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OCD, Anxiety & Intimacy: Why We Don't Talk About It (But We Should) - An Encore Episode
What if the thoughts you were most ashamed of weren’t actually you—but symptoms of OCD?
And what if those thoughts were silently sabotaging your intimacy, relationships, and sense of self?
Most people think OCD is only about handwashing and perfectionism—but what happens when it shows up in your sex life, your relationships, or the thoughts you’re terrified to say out loud?
In this episode, I’m joined by licensed clinical social worker Sarah Hazleton to explore the lesser-known faces of OCD, including relationship OCD, sexual intrusive thoughts, and “Pure O.” We talk about how OCD hijacks intimacy, triggers shame, and convinces people they are their thoughts—when they’re not.
Sarah explains what OCD actually is, why intrusive thoughts are so common (and so misunderstood), and the gold-standard treatment that works: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). We also discuss how to find the right therapist, red flags to watch for, and why traditional talk therapy can actually make OCD worse.
If you or someone you love has ever thought:
❌ “What if I secretly don’t love my partner?”
❌ “What if I’m attracted to the ‘wrong’ person?”
❌ “What if my thoughts mean something is deeply wrong with me?”
—this episode is the one you’ve been waiting for.
🧠 Article referenced: https://www.verywellmind.com/impact-of-ocd-on-sex-life-5086811
🌿 Connect with Sarah: https://www.hazeltoncounseling.com
Released in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Because intrusive thoughts don’t make you broken—they make you human. And help is possible.
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By Gwyn IsaacsWhat if the thoughts you were most ashamed of weren’t actually you—but symptoms of OCD?
And what if those thoughts were silently sabotaging your intimacy, relationships, and sense of self?
Most people think OCD is only about handwashing and perfectionism—but what happens when it shows up in your sex life, your relationships, or the thoughts you’re terrified to say out loud?
In this episode, I’m joined by licensed clinical social worker Sarah Hazleton to explore the lesser-known faces of OCD, including relationship OCD, sexual intrusive thoughts, and “Pure O.” We talk about how OCD hijacks intimacy, triggers shame, and convinces people they are their thoughts—when they’re not.
Sarah explains what OCD actually is, why intrusive thoughts are so common (and so misunderstood), and the gold-standard treatment that works: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). We also discuss how to find the right therapist, red flags to watch for, and why traditional talk therapy can actually make OCD worse.
If you or someone you love has ever thought:
❌ “What if I secretly don’t love my partner?”
❌ “What if I’m attracted to the ‘wrong’ person?”
❌ “What if my thoughts mean something is deeply wrong with me?”
—this episode is the one you’ve been waiting for.
🧠 Article referenced: https://www.verywellmind.com/impact-of-ocd-on-sex-life-5086811
🌿 Connect with Sarah: https://www.hazeltoncounseling.com
Released in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Because intrusive thoughts don’t make you broken—they make you human. And help is possible.