Living in the face of uncertainty is no small feat — especially when navigating life with a chronic condition or OCD. Dr. Ashley Smith, a psychologist and author of The Way I See It: A Psychologist’s Guide to a Happier Life, knows this journey intimately. In this episode of Get to Know OCD, she shares how she turned her own uncertain experience with vision loss into a powerful lesson in resilience and acceptance.

Through her blend of professional expertise and personal insight, Ashley explores the science of happiness, the myth of toxic positivity, and why understanding your mind’s quirks is a key to thriving. If you’ve ever felt stuck in self-doubt because of OCD or another condition, Ashley’s perspective will inspire you to embrace the hard stuff and find joy along the way.

Need help with OCD and the uncertainty it creates in your life? We’re here to help. Visit us at  https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn about our best-in-care treatment options. 

Show notes:
0:00 Intro

2:02 Ashley’s background

5:53 What is happiness 

10:16 Patrick gets personal too

13:23 Nothing is good or bad

15:10 Accepting thoughts, images, and urges

18:26 A thought is not a fact

21:20 What “I feel like” actually means 

24:46 Ashley’s book

27:42 Misconceptions around happiness 

29:01 The importance of sleep

30:00 Overactive nervous system

34:47 Are we overworked in the United States?

39:40 What Ashley wants people to get out of the book

40:48 It’s not your fault

44:28 What’s next for Ashley

48:37 How to get more from Ashley

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