Phil messaged me to ask a simple question; what can he do to fight the inner fight of SO-OCD? He comments that he is in a relationship but constantly gets unwanted, intrusive thoughts telling him to “come out” or otherwise twisting completely neutral thoughts into something he does not want. So, what can he do? He’s doing exposures, but finds that in general he is uncomfortable around gay men. Does that mean something? I offer some tips on how to deal with taboo obsessions, how to apply radical acceptance, and how to use various types of exposures to deal with the obsessions.

To learn more about Sexual Orientation OCD (SO-OCD), check out this article from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center

The post #229- How Can I Fight The Daily Fight Against SO-OCD? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s episode features another amazing interview with someone at the forefront of their field. I had the privilege to interview Dr. Lorna Myers about Functional Neurological Disorder and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures. This may be new to many of this podcast’s listeners, but it is another fascinating dive into how the brain works, and when the brain misfires. Dr. Myers spent a bunch of time sharing what FND and PNES are, who and how they impact, and what we can do to help overcome it! Put on your nerd cap and come along for the ride!

The post #228- Functional Neurological Disorder and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures with Dr. Lorna Myers appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

In light of Mother’s Day, I had a chance to sit down with Dr. Jon Abramowitz and chat about Post Partum and Parinatal OCD, usually abbreviated as PPOCD. Dr. Abramowitz and I discussed the nuts and bolts of PPOCD, how it fits within the general OCD cycle, the impact it has on both new mothers and fathers, and what treatment looks like. As usual, we get distracted by other topics of OCD and Dr. Abramowitz does not disappoint with facts and stats related to diagnosis and treatment concerns. In summary, because people have violent and taboo thoughts, new parents have violent and taboo thoughts, and OCD loves to jump on board and make a mountain out of a mole-hill. However, acceptance, self compassion, and exposure help!

For more on Post Partum and Parinatal OCD (PPOCD), check out this article from the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center

The post #227- Post Partum OCD with Dr. Jon Abramowitz appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

For today’s episode, I answer a question from C. She wants to know what she can do about her dissociation and memory loss when she becomes triggered and/ or overwhelmed with anxiety. What’s worse, she feels this way when she tries to do ERP and wonders whether or not the dissociation will make her efforts toward exposure fruitless. I offer her some ideas on how she can work with her dissociation.

I am also joined by Erika McCoy, an IOCDF advocate, who shares about her passion for Creative Corner. This is an event being held at the upcoming summer IOCDF conference offering space, materials, and encouragement for creative and artistic expression about OCD and the experience of living with, and fighting against, OCD. It was a really fun conversation and a great opportunity for anyone attending the conference!

The post #226- Dealing With Dissociation, and Creative Corner with Erika McCoy appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Jenn wrote to me asking about how she can deal with the feelings of shame and embarrassment after her family has heard the details, and been the recipients of, her compulsive confession, reassurance seeking, and other compulsive behavior. She’s struggling with the shame that happens after years of compulsive vulnerability and wants to know how to put her relationship back together after they’ve seen and heard what they’ve seen and heard.

To address this I revisit shame and OCD, and how people can give themselves compassion, love, and support to let their relationships rebuild. Allowing herself, and her family, to have new interactions and opportunities filled with love and validation will help to off-set the stretch of shame and unworthiness.

The post #225- Shame and Rebuilding Relationships After The Worst Of OCD appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Kallie sent me a question that I’m sure every single person who has listened to this podcast has asked– “Why does OCD feel so real?!” She also asks why her specific subtype keeps showing up despite other subtypes coming and going, so there’s a little something for everyone. This is a tricky question to answer, but I discuss some of the tricks OCD plays on the brain, and how the brain is uniquely susceptible to these tricks, to help us understand this very annoying (or debilitating) phenomenon.

The post #224- Why Does OCD Feel So Real? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s episode includes two questions and two answers, both having to do with memories. For the first question, the listener wants to know what can be done about false memories. So, we have to discuss False Memory OCD and Real Event OCD! The next question is from a listener who struggles with the fear of forgetting what just happened. Their obsession branches out to a lot, and also finds some of its roots in Need To Know OCD! So, lots of memory talk on today’s episode of the FearCast!

The post #223- Fear Of False Memories, and Fear Of Losing Memories appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Max emailed me and asked a question that has never been asked on the FearCast before. He shares that he struggles with Intrusive Musical Imagery, or intrusive mental snippets of songs, and he wants to know how to deal with them. This is a great question that, even Max acknowledges, does not have a lot of information out there. But, I did some research to find some good and helpful information that could be helpful for those of you interested in, or struggling with, Intrusive Musical Imagery.

The post #222- Intrusive Musical Imagery: What Is It, and How Do I Stop It? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s question comes from Rick and Emilie. Rick struggles with feeling terrible over the fact that he even has POCD related thoughts and worries they reflect something terrible about himself. Furthermore, he feels worse now that he doesn’t feel as bad as he did before! What could that mean?! Emilie is similarly struggling with guilt, but the kind rooted in Real Event OCD and False Memory OCD. Did she cheat on her boyfriend? Everyone says ‘no,’ but her OCD says ‘yes.’ Who to believe?!

For more on Pedophile OCD (POCD), check out this article from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center

For more on Real Event OCD, check out this article from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center.

The post #221- What Kind Of A Person Has POCD Thoughts, and What If I Cheated? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s main question comes from a listener who seems to be stuck in a memory from two life events and she cant seem to get herself out of, away from, or past them. She’s tried ERP, but nothing seems to work. But, what if ERP in this instance wasn’t the solution? A OCD Therapist not immediately suggesting ERP?! Outrageous! And yet, what if ERP wasn’t the fix, but instead living and learning would get her past them better?

The post #220- Stuck In A Real Event Obsession: ERP, Or Live And Learn? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.