Paul Mc Carroll on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

May 11, 2021

Paul Mc Carroll, an OCD and anxiety specialist from Belfast, shares his inspiring journey from patient to therapist. He discusses his battle with OCD and the non-linear path of recovery, echoing the Japanese proverb about resilience. Paul emphasizes the importance of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and offers practical strategies to cope with intrusive thoughts. His insights highlight the role of mindfulness and positivity in healing and reaffirm that recovery is possible, not just for himself but for many others facing similar struggles.

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ANECDOTE

From Patient to Trainer

Paul McCarroll shares his journey from being an inpatient at a mental hospital to becoming a mental health trainer there.
His struggles with OCD began in his teens and were exacerbated by an academically rigorous school environment.

INSIGHT

Recovery is a Journey

Initially, Paul was a "self-help junkie" seeking a quick fix for his mental health.
He discovered that true recovery is a non-linear journey, much like the Japanese proverb "Fall down seven times, get up eight."

INSIGHT

Mindfulness and Intrusive Thoughts

Mindfulness helps manage intrusive thoughts, a hallmark of OCD.
It shifts focus to the present moment, rather than getting caught in mental projections and worst-case scenarios.

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Paul Mc Carroll is an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety specialist, therapist, and mental health trainer from Belfast, Ireland. As someone who once struggled greatly with OCD, Paul’s story is unique: he now works as a mental health trainer in the hospital in which he was once a patient. He uses his story to inspire hope, reaffirm that recovery is possible, and help clients to stop struggling and start living.

In this episode, Paul and Eric discuss OCD, including what it is, what it’s like to suffer from it, and various treatment options that exist that can help someone to heal from this disorder.

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In This Interview, Paul Mc Carroll and I discuss Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and…

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
His experience suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) beginning in his teenage years
His truth and life story of “the wounded becomes the healer”
The Japanese proverb, “Fall down 7 times, get up 8” as it relates to recovery being non-linear
What to do with intrusive thoughts when they show up
The difference between extreme worry and OCD
Ruminating thoughts
Treatments for OCD
How somatic mindfulness ties into OCD
Ways to relate differently to our thoughts so that we suffer less

Paul Mc Carroll Links:

Paul’s Website

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