OCD stands for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder — but it's far more misunderstood than most people realize. In this first episode of the series, Natasha breaks down the two core building blocks of OCD (obsessions and compulsions), explains what makes obsessions distinct from ordinary worry, and introduces the wide range of subtypes OCD can take — many of which go unrecognized because they don't match the disorder's public stereotype. Future episodes will dig into specific subtypes, along with how common OCD is and what its course tends to look like over time.

In this episode:

• What OCD actually stands for, and its two core parts
• The difference between obsessions (thoughts) and compulsions (actions)
• What "ego-dystonic" means, and why it matters for understanding OCD
• Why contamination and symmetry OCD dominate public perception — and why that's misleading
• A tour of lesser-known subtypes, including Harm OCD, POCD, and emotional contamination