One of our own NOCD therapists, Saraa Lee, joins us on this episode of the Get to know OCD podcast. Treating OCD from a cultural lens is one of Saraa's many specialties.

She believes our culture can shape our identities as it has hers, as well as influence how we do or don't treat OCD. In this candid interview, she opens up about her challenging upbringing and offers deep insights into her approach to helping others manage OCD. Saraa leaves no stone unturned, delivering a powerful conversation about the intersection of culture and mental health.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

1:19 Saraa’s own story

7:48 Why Saraa HAD to be a therapist

9:56 What Saraa has learned from being a therapist

12:26 What happens when someone resists Saraa's therapy

17:26 Creating space to be vulnerable

21:19 Not making assumptions based on culture

25:41 OCD IS treatable

27:23 Saraa’s intrusive thoughts about race

36:50 Culture and ancestry creating distrust in therapy

45:36 ERP Therapy

49:40 Existing in the vanguard

53:19 How an OCD therapist and talk therapist differ

55:50 Saraa’s message to aspiring therapists

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

The harsh reality is this — OCD can't be cured. However, it can be treated and it can be managed through therapy, medications, and more. In this video, we quickly explain the most proven ways to treat OCD symptoms. It may feel like help isn't available, but believe us, there is and we explain in this video.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

0:37 Exposure Response Therapy

4:17 Medications

6:24 Higher Levels of Care

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Author, long-time YouTuber, peer support specialist — Chrissie Hodges is an OCD advocate in every sense of the word. She’s made advocacy her life’s work after struggling with the disorder and taboo intrusive thoughts her entire life. In this revealing interview, Chrissie gets brutally honest about OCD.

Please note: This podcast briefly mentions suicidal ideation. NOCD is not a crisis service. If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 to connect to the Suicide & Crisis Hotline.

Show Notes:

0:00 Intro

1:32 Chrissie’s Background

2:42 If OCD Was An Animal

3:53 Treatment Doesn’t Equal Cure

6:10 Relapse Is Normal

7:27 What Chrissie Wishes She Knew 25 Years Ago

13:07 Being Open About Taboo Topics

20:17 Why Chrissie Is An OCD Advocate

22:39 Being Misdiagnosed

27:25 Why Does OCD Attack Things We Love

30:35 Why OCD Is So Real

34:09 Logic Is The Problem

37:06 ERP Is Predictable

39:44 What Chrissie Wants To Be Remembered For

40:32 How OCD Has Affected Chrissie’s Family Life

44:35 Chrissy’s Advice To Those Struggling With OCD

47:51 Taboo Intrusive Thoughts

52:22 Chrissie’s OCD Gamechangers Program

54:46 Chrissie’s Advice To Herself

Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

OCD doesn't look the same from person to person. This video dives into the different forms of obsessions and compulsions. Use the chapters below to explore the specific OCD subtypes that we cover and gain a better understanding of this complex condition.

Show Notes:
0:00 Intro

0:55 Contamination OCD

2:07 Checking OCD

3:05 Pedophilic OCD

3:47 Relationship OCD

4:07 Sexual Orientation OCD

4:32 Harm OCD

5:19 Scrupulosity OCD

6:44 Perinatal OCD

7:24 Pure O OCD

7:59 Real Event OCD

8:42 Perfectionist OCD ("Just Right")

9:37 How To Treat OCD

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Actress and content creator Caroline Klidonas joins the Get to Know OCD podcast to dive into the complexities of false memory OCD. This challenging subtype of OCD can make you question your own memories and even your sense of reality. In this episode, Caroline opens up about her personal experience with false memory OCD, how she's learned to manage it, and offers insights for others facing similar struggles.

Show notes:
0:00 Intro

1:36 A Poem About OCD

2:53 False Memory OCD

7:22 Life With OCD Before Therapy

13:36 Sticking With ERP

17:28 How Real OCD Feels

20:30 Shame And Guilt Of OCD

23:00 Toughest Exposure Therapy

23:54 How OCD Interferes With Your Own Treatment

25:56 Life With OCD Post Therapy

29:40 Carolina’s New Film

33:19 Knowing OCD Will Never Go Away

37:54 “Oh I Have A Little OCD Too”

41:19 Opening Up About Taboo Thoughts

45:32 What Carolina’s Excited About

48:08 Therapy Is Not A Sign Of Weakness

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Recognizing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a crucial first step in seeking help, whether for yourself or someone you know. In this video, we detail the most common symptoms — both physical and mental — associated with OCD. Stick with us to gain valuable insights into this often misunderstood condition.

Show Notes:
0:00 Intro

1:07 Keep This In Mind

2:04 Sign #1

4:09 Safety Behaviors

5:27 Sign #2

7:28 Sign #3

9:02 Sign #4 (1/3 of people with OCD will turn to this)

10:35 Sign #5

12:21 How To Overcome OCD

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Uma Chatterjee is a leading neuroscientist and researcher specializing in OCD. She bridges her lived experience and rigorous science to understand the disorder that’s impacted her as long as she can remember. In this episode of the Get to know OCD podcast, Uma simplifies the latest OCD research and shares why she’s driven to understand the disorder as deeply as possible.

Show Notes:
0:00 Intro

2:07 If OCD Research Were A Cheese

2:53 What Drives Uma’s Research

5:40 Why OCD Research Is Difficult

7:49 Misunderstanding OCD

9:03 Breaking The Molds Of A Researcher

10:25 Explaining OCD In Simple Terms

14:48 Is OCD Genetic?

16:35 The Harm Of Pseudo-Science

20:40 Possible OCD Research Breakthroughs

24:18 Uma’s Goals

27:38 Uma’s Struggles With OCD

39:35 Evidence-Based Treatment

42:39 Dunning-Kruger Effect

47:48 Uma’s Advice To Those Affected By OCD

You can follow Uma’s latest research here: ⁠https://umarchatterjee.com/research/⁠

She also hosts her own podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/umarchatterjee

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

Does my partner truly love me? Are they really the "right one"? These questions are the norm for those struggling with relationship OCD (ROCD). If you're battling these same doubts about your relationships, this video is for you. In this explainer, we dive into the complexities of ROCD, its impact on your relationships, and ways to manage it.

Show notes:

0:33 What Is Relationship OCD?

2:17 OCD Nickname's

6:41 Overcoming Relationship OCD

9:39 ROCD's Effects On Relationship

10:57 Hope For Couples

12:24 What To Do If You Have ROCD

Follow us on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd