OCD Explained: What People With OCD Want You to Know

OCD isn't about being neat and tidy, and it's not "just anxiety." In this episode, we break down what obsessive compulsive disorder actually is: what intrusive thoughts really are, what compulsions can look like, and why OCD themes can be so misunderstood. If you've ever wondered what to say (or not say) to someone with OCD, this one's for you.

This is the episode to send to family, friends, colleagues — anyone who wants to understand OCD without googling their way into misinformation.

Podcast by:

Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist

and

Jessica Hayes, Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist

Edited by Christian Nickson

Time Stamps:

00:58 Introduction to the episode

02:52 What obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) really is

04:28 Everybody gets intrusive thoughts

06:00 What compulsions can be

07:17 What do the OCD themes mean?

10:00 Don't ask what the thoughts are

12:25 OCD or anxiety? What is the difference?

19:00 Why this episode?

22:05 You don't need to understand their OCD

25:05 What someone with OCD wants you to know

26:20 What therapy for OCD does

27:09 They haven't picked this

29:30 A message for loved ones of those with OCD

32:25 Common OCD themes

38:10 Contamination and just right OCD

42:30 Which episode themes you can check out 

43:15 Goodbyes

Get in Touch:

Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us:

Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod

For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd

Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing 

Content Warnings:

We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to. 

Disclaimer:

This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.