On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Jonathan Grayson dive into OCD, defining and differentiating it from other mental disorders and “normal” behavior. They discuss the core features of the disorder, which are obsessions and compulsions, and provide multiple examples of how obsessions and compulsions might look in a clinical setting. Dr. Grayson introduces the topic of uncertainty and how it is the core of the problem for those living with OCD due to its contribution to avoidance and behaviors interfering with quality of life. Interestingly, once individuals learn to live with uncertainty as part of OCD treatment, they are actually more tolerant of it than those in the general public. They review treatment for OCD, including exposure and response prevention, and Dr. Grayson identifies common pitfalls with diagnosing and treating OCD, such as the end goal not including tolerance of uncertainty. Numerous client examples are provided along with rationales for Dr. Grayson’s treatment approach for specific obsessions or compulsions.

Resources:

Grayson Center

http://laocdtreatment.com/

Book - Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Personalized-ebook/dp/B0049U4KGM

Book - Is Fred in the Refrigerator

https://www.amazon.com/Fred-Refrigerator-Taming-Reclaiming-Life-ebook/dp/B07CQ66T6F

Book - Everyday Mindfulness for OCD by Jon Hershfield and Shala Nicely, with foreword by Alec Pollard

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XGRB72W/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Other books by Jon Hershfield

https://www.amazon.com/Jon-Hershfield-MFT/e/B00GNT1XVW%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Podcast - The OCD Stories

https://theocdstories.com/

International OCD Foundation

https://iocdf.org/