubt.NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Braden Smith built his NFL career by overpowering defenders every Sunday as an offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts. But away from the field, he was fighting something he couldn’t see — intrusive thoughts about his faith that wouldn’t stop looping in his mind. The constant what-ifs drained his joy, his focus, and the peace he once felt in the things he loved most.In this interview, Braden opens up about his journey with OCD, the unexpected paths that led him toward recovery, and what he’s learned about real strength, which sometimes means putting down the armor and asking for help.NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Sometimes OCD makes you afraid of your own thoughts. You don’t want to hurt yourself — but your mind won’t stop asking, what if I did? That fear can feel overwhelming and isolating, but it’s actually a form of OCD called suicidal OCD. In this video, Tracie Ibrahim and Dr. Patrick McGrath talk about what that really means, how it’s different from suicidal intent, and what treatment looks like for people living with these scary, intrusive thoughts. All thoughts of suicide or self-harm should be taken seriously. If you or someone you know has reported thoughts of self-harm, please call 911 or contact your local emergency room number immediately. In the United States, you may also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line. This line is available to you all day, every day.NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Jen Wiles remembers the fear more than anything — not just the thoughts themselves, but the silence that came with them. She was terrified of what her mind was saying, ashamed to tell anyone, and convinced no one would understand. From the outside, she looked fine. Inside, she was breaking.In this video, Jen opens up about what it was really like to live with harm OCD in secret, how it twisted her love for her family into fear, and the moment she finally found the right kind of help.NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Most therapy isn’t designed for OCD — and that’s the problem. A lot of therapists mean well but use approaches that make symptoms worse, not better. That’s why specialized treatment matters. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath explains what separates general talk therapy from real OCD care, and why Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the only evidence-based way to break the cycle.NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Tom Smalley grew up chasing athletic success, but behind his drive was a constant mental battle he didn’t yet understand. At sixteen, he was diagnosed with OCD, a condition that turned every game, practice, and routine into a fight against his own mind. What started as private suffering became a lifelong mission to change how athletes and the world see mental health.Today, Tom is the founder of Struggle into Strength Performance and the recipient of the IOCDF Hero Award. Through his work with the Anxiety in Athletes initiative, co-founded with the IOCDF, he’s helping break the silence around OCD and anxiety in sports. In this conversation, Tom shares how he turned stigma into strength — and why no athlete should have to face their mental health alone.NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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 and ADHD are often misunderstood — and when they overlap, it can be even more confusing. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath breaks down how the two conditions interact, where they differ, and what treatment looks like when you’re managing both. He also explains how to recognize the overlap between intrusive thoughts, impulsivity, and attention struggles, plus why Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and structured behavioral support are key to long-term recovery. NOCD specializes in ERP therapy, the most effective treatment against the disorder. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Sarah Jeffery’s acting career has spanned hit shows and films like Charmed and Descendants. On screen, she looked fearless. But behind that was a mind that wouldn’t stop asking, what if I forget how to act? what if I freeze? Sarah’s OCD twisted her love of acting into fear, making her question her abilities and even her place in the industry.In this interview, Sarah shares what that experience was really like — the pressure, the doubt, and the slow process of learning to perform without perfection. It’s a side of her story that’s rarely seen, one that shows how even in the spotlight, OCD can quietly take center stage.NOCD specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the most effective treatment against the disorder. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

For some people struggling with OCD, specialized weekly therapy isn’t enough. The symptoms can be too intense, the progress too slow, or the support just not consistent enough to make a real change. That’s where higher levels of care could be in play. In this video, clinician Lori Johnson and Dr. Patrick McGrath explain what intensive programs like IOP and PHP actually look like, who they’re for, and why needing more help doesn’t mean you’re failing — it just means you’re ready for the next step toward recovery.At NOCD, we specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the most effective treatment against the disorder. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

J Aubrey built a big following on YouTube for his deep-dive documentaries — but behind the scenes, his creative process was being hijacked by OCD. What looked like perfectionism to his viewers was actually hours of re-recording lines, re-editing scenes, and chasing a feeling that something finally “felt right.” The same mind that made him meticulous as a storyteller was also trapping him in endless cycles of anxiety and self-doubt.In this interview, J Aubrey opens up about how OCD nearly took away the thing he loved most — creating. He shares how therapy helped him break the compulsive patterns that controlled his work, what recovery really looks like, and how he’s learning to create with freedom again.J Aubrey credits Exposure and Response Prevention therapy for helping manage his OCD. If you want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

It’s frustrating to spend time and money on therapy and feel like nothing is changing. For people with OCD, this happens all the time — often because the wrong therapy approach is being used, or because the real work isn’t happening outside of the sessions. In this video, Tracie Ibrahim shares her own story of being misdiagnosed as a child, learning why traditional therapy didn’t help, and how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) finally gave her the tools to manage OCD in daily life. She explains why therapy isn’t about magic words or quick fixes, but about learning strategies you can practice every day to take your life back from OCD.At NOCD, we specialize in ERP therapy, the gold-standard treatment for OCD. To book a free 15-minute call today, visit https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Chelsea Risko spent over three decades living with fear, shame, and doubt she couldn’t name. From childhood worries to intrusive thoughts on her wedding day, OCD shaped her life in ways she didn’t understand. It all came crashing down in 2021, when she was hit with terrifying self-harm thoughts that made her question everything — even though she loved her life and family. That moment left her desperate for answers, and for the first time, she discovered what OCD really was.Finding the right help changed everything. Through Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Chelsea began to face the fears that once controlled her and found the freedom she had been missing for so long. In this episode, she shares her journey from fear to recovery, the strength she discovered along the way, and why she now speaks out to break the stigma around OCD and give others hope.At NOCD, we specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the gold-standard treatment for OCD. To book a free 15-minute call today, visit https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Not all therapy works for OCD — in fact, the wrong approach can actually make symptoms worse. Too often, people are told to rely on deep breathing, relaxation, distraction, or reassurance to manage intrusive thoughts. These techniques may bring short-term relief, but they don’t stop OCD from tightening its grip. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath explains why those common strategies fail and what real, evidence-based OCD treatment looks like.At NOCD, we specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the most proven treatment for OCD. If you’ve tried therapy before and felt like it wasn’t working, you’re not alone — most approaches miss the mark. Our licensed therapists know how to treat OCD directly so you can stop feeding the cycle and start living the life you want. Book a free 15-minute call today at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Most people think OCD treatment is just meeting with a therapist once or twice a week. But what happens when that’s not enough?In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Dr. Patrick McGrath sits down with Lori Johnson — a clinician who has worked in every level of care, from inpatient hospitals to outpatient therapy. They explain what “higher levels of care” really mean, including intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and residential treatment. Lori shares her journey from working in addiction centers to leading OCD programs, and explains how these different options give people the support they need without always requiring a hospital stay.At NOCD, we specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the most effective treatment against the disorder. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.

Emily Barth Isler grew up believing her anxious, obsessive thoughts were just part of being an artist. Like so many, she bought into the myth that suffering fuels creativity. For years, that belief kept her from seeking help — until she realized the opposite was true.Today, Emily is a successful author and writer who credits therapy and medication for giving her the clarity and freedom to put words to paper. In this conversation, she shares how OCD once controlled her life and how she learned to see its patterns differently. At NOCD, we specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, the most effective treatment against the disorder. Want to explore your treatment options? Book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow 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.