Get to know OCD

YouTuber Nicole Rafiee has built a community of over a million subscribers by sharing her life experiences in the only way she can: honestly and with pop-culture references galore. But when she was diagnosed with OCD in 2021, Nicole initially vowed to keep it private. In this interview, she opens up about why she decided to break her silence, the challenges of living with OCD, and how sharing her journey has helped both herself and others feel less alone.

If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn more. 

Show notes:

0:00 Intro

1:53 Where Nicole's passion for YouTube started 

4:27 When Nicole found out she had OCD

11:05 Lack of a great portrayal of OCD in media

12:38 How cultural identity influenced Nicole’s OCD diagnosis 

16:42 OCD “manifesting” worldwide issues

22:16 “What if” ruling Nicole’s life

26:00 Life post-ERP therapy

28:24 No compulsion is ever enough

31:49 Nicole's thoughts have become passing moments

34:09 Being open about OCD on YouTube

39:00 OCD mental compulsions go unnoticed by others

43:18 OCD will never give us the answers we want

43:51 Nicole’s advice for those with OCD

46:51 Outro 

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In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, we dive into the topic of "autumn anxiety" and how it impacts individuals with OCD. As the year comes to a close, many of us start reflecting on unmet goals and unfinished plans, but OCD has a way of amplifying these feelings. We discuss the pressures of perfectionism, the seasonal changes that affect mood, and offer practical tips for managing OCD during this time of year. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. Visit https://learn.nocd.com/YT to learn more.

Show notes:

0:00 Intro

0:49 Fall-time anxiety

1:41 Unmet goals

2:33 Get outside

3:06 Think about next year's plans

3:55 Mental trick for treating yourself

5:31 Don't use OCD as a motivator

6:22 Celebrate yearly achievements 

7:43 A big reminder

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Stuart Ralph is the host of the The OCD Stories podcast — a series that broke ground when it debuted in 2015. Stuart has interviewed almost 500 people for his show, but now we turn the tables and interview him. He talks about having his first intrusive thoughts at the age of 7, almost quitting the podcast, specializing in therapy for adolescents, and more. Don't miss this deep dive into Stuart’s personal journey and professional insights!

If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. Visit https://learn.nocd.com/YT to learn more.

Note: This interview was filmed at the 29th Annual OCD Conference in Orlando.

Show notes:
0:00 Intro

1:39 Stuart’s lived with OCD since he was 7

4:10 OCD Stories podcast broke ground 

6:57 What Stuart is up to now 

8:05 Treating young people with OCD

9:26 How Stuart uses his own experience to help those with OCD 

11:50 How Stuart developed his podcast 

15:56 What’s next for the OCD Stories podcast 

16:56 Balancing a career and everyday life while having OCD

19:28 Recurring OCD themes Stuart hears on the podcast and while treating others 

21:56 Stuart returning to the location where his OCD started 

23:16 What people say to Stuart when they meet him 

24:33 How Stuart found treatment for himself 

26:48 OCD usually doesn’t travel by itself 

28:26 Managing crises with OCD

30:50 How Stuart wants to be seen in 25 years 

32:49 What does Stuart’s “billboard” say?

33:59 How does OCD affect someone’s ability to love?

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Got a friend or family member with OCD and not sure how to help? In this video, we’re breaking down simple, effective ways to offer real support without overwhelming them. Whether it’s knowing what to say or understanding what they’re going through, these tips will help you be there for your loved one when they need it most.

Show notes:
0:00 Intro

3:06 Exposure

4:10 Response Prevention

6:34 Non OCD Example

8:30 Open dialogue 

10:39 Support yourself too

12:23 Seek help

13:54 Watching this video is trying

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Millie Farrow's football career has taken her around the world. Joining her on the journey, step for step, has been OCD. The pressures of being a professional athlete are immense, and her condition has only added to the challenges. Fresh off the release of her book "Brave Enough Not To Quit", Millie shares the highs and lows of her journey in this special episode of the Get to Know podcast.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

1:35 Football or soccer?

2:12 Being open about OCD

5:39 Becoming a professional athlete while having OCD

9:04 OCD latching onto playing injuries

10:59 Struggling to get proper treatment

15:07 Therapy is for anyone

16:21 Why Millie was inspired to share her story

19:41 OCD latching on to uncertainty in sports and life

23:15 How obsessive cleaning affected Millie’s life

28:55 How Millie got help

34:01 The key of ERP

35:23 Millie wouldn’t change her experience

37:24 Friends denying the importance of mental health

39:55 Advice to others going though the struggles Millie did

42:23 You’re not alone

43:55 Finding someone who supports and understands your condition 

46:15 How Millie’s life has changed from then to now

49:25 Millie reads from her book

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OCD doesn’t like to show up alone. In fact, it often brings “friends” along — other mental health conditions that can tag along and make life even more challenging. This is called comorbid OCD. In today’s video, we’re going to dive into the most common conditions that often accompany OCD and what that means for those who are managing it.
 
 0:00 What is comorbid OCD

2:02 Tic Disorders

2:37 Hoarding

3:13 Trichotillomania

3:59 Excoriation disorder 

4:23 Depression

5:30 Anxiety

6:48 PTSD

7:17 Phobia

8:09 Social anxiety disorder

9:13 Generalized anxiety disorder 

10:17 It’s NOT schizophrenia 

11:50 Treating these conditions 

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Social media influencer Camaryn Swanson spent seven months in silence with a severe case of harm OCD. At first, she had no idea what she was facing — but now, she’s opening up about her journey, the struggles, and how it’s shaped her into a stronger person. Hear Camaryn’s heartfelt account and discover how she’s using her experience to inspire others.

Show notes:
0:00 Intro

1:36 Camaryn’s Elements brand

2:27 Camaryn’s OCD journey before she knew it was OCD

5:19 The TikTok video that triggered Camaryn’s obsessive thoughts

12:46 How Camaryn found out she had OCD

19:49 Reflecting on intrusive thoughts after therapy

22:14 OCD can distort your reality 

26:36 OCD’s favorite phrase

29:06 How real Camaryn’s OCD felt

30:00 The doubting disorder

31:34 How Camaryn balances her career and treatment

35:37 Strange thoughts are normal

36:13 Camaryn’s ERP experience

41:34 Life after treatment

44:05 Living with OCD can be unrelatable to others 

46:47 “I’m so OCD” and the stigma

49:23 A message of hope

51:55 Camaryn’s future aspirations

54:24 Having a strong support system

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One of our own NOCD therapists, Saraa Lee, joins us on this episode of the Get to know OCD podcast. Treating OCD from a cultural lens is one of Saraa's many specialties. 

She believes our culture can shape our identities as it has hers, as well as influence how we do or don't treat OCD. In this candid interview, she opens up about her challenging upbringing and offers deep insights into her approach to helping others manage OCD. Saraa leaves no stone unturned, delivering a powerful conversation about the intersection of culture and mental health.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

1:19 Saraa’s own story

7:48 Why Saraa HAD to be a therapist

9:56 What Saraa has learned from being a therapist

12:26 What happens when someone resists Saraa's therapy

17:26 Creating space to be vulnerable

21:19 Not making assumptions based on culture 

25:41 OCD IS treatable 

27:23 Saraa’s intrusive thoughts about race

36:50 Culture and ancestry creating distrust in therapy

45:36 ERP Therapy

49:40 Existing in the vanguard

53:19 How an OCD therapist and talk therapist differ

55:50 Saraa’s message to aspiring therapists

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The harsh reality is this — OCD can't be cured. However, it can be treated and it can be managed through therapy, medications, and more. In this video, we quickly explain the most proven ways to treat OCD symptoms. It may feel like help isn't available, but believe us, there is and we explain in this video. 

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

0:37 Exposure Response Therapy

4:17 Medications

6:24 Higher Levels of Care

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Author, long-time YouTuber, peer support specialist — Chrissie Hodges is an OCD advocate in every sense of the word. She’s made advocacy her life’s work after struggling with the disorder and taboo intrusive thoughts her entire life. In this revealing interview, Chrissie gets brutally honest about OCD. 

Please note: This podcast briefly mentions suicidal ideation. NOCD is not a crisis service. If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to connect to the Suicide & Crisis Hotline.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

1:32 Chrissie’s Background

2:42 If OCD Was An Animal

3:53 Treatment Doesn’t Equal Cure 

6:10 Relapse Is Normal

7:27 What Chrissie Wishes She Knew 25 Years Ago

13:07 Being Open About Taboo Topics

20:17 Why Chrissie Is An OCD Advocate 

22:39 Being Misdiagnosed 

27:25 Why Does OCD Attack Things We Love

30:35 Why OCD Is So Real

34:09 Logic Is The Problem

37:06 ERP Is Predictable

39:44 What Chrissie Wants To Be Remembered For

40:32 How OCD Has Affected Chrissie’s Family Life

44:35 Chrissy’s Advice To Those Struggling With OCD

47:51 Taboo Intrusive Thoughts

52:22 Chrissie’s OCD Gamechangers Program

54:46 Chrissie’s Advice To Herself

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