For this first episode of 2026, I am answering a Sensorimotor OCD question from Dave. However, as many FearCast questions go, this one also applies to a great many other people struggling with OCD. In addition to wanting to how he can manage his obsessions, he wants to know whether or not he should avoid others out of fear that he may take on their Sensorimotor obsession, or should he wait until he is more resilient. I offer him some suggestions on how to approach building his resiliency as he continues fighting his symptoms and discuss ways he can practice acceptance, redirection, and confidence building that applies to all struggling with anxiety.

For more about Sensorimotor OCD, check out this article from the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center.

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For the last episode of the year, I’m going to answer two, that’s right TWO, listener questions. These two questions from Rubi and Emily. They both share very personal obsessions that don’t get talked about a lot, so I’m really honored to have a chance to speak with them. First, Rubi shares her struggle with Self Harm OCD and whats to know some practical ways she can deal with them. After that, I address Emily’s question. She has noticed a rise of Limerence that has directed itself toward her therapist. How can she continue working with her therapist and making progress while battling this growing obsession?

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Ed recently sent in an audio question where he expressed a fear of being socially humiliated. This fear was triggered during a conversation with a group of friends where he feared that he would be humiliated later on. So, Ed did the most reasonable thing; ruminate, and later send me this question. I discuss this fear broadly as a worry that straddles the line between OCD and Social Anxiety while focusing on using CBT, Exposure and Response Prevention, and some mindfulness to help him deal with this fear.

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Today’s episode is an exciting one! Kimberley Quinlan and Chris Trondsen joined me to talk about their new program focused on Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). These two experts on BDD, eating disorders, and OCD (and pretty much everything else, too) discuss the differences between treating OCD and BDD, and why specialized treatment for BDD is necessary in a way that is encouraging, positive, light, and direct. Together they share stories of people struggling with BDD and offer ideas on what treatment can look like for others struggling with their BDD. This was a fun conversation and I always come away learning so much myself.

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Nathan Peterson, therapist, youtuber, educator, and now author, joined me on this episode to talk about his upcoming book and upcoming video program on Tics and Tourettes Syndrome. He was such a delightful guest who was kind enough to come on to share his thoughts on OCD treatment, making recovery feel achievable, and helping people looking for easy to use and understand resources. Nathan’s videos have helped untold amounts of people with his straightforward and encouraging messaging about how to face OCD and anxiety without feeling overwhelmed and pressured.

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Tina recently reached out to ask a question about what she thinks is Partner Focused ROCD. She struggles with obsessions about her partner and is looking for approval from her friends and others about the relationship. She also finds herself ruminating about her partner and various minutia of their appearance and mannerisms. I talk about a little about what Partner Focused ROCD is and offer her some guidance on what she could consider moving forward.

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Melody sent me an audio question recently. She wants to know what she can do to best help her boyfriend who is struggling with health anxiety. He is just starting therapy, but she wants to know some best practices on what she can do to be a helpful partner. How great is that?! To answer this, I try to highlight the importance of communication between her and her boyfriend and working together to establish clear boundaries of what she can do and what she’s not willing to do to be supportive. I also discuss the importance of knowing about health anxiety so she isn’t surprised when anxiety tries to weasel its way into the relationship.

For more on Hypochondria and Health Anxiety, check out this article from the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center.

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I got an audio question from Burrito John who wanted to know he can deal with a situation. He’s obsessing about whether he actually liked someone, or whether he was just obsessing and didn’t. He is worried he made it awkward with his co-worker and now wonders whether he and trust his intuition about whether he genuinely likes someone or whether OCD is just clouding his judgment. This question comes up in a lot of different ways so I’m glad John asked it.

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Jeffrey messaged me and wanted to know how to forgive himself for his obsessions and past choices so he can finally move on with his life past the grip of SO-OCD. His question has a lot going on, and includes elements of shame and guilt from his past behaviors, doubt and confusion about motivations for said actions, confusion about titles and identity, and a struggle with a sticky comment made by someone when young that served as the basis for his obsession. I do my best to address some of these issues and help him see how his obsession was created, how it persists, and how he can try to let himself off the hook and move on with his life.

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

The post #249- How Choices When Young Help SO-OCD Haunt You Later appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Dan reached out with an audio question to ask about what he can do when his interests and values happen to also be the focus of his obsession. Hijacking your values, hobbies, and interests is a really common tactic of OCD, but does that mean you have to give it all up to get better? What happens then if you value intimacy in a relationship? Is Dan doomed? I discuss what people can do to grow their awareness about their obsessions and how to short circuit the obsession/ compulsion cycle when it hits. However, I also discuss some other, broader, relationship considerations that may be at play.

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