O TYM ODCINKU
What happens when your intrusive thoughts end up on the page? This week we're joined by author Louis Urbanowski to talk about his experience of "Pure O" OCD, what actually helped him, and how he now uses his obsessive brain in his writing. His books feature characters with OCD.
We talk about why the "Pure O" label can be misleading, the hidden mental load of OCD, and the overlap between OCD, neurodivergence and shame.
Louis also explains how writing became a place to put intrusive thoughts, why "good enough" is okay, and how a partner can support someone with OCD. We also cover sensory differences, getting diagnosed, the jobs that suit an OCD brain, and Louis' honest reflections on wishing he'd been braver.
As always, we finish with a listener question, this week's win and the Exposure Lab.
⚠️ Content note: this episode includes discussion of suicidal thoughts (46:45). If you're struggling, contact Samaritans on 116 123 (UK, free, 24/7).
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
Featuring Louis Urbanowski, author
To Follow Louis:
https://linktr.ee/Urbwrites?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAb21jcAU5vXVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAnNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzU2NzA2NzM0MzM1MjQyNwABpxl_cisqLbDburKiLFcODOMPd1QqiUkPQpAUprJOTGqViB2vS09X4CrH6UnD_aem_ByThqUt8ymBZtrRI85wGEg
https://www.instagram.com/urbwrites?cplk=aDBidHUzYm0zZWs1
Time Stamps:
00:39 Introduction to the episode
01:42 Louis introduction to himself
04:54 Brain Spam
10:40 Writing as a place to put intrusive thoughts
13:07 Louis' OCD story
15:12 Good enough is okay
16:45 Writing and OCD
18:45 We all have different needs
22:10 The mental load of OCD
23:20 Misleading Pure O name
25:10 Spinning OCD to be useful
26:25 Neurodivergence cost
29:00 OCD, neurodivergence and shame
34:00 Using an obsessive brain
35:10 Louis changed how he wrote
37:30 Jobs for an OCD brain
39:10 Being yourself and sensory differences
40:00 Diagnoses
43:00 How a partner can support OCD
46:45 Suicidal thoughts
49:40 Louis wishes he was braver
52:07 Louis book descriptions and where to find
52:54 Listener Question
56:20 Weekly Win
58:15 Exposure Lab
1:01:20 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.
