Dopamine + Doubt: Untangling ADHD and OCD

By Rachel Keefe, LCSW

Dopamine and Doubt is a podcast about the overlap between ADHD and OCD—and what happens when it’s hard to tell which one is driving the behavior.

Hosted by therapist Rache

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FAQs about Dopamine + Doubt: Untangling ADHD and OCD:

How many episodes does Dopamine + Doubt: Untangling ADHD and OCD have?

The podcast currently has 14 episodes available.

Dopamine + Doubt: Untangling ADHD and OCD episodes:

July 21, 2026Stop trying harder- Understanding ADHD and executive function
Have you ever been told you just need to "try harder," "get organized," or "be more disciplined"-only to wonder why those strategies never seem to stick?
In this episode, we unpack what executive function actually is and why ADHD is not a problem with motivation, intelligence, or laziness. Executive function is the brains management system, and when it works differently, everyday tasks can feel much harder than they look from the outside.
We will explore:
What executive functioning is and why it matters
Why ADHD is more than just being distracted
Why trying harder often is not the answer
How shame develops when people misunderstand ADHD
Practical ways to work with your brain instead of against it
Whether you have ADHD, love someone who does, or simply want to better understand how the ADHD brain works, this episode offers a compassionate, practical perspective.
If you enjoyed this episode, consider following the podcast and sharing it with someone who might find it helpful.
Dopamine + Doubt explores the overlap between OCD and ADHD through evidence-based information, real-life examples, and practical strategies. New episodes are released weekly.

Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
How to Connect
Visit the website: https://www.dopamine-and-doubt.com
Become a monthly subscriber and get new episodes five days earlier! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2629683/subscribe
Follow on Instagram: @Dopamineanddoubtpodcast
https://www.instagram.com/dopamineanddoubt/
Email: [email protected]
Love the show? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify-it helps listeners find the show!
Resources from episodes: https://linktr.ee/dopamineanddoubt
...more
12min
July 15, 2026ERP: Learning to Live With Uncertainty
If you have ever felt trapped in a cycle of intrusive thoughts, anxiety, checking, reassurance seeking, or avoiding situations that feel uncomfortable, you may have heard of ERP.
ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is considered one of the most effective treatments for OCD, but it is also commonly misunderstood.
In this episode of Dopamine + Doubt, we break down what ERP actually is, why it works, and how it helps us change our relationship with uncertainty.
ERP is not about forcing yourself to "just stop thinking about it" or convincing yourself that everything will be okay. Instead, its about practicing facing discomfort while choosing not to engage in the bheaviors that keep the OCD cycle going.
In this episode we discuss:
What Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is and is not
The difference between exposure and response prevention
Why reassurance and rituals can unintentionally strengthen OCD
How avoidance keeps anxiety feeling powerful
Why the goal of ERP is not certainty, but learning to tolerate uncertainty
What acceptance has to do with recovery
Why ERP is challenging-but empowering
If OCD has ever convinced you that you need to feel 100% certain before moving forward, this episode is for you.
Listen to Dopamine + Doubt wherever you get your podcasts.
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
How to Connect
Visit the website: https://www.dopamine-and-doubt.com
Become a monthly subscriber and get new episodes five days earlier! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2629683/subscribe
Follow on Instagram: @Dopamineanddoubtpodcast
https://www.instagram.com/dopamineanddoubt/
Email: [email protected]
Love the show? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify-it helps listeners find the show!
Resources from episodes: https://linktr.ee/dopamineanddoubt
...more
14min
July 15, 2026ADHD and OCD: When They Look the Same but Aren't
ADHD and OCD can sometimes look surprisingly similar from the outside. Both can involve feeling stuck, needing systems, struggling with routines, overthinking, or repeating behaviors-but the reason behind those behaviors may be very different.
In this episdoe of Dopamine + Doubt, we explore the overlap between ADHD and OCD and why understanding the function behind a behavior matters.
I share part of my own experience recognizing the difference between ADHD-related challenges and OCD-driven patterns, including how the same action can be motivated by very different things.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why ADHD and OCD are often confused
How teh same behavior can come from different processes
ADHD, executive functioning, attention regulation, and working memory differences
OCD, uncertainty, responsibility, and attempts to gain relief
Why understanding the function of a behavior is more helpful than judging the behavior itself
What it can feel like to live with both ADHD and OCD
How to start asking "What is driving this behavior?"
Why people with both ADHD and OCD may feel like they are constantly pulled in opposite directions
Understanding the difference isnt about labeling every behavior as "ADHD" or "OCD"- it is about finding strategies that actually match what is happening underneath
Listen to Dopamine + Doubt wherever you get your podcasts
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
How to Connect
Visit the website: https://www.dopamine-and-doubt.com
Become a monthly subscriber and get new episodes five days earlier! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2629683/subscribe
Follow on Instagram: @Dopamineanddoubtpodcast
https://www.instagram.com/dopamineanddoubt/
Email: [email protected]
Love the show? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify-it helps listeners find the show!
Resources from episodes: https://linktr.ee/dopamineanddoubt
...more
13min
July 15, 2026Why I Started Dopamine and Doubt
Why did I start Dopamine and Doubt?
Welcome to the very first episode of Dopamine + Doubt! In this episode, I share the personal story behind the podcast, how discovering my own ADHD and OCD changed the way I understood myself, and why these two conditions are so often confused.
Whether you are navigating your own mental health, supporting someone you love, or you are simply curious about the overlap between ADHD and OCD, my hope is that this podcast offers practical tools, relatable stores, and compassionate conversations.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why I decided to start Dopamine and Doubt
My journey with ADHD and OCD
Why these diagnoses are commonly misunderstood
What you can expect from future episodes
Why understanding the "why" behind behavior matters
Thanks fo rlistneing! If this episode resonated with you, I would love fo ryou to follow the show and share it with someone who might find it helpful.
Next episode: ADHD and OCD: When They Look the Same but Aren't
Send us Fan Mail
Support the show
How to Connect
Visit the website: https://www.dopamine-and-doubt.com
Become a monthly subscriber and get new episodes five days earlier! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2629683/subscribe
Follow on Instagram: @Dopamineanddoubtpodcast
https://www.instagram.com/dopamineanddoubt/
Email: [email protected]
Love the show? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify-it helps listeners find the show!
Resources from episodes: https://linktr.ee/dopamineanddoubt
...more
14min

FAQs about Dopamine + Doubt: Untangling ADHD and OCD:

How many episodes does Dopamine + Doubt: Untangling ADHD and OCD have?

The podcast currently has 14 episodes available.